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Short answer: Castr is the more flexible fit if you want a continuous prerecorded playlist that may also go to other destinations; its vendor says continuous loop mode is on Premium and higher plans. OneStream Live documents a dedicated YouTube-only 24/7 workflow, but its setup guide says it requires Enterprise and caps each scheduled run at 30 days. If you want a simpler YouTube-only cloud loop, StreamNeo is another option: it keeps uploaded videos live from the cloud, at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, with the first day free.
How the two services differ
Both Castr and OneStream Live offer cloud workflows for broadcasting prerecorded video as a YouTube live stream. The main distinction is how their continuous modes are packaged and what destinations they support. The details below are vendor-published, not results of an independent, same-workload test. Plan details and prices can change; verify the current terms before subscribing.
| Decision point | Castr | OneStream Live |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous 24/7 mode | Continuous playlist looping is listed for Premium and higher plans. Starter and Standard do not include loop mode. [Castr pricing] | Its dedicated 24/7 workflow is for YouTube; the setup guide says it requires Enterprise. [OneStream Live setup guide] |
| Destinations | The prerecorded broadcast can go to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, custom RTMP/SRT destinations, and Castr’s embedded player. [Castr prerecorded-live feature] | Although OneStream describes general multistreaming to more than 45 platforms and custom RTMP destinations, its help center identifies the dedicated 24/7 mode as YouTube-only. [OneStream Live 24/7 guide] [OneStream Live features] |
| Run length | The feature page describes continuous looping but does not state a maximum duration for an individual run. [Castr prerecorded-live feature] | Up to 30 days per scheduled 24/7 stream, according to its setup guide. [OneStream Live setup guide] |
| Playlist size | Castr lists 2 files on Starter and Standard, 10 on Premium, and 15 on Ultra. [Castr prerecorded-live feature] | A comparable item limit for its 24/7 playlists is not stated in the cited help materials. [OneStream Live setup guide] |
| Price information | The pricing page lists monthly prices by tier; loop availability depends on plan. [Castr pricing] | The pricing page lists a $30/month “24-Hours Streams” add-on, while the setup guide says the dedicated feature requires Enterprise. Confirm your account’s eligibility and full quote rather than treating the add-on as a universal 24/7 plan. [OneStream Live pricing] [OneStream Live setup guide] |
| YouTube archive and DVR | YouTube’s own limits apply regardless of streaming service: streams over 12 hours may not be archived, and DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable. [YouTube archive guidance] [YouTube DVR guidance] | |
Which one fits your channel?
Choose Castr for destination flexibility
Castr is the clearer fit if you need the same prerecorded broadcast to reach destinations beyond YouTube, such as Facebook, Twitch, a custom RTMP/SRT endpoint, or an embedded player. Its feature page describes both scheduled premieres and continuous playlist loops, with the latter on Premium and above. The vendor lists playlist capacities of 2 files on Starter and Standard, 10 on Premium, and 15 on Ultra. [Castr prerecorded-live feature]
Castr’s pricing page lists monthly rates of $19.99 for Starter, $49.99 for Standard, $199.99 for Premium, $349.99 for Ultra, and $749.99 for Events. The page also offers lower effective monthly rates for annual billing; the figures above are the listed monthly prices, not annual-plan equivalents. Because loop mode is not included in Starter or Standard, compare the price of a loop-eligible tier against your own destination, playlist, and usage requirements. [Castr pricing]
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Choose OneStream Live for its YouTube 24/7 workflow
OneStream Live’s guide describes uploading or selecting prerecorded videos, assembling a playlist, and starting the YouTube 24/7 stream immediately or on a schedule. The guide says the feature requires Enterprise and allows up to 30 days per scheduled run. It lists local-device files, OneStream storage, and cloud storage as content sources. [OneStream Live setup guide]
Do not assume OneStream’s general multistreaming feature means its continuous 24/7 mode reaches every supported destination. The dedicated mode is described as YouTube-only. Its pricing page’s $30/month “24-Hours Streams” add-on and the Enterprise requirement in the setup guide do not, by themselves, establish one universal plan or price; ask OneStream to confirm the exact feature access and charge for your account. [OneStream Live pricing] [OneStream Live setup guide]
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Consider StreamNeo for a YouTube-only cloud loop
StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for keeping uploaded videos live around the clock. It is an alternative to try first when you do not need multistreaming: one flat price per slot for any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, with the first day free. Every slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. See StreamNeo for details.
Compare the real cost, not just the headline price
A fair cost comparison depends on the exact plan that unlocks continuous streaming, billing term, content storage, playlist needs, destinations, and run duration. Castr’s monthly tier prices are published, but the entry tiers do not include loop mode. OneStream’s pricing page and support guide describe 24-hour streaming differently, so get account-specific confirmation before budgeting for its YouTube 24/7 feature. There is no established like-for-like total-cost or reliability comparison for the same workload.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check YouTube’s archive, DVR, and rights rules
Do not rely on a continuous stream as a permanent replay
YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, but a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. It recommends keeping a local archive backup. If viewers need a replay, maintain your own source files and plan separate recordings rather than assuming a long-running live stream will yield one uninterrupted archive. [YouTube archive guidance]
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YouTube also says DVR functions such as pausing and rewinding may be limited or unavailable on streams longer than 12 hours. That limitation comes from YouTube, not from a choice between Castr and OneStream. [YouTube DVR guidance]
Confirm rights for every repeated item
YouTube’s livestream terms require live content to comply with its Community Guidelines and state that the creator must hold the necessary rights, including applicable music rights. A video being old, already uploaded, or repeated in a playlist does not itself establish that you have permission to stream it. Check rights for each video, track, and other included material before scheduling a loop. [YouTube livestream terms]
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Uptime does not guarantee an audience or earnings
YouTube says eligible live streams may earn through ads, Super Chat and Super Stickers, and channel memberships, but ad slots are not guaranteed to serve. A stream staying online does not guarantee views, monetization eligibility, ad delivery, or revenue. [YouTube live monetization help]
Or let it run in the cloud
With StreamNeo, upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops your uploaded video from the cloud, so no computer, OBS, or home internet connection has to stay on. Uploaded quality is preserved up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card, then the Monthly price is $9.99 per month.
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