There is no single “video upload limit” for a 24/7 YouTube streaming service. Compare the maximum size of one uploaded file, its maximum duration, the storage available for your library, and how long the service can keep an outgoing stream running as separate limits. On the available published figures, StreamYard gives the clearest per-file comparison; Restream, Castr and Gyre describe different parts of the problem, so their limits should not be treated as interchangeable.
Which upload limit are you trying to compare?
A service may accept a large file but limit its duration, or store many videos while limiting how long any one video can be. It may also broadcast a playlist continuously even though an individual upload is only a few hours long. Before choosing a service, identify the specific limit you need:
- Maximum file size: the largest single upload, usually expressed in GB.
- Maximum duration per file: the longest individual video the service accepts.
- Library capacity: total storage, number of files, and how long uploaded files are retained.
- Continuous broadcast behavior: whether videos can loop or run in a playlist, plus any limits on schedules, concurrent streams, restarts, bandwidth, or destinations.
- YouTube archive behavior: whether the destination retains a recording of the outgoing live stream, and for how long.
These limits answer different questions. In particular, a maximum file duration is not the maximum duration of a live broadcast.
Published limits and capabilities by service
The table separates comparable per-file figures from storage and continuous-stream claims. Plan names and figures below reflect the cited vendor pages; check the service’s current plan details before subscribing because limits can change.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Compact but Powerful Design: ZowieBox is smaller than a phone, featuring a tally light and LCD screen for streaming status. Capture console gameplay in up to 4K with zero-lag HDMI passthrough, while the built-in video encoder converts video for IP streaming. The IP stream can also be decoded back to a 4K HDMI signal.
- Standalone Game Streaming: Just plug and play—ZowieBox enables PC-free live gaming without affecting gameplay. As an RTMP hardware encoder and HDMI streamer, it delivers stable streaming directly from your source, making it ideal for gaming, live events, and professional broadcasting.
- NDI|HX3 Converter Technology: ZowieBox converts HDMI signals to NDI|HX3/HX2/HX, functioning as an NDI video encoder, or NDI Video Decoder for flexible IP workflows. Certified NDI technology enables low-latency gameplay streaming through OBS/vMix. Note: Encoder and decoder modes cannot run simultaneously; full NDI signals are not supported.
- UVC to HDMI Conversion: Supporting up to 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps decoding, ZowieBox enables flexible conversion for webcam and video workflows. As a video decoder and HDMI to IP converter, it expands connectivity options for professional video devices. Note: USB capture card functionality is not currently supported.
- All-around Configuration Options: Control ZowieBox through its web UI on a PC, phone, or tablet. Manage connected PTZ cameras, tally light, video/audio, OSD, work mode, streams, network, and system settings. Support for VISCA over IP encoder workflows enables flexible PTZ control, while the dashboard provides video preview and system status.
| Service | Per-file size and duration | Formats and storage | Continuous streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| StreamNeo | Its product information specifies 10 GB of storage per slot, pooled across active slots; it does not establish a separate maximum size or duration for an individual upload. | Uploaded videos and playlists; 10 GB per slot of pooled storage. | Always-on YouTube streaming from the cloud, with 24/7 looping and playlists. A slot supports uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps. |
| StreamYard | Core: 10 GB and 2 hours per file. Advanced: 25 GB and 4 hours. Teams and Business: 25 GB and 8 hours. | MP4 and MOV; StreamYard recommends H.264 video and AAC audio. Its format guidance repeats the 10 GB Core/Advanced and 25 GB Teams/Business file caps. | These figures describe prerecorded-video files, not a continuous-broadcast duration. |
| Restream | Size and duration vary by plan; the reviewed help page does not state exact per-file caps. Its product page displays upload-library durations of 2, 4, and 12 hours on plan options; those figures are not verified as maximum single-file durations. | MP4, MOV, M4V, and MKV. Free uploads are stored for 30 days; paid uploads remain until manually deleted. | Advertises continuous streaming. Restream warns that its server may undergo maintenance and restart during streams lasting over 24 hours, and suggests restarting every 24 hours. |
| Castr | Its simulive page gives plan-dependent maximum prerecorded-file durations from 60 to 240 minutes; a comparable file-size cap is not established here. | Not stated on the cited pages as a comparable storage or retention figure. | The help page says continuous event duration is unlimited while the subscription remains active and sufficient streaming bandwidth is available. This is distinct from the plan-limited simulive file durations. |
| Gyre | Exact comparable maximum upload size and single-file duration are not established on the reviewed product page. | The product page describes plan-specific storage, without a comparable exact per-file limit here. | Describes uploading videos, building playlists, and launching 24/7 broadcasts, with plan-specific storage and simultaneous-stream figures. |
StreamNeo’s pooled storage allowance is a library-capacity figure, not a stated maximum for one file. Its product information does not specify a separate single-file size or duration cap. See StreamNeo for the service details.
How to choose using the limits that matter
If your videos are unusually large or long
StreamYard is the most straightforward option to assess from published per-file figures: choose the plan whose stated size and duration both accommodate your file. Do not assume a plan’s file-size cap means it accepts a video of any duration, or vice versa. For Restream, ask the provider to confirm the maximum size and duration for the specific plan you are considering; the reviewed help page says they vary by plan without giving exact caps.
Rank #2
- 【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265 /H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video input and output, with a maximum frame rate of 30fps at 4K resolution and up to 120fps at 2K and lower resolutions, delivering a smooth and detailed visual experience. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI ultra HD video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and 4K ultra HD content transmission.
- 【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- 【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- 【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- 【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
If you need a 24/7 playlist rather than one long file
Look for explicit support for playlists, looping, and continuous broadcasts. Gyre describes video playlists and 24/7 broadcasts. StreamNeo describes cloud-based 24/7 looping and playlists. Castr’s unlimited event-duration statement is conditional on an active subscription and adequate streaming bandwidth. None of those statements should be read as proof that one uploaded file can run indefinitely.
If you need to know how much you can keep uploaded
Compare storage and retention separately from upload caps. Restream states that free uploads are retained for 30 days and paid uploads remain unless manually deleted. StreamNeo includes 10 GB per slot, pooled across active slots. For other services, verify storage totals, any file-count cap, and retention period on the plan you intend to buy. Restream says its cloud storage is not a replacement for a hard-drive or other backup.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- 【Hardware H.265/H.264 Encoding at 1080P60】Dedicated hardware encoder delivers broadcast-quality 1080P60 streams with H.265/H.264 compression. Reduces bandwidth usage by up to 50% compared to legacy H.264-only solutions, while maintaining crisp, crystal-clear video output.
- 【Broad Protocol Support for IP Distribution】 Supports SRT, RTMP(S), RTSP, UDP, HTTP, HLS, WebRTC, TRTC, Icecast and SHOUTcast — integrate seamlessly with CDNs, surveillance NVRs, IPTV systems and browser-based monitoring dashboards. One device replaces multiple single-purpose streaming boxes.
- 【Browser-Based Setup in Minutes】 Set up in minutes through any browser — no software, drivers or OS compatibility issues. DHCP is enabled by default to prevent IP address conflicts on your network. Note: basic networking knowledge (IP address, RTSP/RTMP configuration) is recommended for advanced streaming setups.
- 【Compact Design with Flexible Deployment】Palm-sized form factor (approx. 90×54×29mm) fits easily behind monitors, on shelves, or in equipment racks. Low power consumption ensures reliable 24/7 operation for live events, remote monitoring, and digital signage.
- 【Professional Audio & OSD Overlay + 1-Year Warranty】 Supports HDMI embedded audio plus external 3.5mm input. Built-in OSD generator adds scrolling text, logos, or timestamps directly to the video stream — ideal for branding, event info, or security labeling. Backed by a 1-year warranty and 24/7 online technical support.
YouTube archive limits are not service upload limits
Restream’s YouTube guidance says YouTube has no stream-duration limit but archives only streams under 12 hours. That concerns YouTube’s retained livestream archive, not how large or long an uploaded source file can be. Separately, Restream warns its own server may undergo maintenance and restart during a continuous stream lasting over 24 hours, and suggests restarting every 24 hours. A platform archive limit and a streaming service’s continuity behavior are different constraints.
Format and stream settings to check
For prerecorded uploads, StreamYard lists MP4 and MOV and recommends H.264 video with AAC audio. Restream lists MP4, MOV, M4V, and MKV for uploads. Confirm that the plan you select accepts your file’s container and encoding; a listed container alone does not guarantee every codec or encoding profile will work.
Rank #4
- 4K & HD STREAMING IN H.264 AND H.265 – Self-contained processor supporting H.264 and H.265 encoding in HD or Ultra HD (up to 2160p60) via SRT or RTMP, streaming directly to YouTube, Facebook, X, Twitch, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, OBS, Wowza, and many more — no encoding PC needed.
- 12G-SDI INPUT WITH STANDARDS CONVERSION – Supports input resolutions up to DCI 4K60 with an SDI input and SDI loop output, plus Teranex-powered automatic standards conversion so any HD or Ultra HD source streams cleanly at any target resolution.
- DUAL MONITOR OUTPUTS – Features both SDI and HDMI monitor outputs with a user-configurable standards converter on both the 12G-SDI Out and 4K HDMI Out, so you can feed a confidence monitor or downstream device at any required format independent of your streaming standard.
- ETHERNET + 5G/4G MOBILE WITH AUTO-FAILOVER – Connect via Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) or tether a smartphone via USB-C for mobile data, with automatic switchover between connections — ensuring your stream stays on air even if the primary internet connection drops.
- CLOSED CAPTIONS, TIMECODE & REST API – Supports embedding CEA-608 and CEA-708 closed captions in live RTMP streams, source timecode over RTMP and SRT, and offers a REST API over Ethernet for external HTTP control — ideal for broadcast automation and accessibility-compliant workflows.
For YouTube stream settings, Restream’s guidance lists H.264 video at 240p–2160p, 3,000–40,000 Kbps depending on resolution and frame rate, up to 60 fps, and a recommended two-second keyframe interval with a maximum of four seconds. It lists AAC or MP3 audio. These are the settings documented by Restream, not a guarantee that every combination suits every source or network.
A practical comparison checklist
- Write down the source-video requirements. Record each file’s size, duration, container, video codec, audio codec, resolution, and frame rate.
- Match both per-file ceilings. Check maximum upload size and maximum file duration for the exact plan, not merely the service’s general upload feature.
- Check library rules. Confirm total storage, file-count limits, and retention; find out whether deleting a file is necessary to make room.
- Confirm broadcast behavior. Verify playlist and looping support, whether the stream can remain live continuously, how many simultaneous streams are allowed, and how interruptions or service restarts are handled.
- Separate YouTube’s rules from the vendor’s. Check archive behavior and live-stream requirements on YouTube as well as the streaming service’s own limits.
- Recheck on purchase day. Vendor plans and platform rules can change, and a plan page’s displayed library duration is not necessarily a single-file cap.
Copyright and channel-policy checks
Having permission to upload a file to a streaming service does not automatically establish that you may rebroadcast all of its music, video, or other material on YouTube. Check rights for every element in a playlist, including background music and third-party footage, and review YouTube’s applicable live-stream and monetization policies. A continuously repeated or minimally changed program can also raise reused-content concerns for monetization; assess whether the channel adds original value rather than assuming that a technically successful stream is automatically policy-compliant. StreamNeo provides a copyright safety checklist to help review content rights.
Best Value
- ⭐【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265 /H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video input and output, with a maximum frame rate of 30fps at 4K resolution and up to 120fps at 2K and lower resolutions, delivering a smooth and detailed visual experience. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI ultra HD video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and 4K ultra HD content transmission.
- ⭐【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), ONVIF, FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- ⭐【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- ⭐【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- ⭐【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. It streams what you upload, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, and the monthly option is $9.99 per month. UPI and cards are available in India; card checkout is available worldwide. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
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.
