How to Stream to Twitch and Facebook

Streaming to multiple platforms at the same time is one of the fastest ways to grow your audience, and it's simpler to set up than you might think. By going live on both Twitch and Facebook, you can tap into two distinct communities, broaden your reach, and build a stronger brand. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up your multistream, manage both communities effectively, and create engaging content that resonates with viewers on both platforms.

Why Stream to Both Twitch and Facebook?

Going live on both platforms, often called "multicasting" or "simulcasting," isn't just about doubling your potential viewership, it’s about strategic growth. Each platform serves a different purpose and audience.

• Expanded Reach: Twitch is the heart of the gaming world, but Facebook has billions of users who follow creators, pages, and groups. Streaming to both lets you connect with dedicated gamers on Twitch while also reaching a broader, more casual audience on Facebook that includes friends, family, and local communities.
• Audience Discovery: Your existing network on Facebook is a powerful launching pad. When you go live, your friends and followers are notified, giving you an immediate starting audience that can be difficult to build from scratch on Twitch.
• Content Diversification: The casual, community-focused environment of Facebook is great for chatty, "just hanging out" streams, while Twitch excels with gameplay and skill-based content. Multistreaming lets you cater to both, building different types of connections with your viewers.
• Reduced Platform Reliance: Building your brand across multiple platforms means you aren't completely dependent on one algorithm or one set of rules. You own your community, not the platform.

The Toolkit: What You Need to Get Started

Before you go live, you’ll need a few essential tools. If you're already streaming to one platform, you likely have most of this ready.

• A Stable Internet Connection: Upload speed is the most important factor. For a smooth 1080p stream to two platforms, an upload speed of at least 10-15 Mbps is recommended. You can check your speed at Speedtest.net. A wired connection is always more reliable than Wi-Fi.
• Decent Hardware: You don't need a supercomputer, but your PC should be powerful enough to handle encoding a video stream while you're gaming or running other applications. A modern multi-core processor (like a recent Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7) and a dedicated graphics card are standard.
• Streaming Software: OBS Studio is the free, open-source industry standard. It's powerful, customizable, and what we'll be focusing on in this guide. Other options like Streamlabs OBS or XSplit are also popular.
• A Webcam and Microphone: Viewers connect with you. A clear microphone and a decent webcam (even a good smartphone camera can work in a pinch) make your stream feel more personal and professional.

Method 1: Using a Restreaming Service (The Easiest Way)

For most streamers, a dedicated restreaming service is the simplest and most reliable way to broadcast to Twitch and Facebook simultaneously. These services take your single stream from OBS and distribute it to all your connected accounts. Companies like Restream.io and StreamYard are popular choices.

Here’s the general process:

Step 1: Set Up Your Restreaming Account

Go to the restreaming service of your choice and create an account. Most offer a free tier that allows streaming to two platforms like Twitch and a Facebook personal profile. Streaming to Facebook Pages or Groups often requires a paid subscription.

Step 2: Connect Your Twitch and Facebook Accounts

Inside your dashboard, you'll see an option to "Add Channel" or "Add Destination."

1. Click it and select Twitch. You'll be prompted to log in and authorize the service to stream to your account.
2. Do the same for Facebook. You’ll log in and give the service permission to stream to your profile, a Page you manage, or a Group you're an admin of.

Once connected, you should see both Twitch and Facebook listed as active destinations.

Step 3: Get Your Unique Stream Key

The restreaming service will give you a single "Stream Key" and an "RTMP URL." This is what you'll use to connect OBS to their servers. Think of it as the mailing address for your stream. Copy this stream key securely.

Step 4: Configure OBS Studio

1. Open OBS Studio and go to File > Settings > Stream.
2. For the "Service" dropdown, select your restreaming provider (e.g., Restream.io). If it isn't listed, choose "Custom."
3. Paste the RTMP URL into the "Server" field and your unique Stream Key into the "Stream Key" field.
4. Click "Apply" and "OK."

Step 5: Go Live!

With everything configured, simply hit the "Start Streaming" button in OBS. Your video feed is now being sent to the restreaming service, which in turn broadcasts it to both your Twitch channel and your Facebook page. You’re live everywhere!

Pros and Cons of a Restreaming Service

• Pros: Incredibly easy to set up, manages all the technical lifting, often includes a unified chat tool to see messages from both platforms in one window. Many platforms allow updating the titles on all platforms directly from their dashboard.
• Cons: Can have a monthly cost for premium features (like streaming to Facebook Pages), adds a third party into your workflow, and some free tiers may include a small watermark.

Method 2: Using an OBS Plugin (The Free, DIY Way)

If you're comfortable with a slightly more technical setup and want to avoid monthly fees, you can stream directly from OBS to multiple platforms using a free plugin. The most popular one is the "Multiple RTMP Outputs" plugin for OBS.

This method requires a more powerful internet connection, as your computer will be sending out two separate streams instead of just one.

Step 1: Find and Install the Plugin

Search online for "OBS Multiple RTMP outputs plugin" and download it from the official OBS Project forum or its GitHub page. Follow the installation instructions, which usually involve copying the plugin files into your OBS installation directory.

After installing and restarting OBS, you should see a new dock window titled "Multiple Outputs."

Step 2: Configure Your Main Stream to Twitch

Just like you normally would, set up your primary stream to go to Twitch.

1. Go to File > Settings > Stream.
2. Select "Twitch" as the service, connect your account (the recommended way), and choose a server.
3. Hit "Apply" and "OK."

Your main "Start Streaming" button in OBS is now coded for Twitch.

Step 3: Get Your Facebook Stream Key and RTMP Server

1. Go to the Facebook Live Producer dashboard.
2. Click "Create Livestream" and choose the "Streaming Software" option.
3. Facebook will generate a unique Server URL and Stream Key for this specific stream. Keep this window open! You'll need it. Note that Facebook stream keys often reset after each broadcast.

Step 4: Add Facebook as a New Target in the Plugin

In the new "Multiple Outputs" window in OBS, click "Add new target."

1. Give it a name, like "Facebook Live."
2. Copy the Server URL from the Facebook Live Producer page and paste it into the "RTMP Server" field.
3. Copy the Stream Key from Facebook and paste it into the "RTMP Key" field.
4. Leave the video and audio settings on "Get from OBS," as this tells the plugin to just duplicate your main stream.
5. Click "OK."

Step 5: Go Live!

This is now a two-step process:

1. Click the main "Start Streaming" button in OBS. This sends your stream to Twitch.
2. In the "Multiple Outputs" dock, click the "Start" button next to your "Facebook Live" target. This sends the second stream to Facebook.

You are now officially streaming to both platforms directly from your computer!

Pros and Cons of the Plugin Method

• Pros: Completely free, gives you direct control over your broadcast, no third-party branding.
• Cons: Requires more upload bandwidth, setup is more complex, and you'll need a separate solution for monitoring both chats.

Engaging Two Audiences at Once

Going live is only half the battle. Now you have to manage two different communities at the same time. This is where a good streamer builds a loyal following.

1. Centralize Your Chat

Jumping between two browser tabs to read chat is a recipe for missing messages and feeling disconnected. Use a unified chat application. Most restreaming services have one built-in. If you're using the plugin method, standalone tools like Streamlabs's "The Jar" view or various mobile apps can combine chats into a single, manageable feed.

2. Talk to Everyone

Make a habit of acknowledging both audiences. A simple callout like, "Welcome to everyone tuning in from Facebook, and hello to my regulars on Twitch!" makes everyone feel included. When someone follows, subs, or interacts, shout them out by specifying the platform: "Thanks for the Prime sub on Twitch, John!" or "Appreciate the share on Facebook, Sarah!"

3. Tailor Your Titles and Notifications

What works as a title on Twitch might not get as much traction on Facebook. Customize your going-live announcements for each platform.

• Twitch: Focus on concise, keyword-rich titles. Mention the game you’re playing, what you're trying to achieve (e.g., "First Playthrough! | Elden Ring"), and maybe something about your community.
• Facebook: Be more conversational and use relevant hashtags. An announcement like "Going LIVE! 🔥 I'm finally tackling that impossible boss in Elden Ring. Come hang out and see if I can do it! #eldenring #gaming #livestream" performs well.

4. Leverage Platform Strengths

Encourage platform-specific interactions. On Twitch, you can talk about Prime subscriptions, hype trains, or channel points. On Facebook, promote sharing the stream to related groups or getting Stars, Facebook's virtual currency tip. This makes your audience members feel like they are part of a unique group instead of being one big, anonymous pool.

5. Plan Your Post-Stream Strategy

Don't let your content disappear after the stream ends. Facebook archives all livestreams as videos on your page automatically. Use them! Use Twitch's VODs and clips too, saving your best moments. A strong post-stream strategy involves editing stream highlights into short-form videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts which will drive even broader organic brand growth.

Final Thoughts

Streaming to both Twitch and Facebook is a fantastic strategy to grow faster by tapping into different communities at once. Whether you opt for the user-friendly approach of a restreaming service or the technical control of an OBS plugin, you now have the tools and a roadmap to get it all up and working.

Once your stream ends, the work of growing your brand continues with clips, highlights, and updates across all your social channels. That’s why we built Postbase. We wanted a clean, modern way to take all that amazing stream content and schedule it across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and more without the hassle of logging into each platform one-by-one. It helps you keep your audience engaged and grow your community, even when you're not live.