Restream

Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Restream

A curated collection of the 2 best self hosted alternatives to Restream.

Restream is a live-streaming SaaS that lets users broadcast live video simultaneously to multiple platforms (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, etc.). It provides a browser-based studio, scheduling, chat aggregation, and analytics to expand reach and manage streams.

Alternatives List

#1
Restreamer

Restreamer

Restreamer is a web UI for ingesting live video (RTMP/SRT/HTTP), optionally transcoding with FFmpeg, and restreaming to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or custom RTMP targets.

Restreamer screenshot

Restreamer (by datarhei) is a self-hosted live streaming relay that receives a live input stream, optionally transcodes it, and forwards it to one or more outputs. It focuses on making common streaming workflows easy through a browser-based UI while still exposing an API and Docker-first deployment.

Key Features

  • Ingest live streams via RTMP and other supported protocols (via the underlying streaming engine)
  • Restream/relay to multiple destinations (e.g., YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook Live, custom RTMP endpoints)
  • Optional transcoding and re-encoding using FFmpeg (e.g., bitrate/codec changes)
  • Browser-based management UI for configuring inputs/outputs and monitoring status
  • Docker-based deployment with persistent configuration and simplified updates
  • HTTP API for automation and integration with external systems
  • Designed to run on modest servers and edge devices, depending on transcoding load

Use Cases

  • Mirror one live stream to multiple platforms simultaneously
  • Receive RTMP from OBS and forward it to a CDN/ingress point over a controlled network path
  • Centralize live stream routing/transcoding for events, churches, classrooms, or community broadcasters

Limitations and Considerations

  • Transcoding is CPU/GPU intensive; capacity depends heavily on FFmpeg settings and available hardware acceleration

Restreamer is a practical option when you need a controllable, web-managed live streaming “hub” that can ingest a stream once and distribute it to many destinations. It is especially useful for simple restreaming setups and small-to-medium live production workflows that benefit from Docker deployment and API control.

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#2
AzuraCast

AzuraCast

All-in-one web radio suite for managing stations, scheduling shows, and streaming to listeners via a modern web UI and APIs.

AzuraCast screenshot

AzuraCast is an open-source, self-hosted web radio management suite that helps you run one or more online radio stations from a web interface. It bundles streaming, automation, media management, and listener-facing pages into a Docker-based platform.

Key Features

  • Multi-station management with per-station configuration, users, and permissions
  • Built-in automation via Liquidsoap and DJ tools; supports playlists, scheduling, and time-based rotations
  • Icecast and SHOUTcast (via Shoutcast-compatible endpoints) streaming support with mountpoints/ports
  • Web-based media library with uploads, organization, and playlist assignment
  • Station public pages with embedded web player, stream URLs, and basic station metadata
  • Live broadcasting support for external encoders (e.g., BUTT, Mixxx) with source/DJ authentication
  • Listener analytics and reports (e.g., listener counts, peak listeners, song history)
  • REST API for station data/now playing integration plus webhooks for event-driven integrations
  • Docker and Docker Compose-based deployment with guided installer and upgrades

Use Cases

  • Running a community or campus radio station with scheduled shows and live DJ sets
  • 24/7 “automated radio” for a brand, venue, or hobby project with rotating playlists
  • Hosting multiple niche stations (different genres/languages) on a single server

Limitations and Considerations

  • Streaming/encoding and storage needs scale with concurrent listeners and media size; large stations may require careful resource planning.
  • Some advanced broadcast workflows may still require external encoder/DJ software for live shows.

AzuraCast is best suited for individuals and organizations that want an integrated, web-managed radio stack without assembling separate streaming, automation, and management components. Its Docker-first approach and mature ecosystem make it a common choice for modern self-hosted web radio deployments.

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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running