OpenBroadcaster
OpenBroadcaster: A free, self-hosted option for scheduled audio and video broadcasting. Ranked #13 of 26 in Music Live Stream Software by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free open-source audio and video automation.
At a glance
- Editor score6.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree open-source audio and video automation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- 24/7 streamingYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports 24/7 broadcast automation and playlist scheduling rules
- Streams audio and video through Icecast, YouTube, and Twitch
- Includes media metadata, browser control, uploads, and a JSON API
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment places setup and infrastructure responsibility on the station
- Platform coverage is narrower than leading cloud broadcast products
- Simultaneous multistreaming and audio visualizers are not verified features
Our verdict on OpenBroadcaster
OpenBroadcaster is open-source broadcast automation software for internet radio, television, community media, and similar operations. It is designed for stations that need continuous programming, scheduled playlists, media-library organization, and browser-based control without adopting a paid software plan. Deployments can run on servers or broadcast workstations, with support for web, Windows, and Linux environments. The platform handles audio, video, and image uploads, making it suitable for operations that manage more than audio alone.
Its strongest area is automated station programming. OpenBroadcaster supports 24/7 broadcast automation, playlist creation, scheduling rules, and a media library with metadata, categories, and search. Those capabilities give stations a way to organize recurring programming and maintain continuous output. Audio and video streaming are both supported, while the browser-based control panel provides station management through a web interface. The JSON API adds a path for integrations and custom workflows, which may suit teams that need to connect broadcast operations with other software.
OpenBroadcaster also fits stations that need multiple output options. Its listed integrations include YouTube, Twitch, Icecast, and RTP/Livewire, and the product description identifies Icecast and RTMP destinations for automated streaming. The main trade-off is operational responsibility: self-hosted software requires the station to manage its own deployment environment rather than relying entirely on a hosted service. Platform coverage is also narrower than leading cloud products. Choose OpenBroadcaster for free, open-source automation with audio and video support; consider an alternative if you prioritize broader hosted-platform coverage or require verified simultaneous multistreaming and audio visualizers.
OpenBroadcaster pricing
OpenBroadcaster fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Main destinations | Both |
| 24/7 streaming | Yes |
| Playlist scheduling | Yes |
| Audio visualizers | Not verified |
| Multistreaming | Not verified |
| Audio file upload | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Linux |
| Support | Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: YouTube, Twitch, Icecast, RTP/Livewire, JSON API |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | openbroadcaster.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
OpenBroadcaster integrations
OpenBroadcaster lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Icecast
- RTP/Livewire
- JSON API
Alternatives to OpenBroadcaster
- playout.videoA cloud-first option for scheduled music channels, browser production, and multistreaming.9.0
- SavePoint Station ManagerA flexible station manager with free scheduling and paid multichannel live output.8.4
- UpstreamA flexible cloud studio for scheduled, always-on, and multistreamed broadcasts.8.2
See all OpenBroadcaster alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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