Tool profile
StreamYard: cost, fit and limits
StreamYard is a browser-based live studio that lets hosts stream to several platforms with remote guests, branding and recordings, with AI clips and AI backgrounds listed on its higher paid plans. It is sold from a free plan upward.
What to know first
StreamYard has a Free plan plus Essential, Core and Advanced tiers priced per month or at a lower yearly rate. Essential runs from $14.99 a month on yearly billing to $18.99 monthly, Core $35.99 to $44.99 and Advanced $68.99 to $88.99. The AI features sit on Core and above. We could not read the privacy and terms pages, so data handling and company details are unconfirmed.
StreamYard at a glance
| Maker | Not stated on the vendor pages, Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free, then $14.99 per month billed yearly (Essential) |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Live Streaming Software in 2026, rank 2 of 13 |
| Website | streamyard.com |
Who StreamYard is best for
Podcast and interview hosts
Core allows 10 on-screen participants, and guests join through the browser, which removes software setup for people who appear once.
Marketers repurposing live shows
Core lists AI clips and 50 hours of permanent storage, so a team can cut highlights from a stream without a second editing tool.
Webinar organizers on a budget
Advanced lists on-air webinars with 100 viewers and 15 backstage participants, which covers small public events inside one subscription without a separate webinar product.
StreamYard plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Explore the essential features and stream with StreamYard branding. Suited to a trial run before choosing a paid tier. |
| Essential | $18.99 per month, or $14.99 per month billed yearly | Unlimited streaming, multistream to 2 destinations, Full HD 1080p, recorded live streams and unlimited local recordings. |
| Core | $44.99 per month, or $35.99 per month billed yearly | No StreamYard logo, 3 multistream destinations, 10 on-screen participants, 2-hour pre-recorded streams, 50 hours of permanent storage, AI clips and AI backgrounds. |
| Advanced | $88.99 per month, or $68.99 per month billed yearly | 4K local recordings, 8 multistream destinations, an extra camera, 15 backstage participants, 4-hour pre-recorded streams and on-air webinars with 100 viewers. |
Checked November 2026.
What StreamYard does
- Multistream by tier
- Essential sends to 2 destinations, Core to 3 and Advanced to 8, so the destination count is the main reason to move up the ladder.
- AI clips and AI backgrounds
- Both are named in the Core plan list. The pages we read do not describe how the clip selection works or what controls it offers.
- Recordings
- Live streams are recorded and local recordings are unlimited on paid plans, while Advanced adds 4K local recordings for higher-quality material in post-production. Local files stay on the host's computer.
- Layouts and branding
- Core lists 16 custom layouts and removes the StreamYard logo, which matters for businesses that want the stream to appear under their own brand without a watermark.
- Webinars and RTMP
- Advanced offers on-air webinars with 100 viewers, and Core adds custom RTMP destinations and guest destinations for platforms outside the built-in list of named services.
How StreamYard handles your data
The pricing page was the only StreamYard page we could read in full; the privacy policy and terms pages could not be read. We therefore did not verify whether customer content trains AI models, how long recordings are kept, where data is hosted or which certifications apply. The pricing page states 50 hours of permanent storage on Core. Buyers handling private or regulated content should ask StreamYard for its data practices in writing before relying on the AI features.
Where StreamYard falls short in practice
- Destination counts fill quickly. Essential allows 2 multistream destinations and Core 3, so a show that targets a fourth platform needs Advanced at $68.99 a month on yearly billing.
- Pre-recorded stream length is capped. Core limits pre-recorded streams to 2 hours and Advanced to 4 hours, which rules out a long unattended loop or an all-day replay for an event.
- Unverified data and company facts. Maker and headquarters are not stated on the pages we read, and the policy pages could not be opened, so these remain open questions for procurement.
Works with
Alternatives to StreamYard
StreamYard: common questions
Which StreamYard plan includes AI clips?
AI clips and AI backgrounds are named in the Core plan list, which costs $35.99 a month billed yearly or $44.99 billed monthly. Essential lists neither. The pages do not say how many clips Core generates, so test the clip tool in the 7-day trial on a real recording.
How many guests can appear on screen in StreamYard?
Core lists 10 on-screen participants, and Advanced adds 15 backstage participants. The Essential list does not name a participant number in the text we read. Guests join through a browser link, which keeps setup light for one-time contributors. Plan before inviting a large panel.
Does StreamYard have a free trial?
Paid plans have a 7-day free trial, according to the pricing page, and a Free plan also exists with StreamYard branding on streams. The trial is the practical way to check AI clips, since those start on Core and are not part of the Free plan.
Can StreamYard stream to custom RTMP destinations?
Core lists custom RTMP destinations and guest destinations, which extend streaming beyond the named platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and LinkedIn. Essential limits multistream to 2 destinations, so count your platforms before choosing a tier. Plan the platform list first.
How long can a pre-recorded stream be on StreamYard?
Core allows pre-recorded streams of 2 hours and Advanced allows 4 hours. Essential does not name a figure in the text we read. Anyone planning looped content or long replays should compare these caps against their longest recording. Check this before booking.