This guide compares eight ways to run a 24/7 live stream from a playlist of pre-recorded videos: 247 LiveStream, Castr, Gyre, LiveReacting, OBS on a VPS, OneStream, Restream and Upstream. Prices and limits come from each vendor's own pricing and help pages, checked in October 2026. 247 LiveStream publishes this guide and sells one of the eight tools, so every claim below names the plan it comes from.
💡 Quick takeaway
- Our view, the most balanced choice for a 24/7 channel: LiveReacting. Setup takes the same four steps as on Upstream or Gyre: upload your videos, build the playlist, connect your channel, go live. Then the computer can be off. The same plan also includes, at no extra cost: automatic restart on another server if one fails, scheduling at any gap, playlist changes while live, live camera inserts, YouTube ad slots, free video encoding, and API and MCP control for AI agents. $39.99 a month, or $33 a month billed yearly. New customers pay $21.99 a month for the first 5 months, or $23.99 a month for the first year billed yearly.
- Lowest price for one simple playlist channel: 247 LiveStream, $16 a month, or $14 billed yearly.
- Lowest standard price among the larger tools: Upstream, $30 a month, or $24 billed yearly, with 24 free hours a month.
- Entry plans that do not run a looping playlist channel: Gyre's $49 Start plan has no playlists. Castr loops only from Premium at $199.99. OneStream runs 24/7 for up to 30 days at a time, to YouTube only. Restream stops a looped video after 40 hours.
The eight options at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream | Longest continuous run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 247 LiveStream | Low-cost 24/7 playlists | $16 ($14 billed yearly) | No time limit |
| Castr | Linear TV-style channels with a large budget | $199.99 (Premium) | Infinite Loop: no end date; TV playout loop: 15 days on Premium |
| Gyre | Many HD streams on YouTube from one plan | $99 (Start+) | No limit set by Gyre |
| LiveReacting | 24/7 channels that want simple setup now and room to grow, at one price | $39.99 ($33 billed yearly) | No limit set by LiveReacting |
| OBS + VPS | Full control, if you can run a server | $15 to $60 for the VPS | As long as your server and OBS keep running |
| OneStream | Pre-recorded YouTube streams up to 30 days | $45 without playlists, $79 with playlists | 30 days in a row, YouTube only |
| Restream | Marathons under 40 hours, plus live multistreaming | $79 (Marathon add-on) | 40 hours, at most 10 loops |
| Upstream | One continuous stream with free hours to test | $30 ($24 billed yearly) | No time limit |
Prices checked October 2026. US dollars per month, billed monthly, for one stream. LiveReacting offers new customers $21.99 a month for the first 5 months on monthly billing, or $23.99 a month for the first year on yearly billing; after that, the standard price applies.
Features side by side
"Not documented" means we found no page from the vendor that says so, so we are not sure. "Not checked" means we did not check it.
| Feature | 247 LiveStream | Castr | Gyre | LiveReacting | OBS + VPS | OneStream | Restream | Upstream |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free option | Build and test for free | 7-day Starter trial (no loop) | 7-day trial, 1 HD stream, watermark | Free plan: 3 streams a month, 30 min, 720p | OBS is free; the server is not | Free plan, no 24/7 | Free multistream plan; no free 24/7 | 24 hours a month, every feature |
| Playlists | Yes | From Premium | From Start+ ($99) | Every plan | VLC source you set up | From Professional + add-on ($79) | Marathon or Media add-on; playlists do not loop | Yes, with shuffle |
| Change the playlist while live | Yes | TV playout: upcoming items only | Not documented | Yes | By hand on the server | Not documented | No, only before it goes live | Yes |
| Destinations for the 24/7 stream | YouTube, Twitch, Kick or any RTMP | Up to 20 on Premium (multistream limit) | 7 named platforms plus RTMP | Several at once, plus any RTMP | Any RTMP | YouTube only | Not checked | Up to 10 at once, RTMP or SRT |
| Resolution | 1080p, 30 fps | TV playout 720p30 below Ultra | 1080p60 on Start | 1080p30; 60 fps and 4K cost extra | What your server can encode | Not checked | 4K on the Media add-on | 1080p30; 60 fps and 4K on higher plans |
| Storage | 100 GB | 10 GB of pre-recorded uploads on Premium | 75 GB on Start+ | 100 GB per stream | Your server's disk | 1 to 150 GB by plan; files deleted after 30 to 180 days | 4 hours of video on Marathon | 100 GB per stream |
| API | Not listed | From Premium | Not documented | Every paid plan, plus an MCP server | Not checked | Not documented | Yes, plus an MCP server | Every plan, plus an MCP server |
| Polls or trivia inside a 24/7 stream | No | Not documented | Not documented | Yes | Only what you build | Not documented | Not documented | Third-party widgets only |
| On YouTube's verified-encoder list | No | No | Yes | No | Yes (OBS) | No | Yes | Yes |
Prices and features checked October 2026 on each vendor's own pages.
An MCP server lets an AI assistant, such as Claude or ChatGPT, control the streams for you. YouTube's verified-encoder list is a list of software that YouTube has tested. A tool that is not on it can still stream to YouTube with a stream key.
247 LiveStream
247 LiveStream is a cloud service for one job: a playlist of recorded videos that stays live without a stop.
- Best for: one or more simple 24/7 playlists on a low budget.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $16, or $14 a month billed yearly ($168). Each extra stream costs the same.
- Longest continuous run: no time limit.
- Playlists: yes, with order, shuffle and loop.
Pros
- The lowest price per stream of the cloud tools here, with playlists included.
- Change, add or reorder videos while the stream is live.
- 100 GB of media storage and audio up to 320 kbps.
- Streams to YouTube, Twitch, Kick or any RTMP destination, and reconnects to YouTube on its own if the link drops.
- You can build and test a stream for free before you pay.
Cons
- 1080p at 30 fps only. No 60 fps or 4K on the plan.
- Not on YouTube's verified-encoder list.
- No interactive elements, guests or live camera in the stream.
- No free streaming hours: a stream that stays live needs the paid plan. Upstream gives 24 free hours a month.
- No API, scheduler or multistreaming listed on the plan.
Castr
Castr sells two different 24/7 products: pre-recorded streams with an Infinite Loop, and TV playout, a timetable of videos with breaks.
- Best for: broadcasters who want a TV-style channel, their own video player and a program guide.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $199.99 on Premium ($166.67 billed yearly). Loop mode starts on Premium. Starter ($19.99) and Standard ($49.99) have no loop.
- Longest continuous run: a pre-recorded Infinite Loop streams 24x7 with no end date. TV playout loops up to 15 days ahead on Premium, and 30 days on Ultra ($349.99) and Events ($749.99).
- Playlists: a pre-recorded stream takes up to 10 MP4 files on Premium; a TV playout takes up to 30 files.
Pros
- Its own HTML5 player and video hosting on every plan.
- A paywall, VAST pre-roll ads in its player from Standard, and a program guide over its API from Premium.
- You can insert a live stream into the playout timetable.
- HLS output from Premium and SRT input on every plan.
Cons
- The most expensive way in this list to keep a stream looping.
- TV playout output is 720p at 30 fps below Ultra.
- Pre-recorded streams take MP4 files only.
- Not on YouTube's verified-encoder list.
Gyre
Gyre is a 24/7 streaming service built around YouTube.
- Best for: YouTube channel networks that run several HD streams from one plan.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $99 on Start+, the first plan with playlists. Start at $49 has no playlists and no scheduler. Paying 12 months ahead saves 17%.
- Longest continuous run: no limit set by Gyre.
- Playlists: from Start+.
Pros
- Start+ covers up to 4 HD streams, or 1 in 4K. PRO+ ($169) covers 8 HD streams, or 2 in 4K.
- 1080p at 60 fps on every plan, plus 5.1 surround sound, 360° and vertical streams.
- Connects to YouTube and creates each broadcast for you, with its title, description and thumbnail.
- A video converter on every paid plan.
- On YouTube's verified-encoder list.
Cons
- $99 before you get a playlist, so one programmed stream costs more than on most tools here.
- Less storage: 35 GB on Start, 75 GB on Start+.
- Not documented: editing the playlist while live, interactive elements, an API.
- The 7-day trial streams at 1080p30 with a watermark.
LiveReacting
LiveReacting is a cloud streaming studio with a 24/7 plan. For a basic looping channel, the steps are the same as on Upstream or Gyre:
- Upload your videos, or import them from Google Drive, Dropbox or a YouTube channel.
- Build the playlist: in order, shuffled, or one video on loop.
- Connect your channel and go live.
- Close the browser and switch the computer off. The stream stays on air.
The difference shows when the channel needs more: the same plan includes the extra tools, so you do not add a second service later.
- Best for: 24/7 channels that want simple setup now and room to grow, at one price.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $39.99, or $33 a month billed yearly. New customers pay $21.99 a month for the first 5 months on monthly billing, or $23.99 a month for the first year on yearly billing. After that, the standard price applies.
- Longest continuous run: no limit set by LiveReacting. The platform's own limits apply.
- Playlists: on every plan, the Free plan included.
Pros
- Multi-cloud failover: if the server that runs a stream stops answering, the stream starts again on another server by itself.
- Stream servers in several data centers in Europe and the US. Video files are kept in two storage services, and the stream switches to the other one if one fails.
- Reconnects by itself when the link to a platform drops, and skips a broken video file instead of playing it.
- Ready for AI agents: an API and an MCP server on every paid plan, so your code or an AI assistant can create, schedule and change a stream while it is live. Upstream has an API and an MCP server too.
- Included in the same plan when you need more: scheduling on several dates or at any gap, with reruns that start over or continue where the last one stopped; changes to the playlist, music or overlays while live; a cut to a live camera or a guest, then back to the playlist; YouTube ad slots placed in the playlist; free video encoding with no limit; a chat overlay; and 100 GB of storage per stream.
- Polls and trivia that viewers answer in the live chat, on a 24/7 stream.
Cons
- At the standard price, Upstream is cheaper: $30 against $39.99 for one stream, and $24 against $33 billed yearly.
- Not on YouTube's verified-encoder list.
- The promotional price is for new customers only, and it renews at the standard price.
- HLS and SRT output and SCTE-35 ad markers are on the Custom plan only, by request. They are not in the 24/7 plan.
- No program guide (EPG). Castr has one.
- The Free plan is limited to 3 streams a month of 30 minutes, at 720p, with a watermark.
OBS + VPS
OBS Studio is free encoder software. On a VPS (a virtual private server, a computer you rent in a data center), it can stream a playlist all day.
- Best for: people who want full control and can maintain a server.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: about $15 to $60 for the VPS. OBS is free.
- Longest continuous run: as long as the server and OBS keep running.
- Playlists: with the VLC Video Source, set to loop. VLC must be installed.
Pros
- No vendor limits on length, destinations or overlays.
- Any scene, overlay or browser source you can build in OBS.
- OBS is on YouTube's verified-encoder list.
Cons
- You install, update and restart OBS and the server yourself, over remote desktop.
- A crash, a full disk or a system update can stop the stream until you notice it.
- A small VPS may be too weak to encode 1080p without dropped frames, so the cheapest server is not always enough.
Our guide to streaming video from a server covers this setup step by step.
OneStream
OneStream is a multistreaming service that sells 24/7 streaming as an add-on.
- Best for: pre-recorded YouTube streams that end within 30 days, for teams that already use OneStream for live shows.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $45 with Basic ($15) and the $30 24/7 add-on, but Basic has no playlists. With playlists, it is $79: Professional ($49) and the add-on. Billed yearly, that is $69 a month. Enterprise ($99) includes three 24/7 streams.
- Longest continuous run: 30 days in a row, to YouTube only.
- Playlists: from Professional.
Pros
- Three 24/7 streams for $99 on Enterprise.
- Many guests and destinations for live shows: up to 16 guests and 50 destinations at the top plan.
- Streams into an event you set up in YouTube Studio.
- A backup stream key for live encoders.
Cons
- A 24/7 stream stops after 30 days and goes to YouTube only.
- Uploads are deleted after 30 to 180 days, by plan.
- Takes MP4, MOV and M4V files only.
- Not documented: editing the stream while it is on air, interactive elements, an API.
- Not on YouTube's verified-encoder list. One OneStream help guide says 24/7 needs the Enterprise plan; the pricing page sells it as an add-on. We follow the pricing page.
Restream
Restream is a multistreaming service. Pre-recorded streaming is a separate add-on called Upload & Stream.
- Best for: live shows to many platforms, plus marathons of recorded video under 40 hours.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $79 a month for the Marathon add-on, the first one with playlists and looping. Monthly billing only.
- Longest continuous run: one looped video can play up to 10 times, for at most 40 hours. A playlist runs for 24 hours at most and does not loop.
- Playlists: on Marathon and Media, up to 40 videos.
Pros
- Multistreaming of a live show to 30+ platforms with one chat, and a Free plan that multistreams to 2 channels.
- Built-in live polls in its Studio for live shows.
- AI clips, an API and an MCP server.
- On YouTube's verified-encoder list.
Cons
- Not a 24/7 tool on a self-serve plan: streams longer than 24 hours need a custom plan from sales.
- Videos can be changed only before a playlist goes live.
- A 4-hour video library on Marathon.
- Files must be MP4, MOV, M4V or MKV in H.264 and AAC.
Upstream
Upstream is a cloud service for 24/7 and scheduled streams of pre-recorded video.
- Best for: one continuous stream, with free hours to test before you pay.
- Monthly cost of a 24/7 stream: $30 for one stream at 1080p30, or $24 a month billed yearly. $50 for 2 streams, $70 for 3, then $20 a stream from 4. 1080p60 costs $40.
- Longest continuous run: no time limit on paid plans. The free plan gives 24 hours a month.
- Playlists: yes, with shuffle, and separate audio and video playlists.
Pros
- A free plan with 24 hours a month, no watermark and every feature.
- Changes to the playlist apply while the stream is live.
- Live Studio puts a webcam, OBS or up to 10 guests over the playlist.
- Daily and weekly schedules, YouTube ad cue points, and a restart before Twitch's 48-hour cap.
- API and MCP server on every plan, the free plan included. On YouTube's verified-encoder list.
Cons
- Re-encoding of uploaded files uses a metered balance of time.
- Interactive elements: third-party widgets only.
- For one stream, it costs more than 247 LiveStream: $30 against $16.
Which tool fits which need
| If you need | Look at |
|---|---|
| The lowest price for one playlist stream | 247 LiveStream ($16), Upstream ($30) |
| Free hours to test a 24/7 stream | Upstream (24 hours a month) |
| Many streams for one price each | 247 LiveStream ($16 each), Upstream ($20 each from 4) |
| Several HD YouTube streams on one plan | Gyre (Start+ or PRO+) |
| Polls or trivia on a 24/7 stream | LiveReacting |
| Playlist changes while the stream is live | 247 LiveStream, LiveReacting, Upstream |
| Guests or a live camera over a playlist | Upstream, LiveReacting |
| 60 fps or 4K | Gyre, Upstream, LiveReacting (paid upgrade) |
| An API or AI agent control | Upstream, LiveReacting, Restream |
| A listing on YouTube's verified-encoder list | Gyre, Upstream, Restream, OBS |
| A TV-style channel with your own player, paywall or program guide | Castr |
| HLS, SRT or SCTE-35 output for a broadcaster | LiveReacting (custom plan), Castr (HLS from Premium) |
| Live shows to many platforms, with recorded video now and then | Restream, OneStream |
| Full control and no vendor limits | OBS + VPS |
Prices checked October 2026.
Which one to pick
Our view: LiveReacting is the most balanced choice for a 24/7 channel that should be simple to start and still have room to grow. The basic setup is as short as on Upstream or Gyre, and the price is close. The same plan adds automatic restart on another server, scheduling at any gap, changes while live, live camera inserts, YouTube ad slots and free encoding, so you do not need a second tool later. At standard prices, Upstream is cheaper: $30 against $39.99 a month.
For other needs, other tools fit better:
- The lowest price for one simple playlist channel: 247 LiveStream, at $16 a month.
- The lowest standard price for a scheduled channel with live inserts, plus free hours to test: Upstream.
- A tool on YouTube's verified-encoder list: Gyre, Upstream or Restream.
- Several HD YouTube streams on one plan: Gyre Start+.
- A broadcast channel with a program guide (EPG) and your own player: Castr.
- Full control on your own server: OBS + VPS.
How we compared
For each tool, we priced the cheapest plan that keeps a pre-recorded stream live without a stop, not the cheapest plan on the pricing page. We read every price and limit on the vendor's own pages in October 2026. Prices change, so check them before you buy. Our homepage has a shorter comparison table of the same eight options.
If you also want tools for one-time live shows, such as desktop encoders and browser studios, read our guide to YouTube live stream software.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best software for 24/7 live streaming?
There is no single best tool. It depends on your budget, the platforms you stream to and the features you need. In our view, LiveReacting is the most balanced choice for a channel that should be simple to start and have room to grow. Upstream is cheaper at standard prices, and 247 LiveStream costs the least for one simple playlist. The table "Which tool fits which need" above matches needs to tools.
What is the cheapest way to run a 24/7 live stream?
OBS on a computer you already own costs only electricity, but the computer must stay on every hour of every day. Of the cloud tools here, 247 LiveStream costs $16 a month per stream, and Upstream $30.
Is there free 24/7 live streaming software?
OBS is free, but it needs a computer or a server that runs all the time. Upstream's free plan gives 24 hours of streaming a month. We found no cloud tool here with a free plan that keeps a stream live without a stop.
Can Restream stream 24/7?
Not on a self-serve plan. Its help centre says a looped video can play up to 10 times, for at most 40 hours, and its playlists do not loop. Longer streams need a custom plan from sales.
Can OneStream stream 24/7 to Twitch?
No. OneStream's 24/7 streams go to YouTube only, for up to 30 days in a row.
Do I need OBS to run a 24/7 YouTube live stream?
No. A cloud tool plays the playlist from its own servers, and your computer can be off. Our guide to running a 24/7 YouTube live stream without OBS shows each step.
Does a 24/7 streaming tool have to be a YouTube verified encoder?
No. YouTube's list names software it has tested, such as OBS, Gyre, Upstream and Restream. A tool that is not on the list still streams to YouTube with your stream key.
Ready to start? A 24/7 live stream on 247 LiveStream costs $16 a month, and you can build and test it for free first.