Sometimes. The answer depends on the cloud provider, the product sending the feed, and the route to YouTube. Google Cloud lists traffic from certain virtual machines (VMs) to YouTube as no charge; AWS warns that internet delivery outside AWS can incur charges; Azure publishes its own free allowance and conditions. None of those rules should be assumed to apply to another provider or service.
What an egress fee covers
Egress is data leaving a cloud provider’s network. For this question, it is the encoder feed sent from a cloud VM or media service to YouTube’s ingest server. YouTube’s subsequent delivery of the live stream to viewers is a separate leg; it is not the same cloud-provider transfer being estimated here.
A network-transfer answer is not a complete deployment cost. Compute instances, managed encoders or media services, IP addresses, storage, and other resources may have separate charges. A third-party relay, CDN, or multistreaming service adds another route whose charges should be checked separately.
What the major providers publish
| Provider | Published network rule relevant to the question | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Google Cloud | Google’s network pricing page lists data transfer from a VM to specific Google products, including YouTube, as “No charge.” The category covers Compute Engine VMs, GKE nodes, and VMs running App Engine flexible environment. Google Cloud network pricing | This specific VM-to-Google-service category should not be generalized to every Google Cloud product or route. Managed media services and third-party routing may have separate pricing. |
| AWS | AWS’s MediaLive pricing page states that 100 GB/month of internet data transfer out is free, aggregated across AWS services and Regions except China and GovCloud. AWS also warns that charges may apply when content is served outside AWS. AWS MediaLive pricing | The allowance is not proof that a particular stream, account, service, region, or route to YouTube will be free. Check the applicable transfer meter and any usage already counted against the allowance. |
| Microsoft Azure | Azure’s bandwidth pricing page states that the first 100 GB/month of egress is free globally. Azure also describes credits for eligible data moved to another cloud provider or on-premises, subject to requirements. Azure Bandwidth pricing | The published allowance and conditional credits do not establish that every YouTube-bound stream or Azure configuration is free. |
Google Cloud separately publishes internet transfer-out pricing by source and destination geography and network tier. Premium Tier is the default; Standard Tier must be specified. Those general internet rates should not automatically be substituted for the separately listed VM-to-YouTube category. See Google Cloud network pricing and Google Cloud Network Tiers pricing.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Ryzen 5 3500U Processor】KAMRUI Essenx E2 Mini PC is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (4-cores/8-threads, up to 3.7GHz) with integrated Radeon Vega 8 Graphics(1200MHz, 8 Core). The 3500U CPU operates at a base frequency of 2.1 GHz and a Boost frequency of 3.7 GHz. This DDR supports upgradable up to 32GB, SSD supports up to 2TB.(NOT INCLUED), KAMRUI E2 3500U Mini PC is ideal for light office work and home entertainment. KAMRUI E2 3500U is more than 35% more powerful and smoother in operation than the Intel N150, 33% faster than Intel N95, 28% performance boost over Intel i3-10110U, and 42% stronger processing power than AMD Ryzen 3 3200U.
- 【16GB DDR4 & 256GB SSD】The KAMRUI E2 mini computers is equipped with 16GB DDR4(Expandable up to 32GB) for faster multitasking and smooth application switching. 256GB M.2 SSD ensures fast startup times,fast file transfers and plenty of storage space,eliminating slow loading times and ensuring fast responsiveness.Storage space can RAM supports up to 32 GB, SSD supports up to 2TB (Not included)make file storage easier.
- 【4K Dual Display & USB 3.2 Type-A Port】KAMRUI E2 3500U mini desktop pc is equipped with an HDMI 2.0+DP 1.4 interfaces for faster transmission, Support Dual 4K@60Hz Display, E2 mini desktop computers is ideal for visual home entertainment, home office, conference rooms, etc. USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port×2 with a transfer speed of up to 5Gbps (10 times faster than USB 2.0) for efficient data transfer. The RJ45 1000M Gigabit Ethernet Port ensures a stable network connection.
- 【WiFi+Bluetooth stable connection】The Kamrui E2 micro pc have reliable and stable wireless connection, open websites in seconds, watch movies without buffering and download files smoothly, connect your monitor from WiFi or Ethernet, use a wireless keyboard and mouse through bluetooth, which will be powerful workstation for you.
- 【Versatile Ports】This KAMRUI E2 Small pc is equipped with HDMI 2.0×1(4K@60Hz)、DP1.4×1(4K@60Hz)、Gigabit Ethernet Port (RJ45, 10/100/1000Mbps) ×1、USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port×2（5Gbps）、USB2.0 Type-A Port×2、3.5mm Audio Jack ×1、DC In ×1、Power Button ×1
Estimate the outbound traffic for 24/7 operation
The stream’s configured bitrate is the starting point, not a universal estimate. YouTube recommends H.264 video at 10 Mbps for 1080p30 and 17 Mbps for 1080p60; these are encoder recommendations, not measurements of a particular broadcast. See YouTube’s encoder settings guidance.
- Start with the outgoing bitrate. Use the configured video bitrate and add audio. If the encoder or service adapts its bitrate, use measured usage over representative periods when possible.
- Convert bitrate to volume. Divide megabits per second by 8 to get megabytes per second, then multiply by the streamed seconds. Convert the resulting bytes to the decimal GB or binary GiB unit used by the provider’s meter.
- Account for the actual path. Allow for protocol overhead, reconnects, redundant feeds, and any relay or CDN. A second encoder sending a duplicate feed can add traffic on its own route.
- Apply the relevant billing rules. Match the sending product, region, destination category, network tier, account allowance, and billing period to the provider’s current pricing and usage meter.
For scale, YouTube’s recommended 10 Mbps H.264 video setting for 1080p30 works out to approximately 108 decimal GB of video payload over 24 hours: 10 megabits/second × 86,400 seconds ÷ 8 ÷ 1,000. This is a calculation from YouTube’s recommendation, not a YouTube traffic statistic or a provider bill. Audio and network overhead increase actual usage; use the cloud provider’s own meter and billing unit for a forecast.
Rank #2
- Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
- 16GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB PCIe SSD - Installed with DDR4 16GB RAM (1x16GB), the Nucbox M5 Ultra mini pc support expansion to 64GB RAM. Featured with 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support dual slot expansion to 4TB SSD. (Upgrades not included)
- DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
- Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
- Fast Internet WiFi 6E + BT5.2 Connection - GMKtec Mini PC with WiFi-6E Wireless, have 2.5G/5G/6G triple band, more faster and lower latency. Bluetooth 5.2 allowing you more quickly to connect other wireless devices (headset, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Interface features 2*USB3.2 ports, 2*USB2.0 ports, 1*HDMI 2.0 port(4K@60Hz), 1*USB-C port(PD/DP/DATA), 1*DP Port, 1*Audio 3.5mm (HP&MIC), 1*DC Power Port.
What to verify before forecasting a bill
- Sending service: Is the feed leaving a VM, a managed streaming product, or a third-party relay? Pricing for one does not automatically govern another.
- Destination and route: Is YouTube explicitly named in the service’s pricing category, or is the traffic billed as general internet egress?
- Region and tier: Which source and destination geographies and network tier apply? For Google Cloud, Standard Tier must be specified rather than assumed.
- Usage and allowances: Is the allowance monthly, aggregated across services or regions, or conditional on an account requirement? Determine how much of it other workloads already consume.
- Other costs: Include compute, encoding or transcoding, storage, IP addresses, and any relay or redundancy charges separately from network transfer.
Because the provider, region, sending product, route, bitrate, redundancy, and account plan are unspecified, there is no supportable universal monthly price or blanket “free” verdict. Provider pricing and technical guidance can change; check the current service-specific terms and the actual billing meter before committing to a 24/7 configuration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a 24/7 stream running without a home computer
For a do-it-yourself cloud setup, select a VM or managed encoder, configure the outgoing feed using YouTube’s current encoder settings, add the YouTube stream key, and check the provider’s egress category and billing meter before leaving it running. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; its cited guidance does not establish that a single longer stream will be automatically archived or can run indefinitely. See YouTube’s live stream setup and archive guidance. Separately, make sure the video is yours or you have the necessary rights: a continuous broadcast does not make copyrighted or reused material permissible.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add the YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the video in the cloud, so no computer or home connection has to stay on. It streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there is no re-encode or quality tier. It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, once per account. The monthly price is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded video, not a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube only. Start the free first day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKtec WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 1-year limited GMKtec's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
