How to Stream YouTube and Facebook at the Same Time

Going live on just one platform feels like leaving part of your audience behind. You can dramatically expand your reach by broadcasting your content to both YouTube and Facebook simultaneously, and it's easier to set up than you think. This guide will walk you through exactly how to stream to YouTube and Facebook at the same time, covering both easy-to-use software and a free, more technical method.

Why You Should Stream to YouTube and Facebook at the Same Time

Before getting into the "how," it's worth understanding the "why." Simulcasting, or multistreaming, isn't just a fancy trick, it’s a powerful strategy for growing your brand, engaging your community, and maximizing the return on your content creation efforts. Think of it as opening two storefronts on the busiest streets in town instead of just one.

Here are the biggest advantages:

• Reach a Wider Audience Instantly: Your fans on Facebook aren’t always the same people subscribed to you on YouTube. By going live on both, you meet your followers where they already are, combining two separate audiences into one large, live event. You're not forcing your Facebook group to create a YouTube account, or vice versa.
• Cross-Promote Your Channels: Multistreaming subtly introduces your communities to each other. A loyal Facebook follower might discover and subscribe to your YouTube channel for more long-form content, while a YouTube viewer may join your Facebook group for more direct community interaction. It’s a natural way to grow all your platforms.
• Save Time and Effort: Creating quality live content takes time - planning, setting up your gear, and performing. Streaming to both platforms at once doubles your content output without doubling your workload. You create one stream that serves two audiences, which is incredibly efficient for creators and businesses with limited time.
• Test Platform Performance: Not sure which platform is best for your live content? Streaming to both gives you a direct, side-by-side comparison. You can analyze which platform generates more live viewers, higher engagement, or better post-stream replay views, helping you refine your strategy over time.

The Two Main Ways to Stream to YouTube and Facebook

There are two primary paths you can take to go live on multiple platforms: using dedicated multistreaming software or configuring a free broadcasting application like OBS Studio with a special plugin. We'll start with the easiest method and then move to the more hands-on approach.

Method 1: Using A Dedicated Multistreaming Platform (The Easy Way)

For most creators, the simplest and most reliable way to stream to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms is by using a cloud-based multistreaming service. These tools are designed specifically for this purpose and handle all the complicated server work for you.

Popular platforms in this category include Restream, StreamYard, and Castr. While they have different features and pricing, they all share the same core functionality.

How These Services Work

Instead of sending your stream directly from your computer to YouTube and Facebook, you send a single stream to the multistreaming service. That service then duplicates your stream and sends it out to all the platforms you've connected. This approach reduces the strain on your computer and your internet's upload speed.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using a Multistreaming Service

While the exact interface will vary between platforms, the setup process is nearly always the same. Here's a general walkthrough to get you started:

1. Create an Account: Sign up for the multistreaming service of your choice. Most offer a free plan that will work for basic streaming to your personal Facebook profile and YouTube channel. Streaming to Facebook Pages or Groups often requires a paid plan.
2. Connect Your Accounts: Navigate to the "Destinations" or "Channels" section of your dashboard. You'll see options to add various platforms. Select YouTube and log in to grant the service permission to stream to your channel. Repeat the process for Facebook.
3. Set Up Your Stream Title and Description: In your multistreaming dashboard, you can set a global title and description for your live event. The service will apply this information to both your YouTube stream and your Facebook live post automatically.
4. Choose Your Source: These services offer a few ways to get your video feed.
   • Webcam/Browser Studio: Many, like StreamYard, have a full web-based studio where you can just use your webcam, share your screen, add overlays, and invite guests - all without needing separate software.
   • Connect with OBS/Streaming Software: If you use software like OBS Studio for custom layouts and scenes, the service will provide you with a unique "Stream Key" and "RTMP URL." You'll plug these into your OBS settings just as you would for a single-platform stream.
5. Go Live! Once you’re ready, you'll hit a "Go Live" button within the multistreaming service's dashboard. It will then start broadcasting your stream to every destination channel you enabled. Voila! You're live on both YouTube and Facebook.

Method 2: Using OBS Studio and a Plugin (The Free & Technical Way)

If you're comfortable with a more technical setup and want a completely free solution, you can use OBS Studio - the most popular free broadcasting software - along with a powerful plugin to achieve the same result as the paid services.

This method requires more of your computer’s resources and more of your internet's upload bandwidth because your computer is responsible for sending out two separate streams.

What You Need

• OBS Studio: A free, open-source program for live streaming and recording. If you don't already have it, download it from the official website.
• Multiple RTMP Output Plugin: A fantastic free plugin that adds a new window to OBS, allowing you to stream to additional destinations beyond your main one.

Step-by-Step Guide to Streaming With OBS

This process takes a few more steps, but it gives you complete control over your broadcast without a monthly subscription.

Step 1: Install the Multiple RTMP Output Plugin

Head to the OBS Project forum or website, find the "Multiple RTMP outputs" plugin, and download the latest version for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Follow the standard installation instructions, which usually involve just running an installer or copying files into your OBS plugin folder.

Step 2: Find Your Stream Keys and RTMP URLs

This is the most important part. You need to tell OBS where to send your stream for each platform. You’ll need a "Stream Key" (a unique password for your channel) and an "RTMP URL" (the server address).

• For YouTube: Go to your YouTube Studio, click the "Create" button in the top right, and select "Go live." This will take you to the YouTube Live Control Room. Your RTMP Server URL and Stream Key will be displayed there. Keep this page open.
• For Facebook: Navigate to the Facebook Page or Group you want to stream to and find the "Live Video" option. On the setup screen, select "Streaming software" as your source. Your RTMP Server URL and Stream Key will be shown.

Pro Tip: Your stream key is like a password. Never share it publicly!

Step 3: Configure Your Main Stream in OBS

First, set up one of your streams as the "main" destination. Go to Settings >, Stream in OBS. Under "Service," select "YouTube - RTMPS" and click "Connect Account" for the easiest setup. Alternatively, you can select "Custom" and manually paste the Server URL and Stream Key from YouTube.

Step 4: Add Facebook as Your Second Destination

After installing the plugin, you should see a new dockable window titled "Multiple Output." If you don't see it, go to View >, Docks >, Multiple Output to enable it.

1. In the "Multiple Output" window, click "Add new target."
2. Give your new target a name, like "Facebook Stream."
3. In the fields that appear, paste the RTMP Server URL and Stream Key you got from Facebook earlier.
4. Leave the other settings at default for now. Click "OK."

Step 5: Check Your Internet Upload Speed

Before you go live, this quick check is vital. Because your computer is sending two separate video streams, you effectively need double the upload bandwidth. Go to a site like Speedtest.net and run a test. Let's say you plan to stream at a quality of 4,000 kbps (4 Mbps). To multistream successfully, you'll need at least 8 Mbps of sustained upload speed, plus a little extra buffer. Aim for at least 10-12 Mbps for a smooth experience.

Step 6: Go Live!

When you are ready to start:

1. Click "Start Streaming" in the main OBS controls. This will start your primary stream to YouTube.
2. Go to the "Multiple Output" window, find your "Facebook Stream" target, and click its "Start" button.

You are now officially streaming to both YouTube and Facebook at the same time directly from OBS!

Final Thoughts

Streaming to both YouTube and Facebook is one of the most effective ways to grow your live audience, engage your communities, and work smarter as a content creator. Whether you choose the push-button simplicity of a cloud service or the free, hands-on control of the OBS plugin method, simulcasting is an accessible strategy for everyone.

Of course, going live successfully is just one piece of your overall social media strategy. After the stream ends, the work of cutting that recording into clips for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok begins, not to mention scheduling posts to promote your next stream. After years of running marketing teams, we created Postbase to streamline that exact workflow. It allows you to plan all your social content in one visual calendar, schedule video posts across all your key platforms, and manage the flood of comments and DMs from a single inbox, so you can focus more on creating and less on juggling platforms.