What to Look for in a StreamElements Alternative?

Monetization Features

Getting viewers to your streams is great, but capitalizing on your audience is even better. 

Look for a management software that supports monetization features like donations, live ads, sponsorships, paid events, and viewer subscriptions. 

If you have a merch store, find a platform that lets you connect with it so you can promote your products and run giveaways during your streams. 

Ease of Use

If you’re new to streaming, it’s probably best to choose a streaming software that doesn’t come with a complicated setup.

Stick with a browser-based platform that includes ready-made templates, drag-and-drop controls, and built-in features for overlays, alters, and chat tools. 

The faster it takes to set up, the less you have to worry about troubleshooting technical issues down the line. 

Multistreaming Support

Don’t just rely on one channel to stream on. Not only are you putting all your eggs in one basket, but you’re risking the chance of hindering your audience from growing. 

Most streaming tools let you broadcast across multiple channels like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and Kick without having to install additional plugins. 

Choosing a software tool that already supports the platforms you’re streaming on ensures your streams are presented and edited properly. 

Customization & Branding

You don’t need all the bells and whistles to make your livestream a hit, but you do need to put in some effort to make it look recognizable whenever people join in. 

That's why, whatever software tool you use should come with customization features for your overlays, stream alters, graphics, chat commands, and overall layout. 

Because having a clean setup that matches your brand’s style usually does much better than stuffing your screen with animations and random widgets. 

Audience Engagement

You can be the most entertaining person for hours, but if you’re not engaging with your viewers, you’ll most likely see them leave before your stream is over. 

Incorporating fun, interactive features like polls, giveaways, loyalty rewards, chat tools, and live alerts lets your viewers feel like they’re a part of your stream while also acknowledging their support. 

And if you can find a software tool that includes at least 3-4 of these, you’ll save yourself a lot of time bouncing between different platforms just to keep your stream running smoothly. 

Best StreamElements Alternatives for Streamers

StreamElements Alternative #1: Streamlabs

Streamlabs is a livestreaming software designed for creators who want an easier way to manage and grow their streams from a single platform. 

It includes dozens of streaming tools and features, such as overlays, alerts, widgets, donation tools, chat moderation, and multistreaming support for platforms like Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. 

Streamers can even link their Fourthwall store and set real-time purchase alerts that trigger whenever someone buys merch from their store. It's a setup that makes your livestreams feel more interactive while promoting your products without having to mention it in the link chat. 

Features That Make Streamlabs Stand Out

• Stream on multiple platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.
• Dual Output mode lets you stream vertical and horizontal content simultaneously. 
• Customize your streams with overlays, themes, alerts, widgets, and themed layouts.
• Invite guests onto your streams with browser-based Collab Cam tools. 
• Use Cloudbot to moderate chats, run commands, and add viewer games. 
• Create custom alerts for followers, new subscribers, donations, and raids.
• Turn stream highlights into short clips for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. 
• Rearrange video, audio, chat, and event panels to fit your workflow.
• Get tutorials, guides, and livestream education resources with Streamlabs University.
• Build your own merch store or install tipping tools to help monetize your streams. 

StreamElements vs. Streamlabs 

While StreamElements offers strong cloud-based customization for your streams, it relies heavily on separate tools like OBS, which can make setup feel more technical for beginners. 

Streamlabs, on the other hand, provides an all-in-one solution that combines streaming, alerts, overlays, tipping, sponsorships, merch tools, and mobile streaming, all without additional software. 

Pricing

• Starter Plan (Free): Comes with basic overlays, stream alerts, widgets, tipping tools, limited themes, basic Cloudbot access, and one guest/camera through Colab Cam.
• Streamlabs Ultra ($27/month): Includes Dual Output, multistreaming, a full overlay library, full Cloudbot access, expanded storage, and more. 

StreamElements Alternative #2: Restream

Restream is a browser-based livestreaming platform that lets you stream to multiple channels simultaneously. 

It includes features for guest collaboration, unified chat management, analytics, and AI-powered clipping tools that help creators turn livestreams into short-form content for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

You can even customize your streams with logos, overlays, banners, and calls to action while using cross-platform chat tools to interact with viewers across multiple streaming platforms in real time.

Features That Make Restream Stand Out

• Use Restream Studio to host livestreams directly from your browser. 
• Manage messages from every streaming platform in a single chat window. 
• Invite guests, sponsors, moderators, or co-hosts onto your stream with role-based access.
• Schedule pre-recorded livestreams in advance for automated broadcasts.
• Create separate recordings for each guest with split-track recording for easy editing.
• Add custom overlays, logos, background, graphics, and branding elements to your streams.
• Track audience engagement and stream performance across all connected platforms.
• Automatically turn livestreams into short clips with AI-powered editing and vertical formatting tools. 
• Connect Restream to other streaming software such as OBS, Streamlabs, XSplit, and Ecamm. 

StreamElements vs. Restream

StreamElements focuses more on tools to customize your streams, while Restream is designed for multistreaming your broadcasts across streaming platforms. 

Though StreamElements can multistream through SE.Live, it needs to run through OBS, meaning your hardware and upload speed handle more of the workload. 

Pricing

• Free Plan ($0/month): Stream up to 2 channels at once with Restream branding included. 
• Standard Plan ($19/month): Stream up to 3 channels with Restream branding removed. Access guest channels and clips. 
• Professional Plan ($49/month): Stream up to 5 channels, stream in 108-p, record in 4K, access to dual-format streaming, and unlock split recordings. 
• Business Plan ($239/month): Stream up to 8 channels, access team workspaces, co-producer mode, and web player support. 

StreamElements Alternative #3: OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free streaming and recording software that a lot of gamers, podcasters, and content creators use to manage and edit their livestreams and recordings. 

It gives you more control over how your stream looks and runs, with tools to edit scenes, audio, overlays, transitions, and video sources. 

Though OBS does take more time to learn compared to simpler browser-based streaming tools, it is a good option if you’re looking for more control over your streaming setup and don’t mind editing your videos yourself.  

Features That Make OBS Studio Stand Out

• Free, open-source software with no subscription fees or locked features.
• Works across Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. 
• Stream directly across Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live. 
• Create custom scenes using webcams, browser windows, gameplay captures, and other media sources. 
• Set up unlimited scenes and switch between them with custom transitions.
• Audio Mixer is packed with controls for noise suppression, gain, filters, and audio balancing.
• Supports plugins, scripts, and community integrations for added customization.
• Use Studio Mode to preview scenes and edits before pushing them live.
• Customize hotkeys for switching, muting audio, starting recordings, and other stream actions. 
• Rearrange interface layout with modular dock controls to fit your workflow

StreamElements vs. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is the actual program that powers your stream, while StreamElements acts more like a companion platform that connects with OBS to help creators manage their stream features from the cloud. 

Pricing

• Free to Use ($0/month): OBS is completely free to download and offers full access to streaming, recording, and broadcasting tools.

StreamElements Alternative #4: StreamYard

StreamYard is a livestreaming app that lets you stream directly from your browser without installing any additional software. 

It focuses on making livestreaming easy with tools for guest interviews, multistreaming, webinars, and branded broadcasts that work well for podcasts, live shows, business streams, and remote guest content.

Features That Make StreamYard Stand Out

• Multistream up to 8 platforms at the same time. 
• Bring guests onto your livestreams by sending a browser link.
• Show viewer comments, questions, and chat messages during your streams.
• Customize your streams with logos, overlays, banners, backgrounds, and different layouts. 
• Record separate audio and video tracks for cleaner podcast and interview recordings.
• Use AI Clips tools to turn livestream highlights into short-form videos with captions.
• Host webinars, Q&As, podcasts, and panel discussions with StreamYard On-Air.
• Share screens, videos, and other media files during livestreams. 
• Access built-in recording, editing, and repurposing tools along with cloud storage. 

StreamElements vs. StreamYard

StreamElements and Stream Yard are built for different kinds of creators. 

While StreamElements is aimed towards gaming streamers and creators who use OBS, StreamYard is more focused on conversation-based content like podcasts, interviews, and webinars. 

Pricing

• Free Plan ($0/month): Comes with basic streaming tools along with StreamYard branding. Get up to 6 on-screen participants, and up to 2 hours of local recording a month. 
• Core Plan ($44.99/month): Includes full HD streaming, custom branding tools, AI clips, unlimited recordings, and up to 10 on-screen participants. 
• Advanced Plan ($88.99/month): Everything in the Core Plan, plus 4K local recordings, webinars, custom fonts, downloadable transcriptions, and 8 multistream destinations. 

StreamElements Alternative #5: Be.Live

Be.Live is a livestreaming platform built for creators who want to make more interactive broadcasts that keep viewers engaged while promoting products, affiliate links, or live shopping content. 

It includes tools for displaying viewer comments on screen, highlighting products during streams, adding branded visuals, and turning livestream moments into short shoppable clips that can keep driving traffic after the stream ends.

Features That Make Be.Live Stand Out

• Create livestreams that showcase products and offer shoppable content for platforms like Amazon Live.
• Customize your streams with logos, overlays, banners, background, and on-screen graphics.
• Multistream to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Amazon Live, through RTMP support. 
• Use the AI Comment Assistant to automatically display viewer comments during livestreams. 
• Add interactive widgets like lotteries, comment games, and other engagement tools during livestreams. 
• Bring guests onto your livestreams by sending them an access link. 
• Trim and edit clips from past streams using Be.Live’s video editor 
• Track audience activity to see which moments got the most engagement. 

StreamElements vs. Be.Live

The main difference between these two platforms comes down to your livestream’s purpose.

While StreamElements is typically geared toward gamers and content creators, Be.Live is built with sellers in mind, with tools and features to make your shoppable livestreams more interactive.  

Pricing

• Free Plan ($0/month): Get up to 3 streams per month, along with 2 on-screen participants. Also includes 720p streaming, on-screen graphics, and branded streams with watermarks.
• Starter Plan ($17/month): Get up to 7 streams per month, 3 multistream destinations, and 4 on-screen participants. Also comes with 30-day recording storage and custom branding tools. 
• Pro Plan ($29/month): Comes with unlimited streaming and 8 on-screen participants. Also includes 5 multistream destinations, AI Comment Assistant, 1080p streaming, and up to 60 days of recording storage.
• Growth Plan ($46/month): Unlimited stream, 10 on-screen participants, 8 multstreaming destinations, expanded team access, and up to 90 days of recording storage. 

StreamElements Alternative #6: Dacast

Dacast is a professional video streaming platform for media companies and organizations. 

Unlike simpler creator-focused streaming apps, Dacast focuses more on secure video delivery, monetization, analytics, and large-scale broadcasting for professional use cases.

It even supports both live streaming and video-on-demand hosting while giving users tools for paywalls, subscriptions, white-label video players, and audience analytics. 

Features That Make DaCast Stand Out

• Stream live events in Full HD 1080p with unlimited viewers.
• Host video-on-demand libraries with storage management.
• Monetize streams with built-in paywalls, subscriptions, and ad integrations.
• Customize video players with white-label branding.
• Secure streams with password protection and domain or country restrictions.
• Access audience analytics and detailed stream performance reports.
• Supports adaptive bitrate streaming for smoother playback on different internet speeds.
• Stream using RTMP and HLS streaming protocols across multiple devices.
• Use APIs for custom video apps, OTT platforms, and advanced integrations.
• Includes 24/7 customer support with live chat and phone assistance on select plans.

StreamElements vs. Dacast

With StreamElements, the goal is usually to grow a community around live content through viewer interaction and stream presentation. Dacast is less about “streamer culture” and more about controlling and delivering your videos professionally.

Pricing

• Starter Plan ($39/month - billed annually): Includes live streaming, 1080p broadcasting, unlimited viewers, video hosting, analytics, simulcasting, and 500 GB of storage.
• Event Plan ($63/month - billed annually): Adds live monitoring, multi-CDN delivery, scheduling tools, paywall support, and advertising integrations for live events. 
• Scale Plan ($165/month - billed annually): Includes unlimited channels, advanced library management, DRM protection, additional team members, and phone support.
• Custom Plan (Custom pricing): Enterprise-level plans with added support. Also includes migrations, integrations, custom SLAs, and tools for large-scale streaming events. 

StreamElements Alternative #7: XSplit

XSplit is a livestreaming and recording software suite designed for gamers, podcasters, and virtual event hosts who want greater control over their content. 

The platform combines streaming, screen recording, webcam tools, and scene customization into one system that works across Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations. 

It’s a popular solution for Esports broadcasts as it comes with multiple tools for multistreaming, background effects, and multi-scene production, which is helpful for managing gameplay feeds, player cameras, commentators, sponsor graphics, replays, and live transitions all during the same livestream.

Features That Make XSplit Stand Out

• Stream and record content directly on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and other streaming platforms.
• Drag, resize, and arrange media sources like videos, images, GIFs, web pages, and webcams.
• Add Zoom, Team, Discord, or Skype calls directly into livestreams. 
• Use Layout Wizard tools to quickly create podcasts, interviews, or livestream sessions.
• Remove, blur, or replace webcam backgrounds without needing a green screen.
• With XSplit Connect, you can turn your phone into a wireless webcam.
• Customize scene transitions, animations, overlays, and broadcast effects.
• Record multiple scenes and audio tracks separately for easier editing.
• Access plugins, extensions, scripts, and other customization tools. 

StreamElements vs. XSplit

StreamElements is more about improving an existing stream setup, while XSplit is built more like a complete production studio. 

Though they both help creators run better livestreams, XSplit handles the actual recording and broadcasting side directly inside the software, while StreamElements relies on OBS for streamer tools and interaction features. 

Pricing

• Free Plan ($0/month): Includes basic streaming and recording tools with support for streaming up to 720p without a watermark.
• Monthly Plan ($14.99/month): Unlocks premium features, advanced customization, and high-quality streaming tools.
• Yearly Plan ($59.99/yearly): Includes full access to premium features at a discount rate.
• Lifetime Plan (one-time payment of $199.99): Get lifetime access to all premium features and future versions of XSplit Broadcaster. 

StreamElements Alternative #8: OneStream Live

OneStream Live is a cloud-based broadcasting platform that lets creators send live or pre-recorded videos to dozens of social platforms from one place. 

It works with tools like OBS, Zoom, and XSplit, with features that let users automate their streams, build video playlists, and schedule broadcasts weeks in advance. 

Features That Make OneStream Stand Out

• Multistream live or pre-recorded videos across 45+ platforms. 
• Schedule streams in advance so you don’t have to manually start each broadcast.
• Run livestreams from your browser with guests, overlays, branding, and screen-sharing tools. 
• Stream 24/7 using looping videos and playlist-based livestreaming.
• Read and reply to comments from different platforms in one chat window.
• Embed livestreams directly to your website, blog, or online store.
• Create custom live pages with your own branding, layouts, social links, and buttons.
• Invite team members to help manage streams and broadcasts together. 
• Save old broadcasts so you can clip, reuse, or rebroadcast them later.
• Add password protection, stream analytics, and custom RTMP support for more privacy and control. 

StreamElements vs. OneStream Live

Onestream stands out because, unlike StreamElements, it's built around automation and distribution—not just the stream itself. 

Another big difference is how each platform handles workflow. Since StreamElements is heavily tied to OBS, it works better if you’re looking to actively manage your livestream, while OneStream Live is more designed for scheduling broadcasts ahead of time. 

Pricing

• Free Plan ($0/month): Access to the studio with 720p streaming. Also lets you go live on up to 2 social platforms, schedule a few streams, and store up to 1 GB of content.
• Basic Plan ($15/month): Adds 5 GB of storage, downloadable recordings, longer livestream sessions, one custom webpage, and support for streaming to up to 5 platforms at once.
• Standard Plan ($39/month): Includes 1080p streaming, teleprompter tools, more team support, 20 GB of storage, and multistreaming to up to 10 destinations. 
• Professional Plan ($49/month): Expands your setup with support for up to 30 streaming destinations, playlist streaming, password-protected streams, RTMP support, larger storage limits, and extra team access.
• Enterprise Plan: ($99/month): Access to 24/7 streaming in 1080p. Also includes up to 50 streaming destinations, 150 GB of storage, 10 team seats, and 10 custom webpages.

Turn Every Fourthwall Purchase Into a Livestream Moment 

Want to make your livestreams feel more rewarding for your viewers?

Connect your Fourthwall shop to StreamElements or Streamlabs, and you can show live alerts whenever someone buys your merch, subscribes to a membership, or supports your stream.

Customize alerts with sounds, messages, text-to-speech, and add product images so that every purchase feels like it’s part of your stream. 

It’s a fun way to keep your streams engaging while giving your viewers instant recognition every time they support your brand. 

FAQ

What is StreamElements? 

StreamElements is a cloud-based livestreaming platform that provides Twitch and YouTube streamers with tools to manage and monetize their streams.

You can choose from hundreds of free animated alerts and overlays, with additional tools for chat moderation, tipping, sponsorships, and automating your streams.  

Which streaming software is best for beginners?

Browser-based livestreaming platforms are usually easier for beginners because you don’t have to spend hours downloading software, adjusting settings, or learning complicated stream controls before going live. 

Platforms like StreamYard and Be.Live let you stream straight from your browser, invite guests with a simple link, and manage things like layouts, comments, branding, and screen sharing from one dashboard.

What streaming software do Twitch streamers use?

Many Twitch streamers use software tools like OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or XSplit because they offer plenty of overlays, alerts, multistreaming tools, and scene customization that work well for gaming and live audience interaction.

What is multistreaming? 

Multistreaming is when you livestream to multiple platforms at once, rather than just one website. 

Some streaming tools let you broadcast to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Kick, and dozens of others from a single stream setup.

It’s a useful feature to have if you’re trying to grow your audience quickly, since not everyone watches content on the same platform.