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YouTube live streaming

YouTube Live Streaming

Brand your YouTube Live and set up your stream in minutes. No tech headaches. Stream to YouTube and other platforms in one click, with every comment in one simple, unified chat

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*No credit card needed. Free plan available.
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How to live stream on YouTube with Riverside

Step 1

Set up your live YouTube studio

Open a new studio, customize it with lower thirds, backgrounds, and your own branding. You can also invite collaborators with a quick link.

Step 2

Connect your YouTube live

Link your Riverside account to YouTube in a few clicks. No URLs needed. Just select a channel to go live from each time.

Step 3

Go live

Start your YouTube live stream and keep things engaging with audience live call-ins, the chat, screen sharing, and live sound effects.

Step 4

Download your stream

Export your livestream recording. Perfect for editing and repurposing your stream into shareable clips, on-demand content, and more.

Why choose Riverside

YouTube live streams that look pro, without the production crew

Set up a YouTube stream in a click

No stream keys. No manual URLs. Just link Riverside to your YouTube channel once and go live anytime. No need to set it up again. You can even connect multiple YouTube streaming channels.

High-res YouTube streaming and recording

Go live in 1080p and record in up to 4K, directly from your device. Even if your internet lags, your YouTube live recording stays crisp. You’ll get separate audio, video and screen-share tracks.

YouTube live, styled your way

Add your logo, colors, overlays, backgrounds, and lower thirds to create a stream that looks like you. Save your setup as a preset so your YouTube live streams stay consistent every time.

Stream to YouTube and beyond

Stream to YouTube and other platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, all at once. With our omnichat, all your audience conversations stay in one place, so you never miss a message.

Live editing on the fly

Switch scene layouts mid-stream and spotlight a single speaker or show everyone in a grid. Add sound effects, music and more with the media board, all while streaming live to YouTube.

Live call-ins to boost audience engagement

Boost audience engagement and make them a real part of your YouTube live streams. Skip the chatbox and invite audience members to call in live.

Don’t just stream—create. YouTube streaming software for going live, recording, and repurposing

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*No credit card needed. Free plan available.

How to choose YouTube live streaming software

Make sure the software you choose meets the following criteria:

Easy YouTube integration

Choose software that connects seamlessly to YouTube and all without needing to setup anew each time.

Multistreaming

Grow your audience and opt for streaming software that lets you go live on YouTube as well as other platforms simultaneously.

High-resolution recording

Record your YouTube streams in high-quality so you can repurpose them and share them on demand.

Screen sharing

Make sure you can share your screen for any game play lives or how-to tutorials.

‍Audience engagement tools

Look for features like live chat, call-ins, and a soundboard to make every session memorable.

Customization and live effects

Choose software with live effects and layout customization for a more professional stream.

Use a YouTube live streaming software to:

Share your gaming sessions

Share your gameplay with smooth screen sharing, branded overlays, and live chat with viewers across platforms. Engage your audience with the Omnichat and clip the best moments to turn them into YouTube Shorts.

Host a live YouTube podcast

Host your podcast live on YouTube with up to 9 guest speakers and real-time audience call-ins. Add sound effects and brand your stream live, while capturing everything in top-quality audio and video.

Run live events

Level up your marketing live webinars, Q&As and product demos on YouTube. Add your own branding, share your screen and capture every moment for follow-ups or replays.

Vlog in real time

Take your audience behind the scenes with live YouTube vlogs. Chat with your viewers in real-time and spice things things up with live sound effects.

When you have 19 million people listening in every month, anything less than perfect is out of the question.
Why Guy Raz chooses Riverside ->

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is YouTube live streaming free?

Yes, you can live stream on YouTube for free. You’ll need to have a verifiable account, and your YouTube channel must be in good standing. 

But, YouTube Studio’s native streaming tools are fairly basic. To make lives more engaging with branding or effects, stream to YouTube from dedicated software like Riverside.

Do you need 1000 subscribers on YouTube to live stream?

No, but if you’re recording on your phone, having less than 1000 followers could limit your audience views. If you’re stuck in this situation, you could always live stream on Riverside with up to 1000 audience members, live call-ins all the tools you need for a professional YouTube video.

What is the best streaming software for YouTube?

The best streaming software for YouTube depends on your needs. 

If you’re a podcaster or video creator, then Riverside is a top option. You can live stream to multiple platforms while recording your stream in up to 4K resolution. With its wide array of automated editing tools, you can repurpose your content in minutes.

If you’re a gamer, you may need a bit more of a technical setup. In this case, you may choose something like OBS. But be warned, this is best for advanced live streamers.  Riverside is better for brands and solo creators who want pro-quality streams without the steep learning curve.

If you want to know more options, check our full guide to the best live streaming software for creators.

What do I need for live streaming on YouTube?

To live stream on YouTube you'll need at least:

  • A verified YouTube account
  • Stable internet connection
  • Equipment like a webcam and a microphone. 

And while you can stream directly on YouTube, if you want more customization, then we suggest you get dedicated streaming software too. You’ll need to connect the software to your YouTube channel. But, you’ll have more options to add overlays, live edit, and make your stream yours. (Luckily, with Riversid,e setting up is super easy.)

For a step-by-step guide on all you need, check out our full tutorial on how to livestream to YouTube.

What is the highest YouTube live streaming quality?

The YouTube mobile app limits live streaming to 1080p max in most cases. But, if you use an encoder, YouTube supports live streaming up to 4K (2160p) at 60 fps. To broadcast at this level, you’ll need a fast, stable internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 50 Mbps. You will also need a webcam or camera that supports this resolution.

You can check our guide to learn more on how to improve your streaming quality.

Record. Stream. Edit. All in one place.

Start creating with Riverside.

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