Cloud OBS VPS Setup: Run OBS Studio Remotely for Streaming

Quick answer: You can run OBS Studio on a Linux VPS using a virtual desktop (VNC/RDP). A 4GB VPS handles 720p60, 8GB for 1080p60. Install XFCE + OBS, connect via VNC client, configure your stream settings, and run 24/7. Cost: €15-40/month instead of wearing out your home PC.

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Why Run OBS on a VPS?

Running OBS locally has limitations:

• Eats your CPU/GPU while gaming
• Requires your PC running for 24/7 streams
• Home internet can be unreliable
• Electricity costs add up (€30-50/month for always-on PC)

Cloud OBS solves these:

• Dedicated encoding power
• Datacenter internet (1Gbps+, stable)
• Access from anywhere (phone, laptop, tablet)
• Professional redundancy (99.9% uptime)
• Lower total cost (€15-40/month all-in)

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Use Cases for Cloud OBS

| Use Case | Description | Why Cloud OBS | |----------|-------------|---------------| | 24/7 Radio/TV | Lo-fi streams, ambient channels | Runs forever without home PC | | Remote production | Stream from anywhere | Access OBS via phone/laptop | | Gaming without lag | Offload encoding | Local PC focuses on game | | Multi-cam events | Church, conferences | Central production hub | | Backup streaming | Failover if home fails | Redundancy for important streams | | Team streaming | Multiple operators | Everyone can access same OBS |

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VPS Requirements

| Quality Target | CPU | RAM | Storage | Bandwidth | Price | |----------------|-----|-----|---------|-----------|-------| | 720p30 | 2 cores | 2GB | 40GB | 5TB | €5-10 | | 720p60 | 2 cores | 4GB | 60GB | 10TB | €10-15 | | 1080p30 | 4 cores | 4GB | 80GB | 10TB | €15-25 | | 1080p60 | 4 cores | 8GB | 100GB | 15TB | €25-40 | | 1080p60 (GPU) | 4 cores + GPU | 8GB+ | 100GB | 15TB | €50-100 |

For most streamers, a €15-25/month VPS (4GB RAM, 4 cores) handles 1080p30 perfectly.

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Step 1: Choose Your VPS

Order a VPS with:

• Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12
• At least 4GB RAM for serious streaming
• Location close to your audience (or streaming platform servers)

Space-Node has servers in the Netherlands—central location for EU streaming and excellent connectivity worldwide.

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Step 2: Initial Server Setup

SSH into your VPS:

ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP

Update the system:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Create a non-root user (recommended):

adduser streamer
usermod -aG sudo streamer

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Step 3: Install Desktop Environment

XFCE is lightweight and works great for remote OBS:

apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies dbus-x11 -y

For a slightly more modern look, you can use XFCE with arc-theme:

apt install arc-theme papirus-icon-theme -y

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Step 4: Install VNC Server

Option A: TigerVNC (Recommended)

apt install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-common -y

Switch to your user and set VNC password:

su - streamer
vncpasswd
# Enter password (max 8 characters used)

Create VNC startup file:

mkdir -p ~/.vnc
nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add this content:

#!/bin/bash
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
exec startxfce4

Make it executable:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

Start VNC server:

vncserver :1 -geometry 1920x1080 -depth 24

Option B: x11vnc (Simpler, Full Desktop)

apt install x11vnc xvfb -y

Start virtual display + VNC:

Xvfb :0 -screen 0 1920x1080x24 &
x11vnc -display :0 -forever -passwd YOUR_PASSWORD -bg

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Step 5: Secure VNC with SSH Tunnel

VNC traffic is unencrypted by default. Use SSH tunneling:

On your local machine:

ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 streamer@YOUR_VPS_IP

Then connect your VNC client to: localhost:5901

This encrypts all VNC traffic through SSH.

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Step 6: Install OBS Studio

Switch to root or use sudo:

# Add OBS repository
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio -y
sudo apt update

# Install OBS
sudo apt install obs-studio -y

Also install useful plugins:

# VLC for video sources
sudo apt install vlc -y

# FFmpeg for recording/streaming
sudo apt install ffmpeg -y

# PulseAudio for audio management
sudo apt install pulseaudio pavucontrol -y

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Step 7: Connect and Configure OBS

Connect via VNC Client

Use a VNC client on your local machine:

• Windows: RealVNC Viewer, TightVNC
• Mac: Screen Sharing, RealVNC
• Linux: Remmina, TigerVNC Viewer
• Mobile: VNC Viewer (iOS/Android)

Connect to: YOUR_VPS_IP:5901 (or localhost:5901 if using SSH tunnel)

First OBS Launch

Open terminal in VNC session and start OBS:

obs

Run through the auto-configuration wizard:

1. Select "Optimize for streaming"
2. Choose your resolution (720p or 1080p)
3. Let OBS test your system

Configure Stream Settings

Go to Settings → Stream:

For YouTube:

• Service: YouTube - RTMPS
• Server: Primary YouTube ingest server
• Stream Key: (from YouTube Studio → Go Live → Stream)

For Twitch:

• Service: Twitch
• Server: Auto (or closest EU server)
• Stream Key: (from Twitch Dashboard → Settings → Stream)

For Kick:

• Service: Custom
• Server: rtmp://ingest.kick.com/live
• Stream Key: (from Kick Dashboard)

Configure Output Settings

Settings → Output → Streaming:

Encoder: x264 (or NVENC if GPU available)
Rate Control: CBR
Bitrate: 4500 (for 1080p30) or 6000 (for 1080p60)
Keyframe Interval: 2
Preset: veryfast (good balance)
Profile: main (for compatibility)

Settings → Video:

Base Resolution: 1920x1080
Output Resolution: 1920x1080 (or 1280x720)
FPS: 30 or 60

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Step 8: Add Your Content Sources

For 24/7 Video Loops

Add a VLC Video Source:

1. Sources → Add → VLC Video Source
2. Add your video files or folder
3. Check "Loop playlist"

For Live Camera/Capture

You'll need to send your local video to the VPS. Options:

Option 1: NDI (Best quality)

On local PC:

• Install OBS + NDI plugin
• Enable NDI output in OBS

On VPS OBS:

• Install obs-ndi plugin
• Add NDI Source pointing to your IP

Option 2: SRT/RTMP Relay

On VPS, run nginx-rtmp and accept your local stream, then use Media Source in OBS to capture it.

For Browser Sources

Works the same as local OBS:

1. Sources → Add → Browser
2. Enter URL (StreamElements, Streamlabs overlays, etc.)

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Step 9: Auto-Start OBS on Boot

Create systemd service for VNC:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/[email protected]

[Unit]
Description=VNC Server for display %i
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=forking
User=streamer
Group=streamer
WorkingDirectory=/home/streamer

ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c '/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i > /dev/null 2>&1 || :'
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver :%i -geometry 1920x1080 -depth 24
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable it:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable vncserver@1
sudo systemctl start vncserver@1

Create OBS auto-start script:

nano /home/streamer/start-obs.sh

#!/bin/bash
export DISPLAY=:1

# Wait for desktop to be ready
sleep 10

# Start OBS and begin streaming
obs --startstreaming --minimize-to-tray &

chmod +x /home/streamer/start-obs.sh

Add to XFCE autostart:

mkdir -p /home/streamer/.config/autostart
nano /home/streamer/.config/autostart/obs.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=OBS Studio
Exec=/home/streamer/start-obs.sh
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true

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Step 10: Sending Local Video to Cloud OBS

If you want to stream your gameplay from your home PC but encode on the VPS:

Method 1: RTMP Relay

On VPS, install nginx-rtmp:

sudo apt install nginx libnginx-mod-rtmp -y

Add to /etc/nginx/nginx.conf:

rtmp {
    server {
        listen 1935;
        chunk_size 4096;
        
        application live {
            live on;
            record off;
        }
    }
}

Restart nginx:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

On your local PC (OBS):

• Settings → Stream → Custom
• Server: rtmp://YOUR_VPS_IP/live
• Stream Key: mystream

On VPS OBS:

• Add Media Source
• Uncheck "Local File"
• Input: rtmp://localhost/live/mystream

Method 2: SRT (Better for unstable internet)

On VPS:

# Install SRT
sudo apt install srt-tools -y

# Start SRT listener
srt-live-transmit srt://:9999?mode=listener -v file://con | ffmpeg -i - -c copy -f flv rtmp://localhost/live/srt-input &

On local OBS:

• Settings → Stream → Custom
• Server: srt://YOUR_VPS_IP:9999
• Stream Key: (leave empty)

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Method 2: RDP (Windows-like Experience)

Prefer RDP over VNC? Install xrdp:

sudo apt install xrdp -y
sudo systemctl enable xrdp

Configure XFCE for xrdp:

echo "startxfce4" > ~/.xsession

Connect with any RDP client:

• Windows: Remote Desktop Connection
• Mac: Microsoft Remote Desktop
• Linux: Remmina

Connect to: YOUR_VPS_IP:3389

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Performance Optimization

Reduce CPU Usage

In OBS Settings → Output:

Preset: ultrafast (lowest quality, lowest CPU)
OR
Preset: veryfast (good balance)

Use Hardware Encoding (If GPU Available)

Some VPS providers offer GPU instances:

Encoder: NVENC H.264 (for NVIDIA)
OR
Encoder: VA-API H.264 (for Intel/AMD)

Optimize X11 Performance

Disable compositor for lower latency:

# In XFCE Settings → Window Manager Tweaks → Compositor
# Uncheck "Enable display compositing"

Or via terminal:

xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/use_compositing -s false

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Monitoring and Alerts

Monitor OBS via Script

nano /home/streamer/monitor-obs.sh

#!/bin/bash
DISCORD_WEBHOOK="https://discord.com/api/webhooks/YOUR_WEBHOOK"

if ! pgrep -x "obs" > /dev/null; then
    curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
         -d '{"content": "⚠️ OBS is not running! Starting it now..."}' \
         $DISCORD_WEBHOOK
    
    export DISPLAY=:1
    obs --startstreaming &
    
    sleep 30
    
    if pgrep -x "obs" > /dev/null; then
        curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
             -d '{"content": "✅ OBS is back online!"}' \
             $DISCORD_WEBHOOK
    fi
fi

Add to crontab:

crontab -e

*/5 * * * * /home/streamer/monitor-obs.sh

Check Stream Status

# Check if OBS is running
pgrep -x obs && echo "OBS Running" || echo "OBS Not Running"

# Check network output (streaming?)
ss -tulpn | grep obs

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Multi-User Access

Let multiple team members control OBS:

Create Additional VNC Displays

# User 1 - Display :1
vncserver :1 -geometry 1920x1080

# User 2 - Display :2 (view only)
vncserver :2 -geometry 1920x1080

Use a Collaborative VNC Solution

Install noVNC for browser-based access:

sudo apt install novnc websockify -y

# Start noVNC
websockify --web /usr/share/novnc 6080 localhost:5901 &

Access via browser: http://YOUR_VPS_IP:6080/vnc.html

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Security Best Practices

Firewall Configuration

# Install UFW
sudo apt install ufw -y

# Allow SSH
sudo ufw allow 22

# Allow VNC only from your IP
sudo ufw allow from YOUR_HOME_IP to any port 5901

# Enable firewall
sudo ufw enable

Use SSH Keys

# On your local machine
ssh-keygen -t ed25519

# Copy to server
ssh-copy-id streamer@YOUR_VPS_IP

# Disable password auth on server
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Set: PasswordAuthentication no
sudo systemctl restart sshd

VNC Security

• Always use SSH tunnel for VNC
• Change default VNC port
• Use strong VNC password
• Consider xrdp with TLS instead

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Cost Analysis

VPS Streaming vs Local PC

| Factor | Home PC 24/7 | VPS (Space-Node) | |--------|--------------|------------------| | Hardware cost | €1000+ initial | €0 | | Electricity | €30-50/month | Included | | Internet upgrade | €20-40/month extra | Included (1Gbps) | | Reliability | 95% (power cuts, etc.) | 99.9% SLA | | Maintenance | You fix it | Managed | | Monthly total | €50-90 | €15-40 |

VPS vs Managed Streaming

| Solution | Monthly Cost | What You Get | |----------|--------------|--------------| | Restream.io Pro | €19/month | Multistream only | | Streamyard Pro | €25/month | Browser streaming | | Cloud OBS (VPS) | €15-40/month | Full OBS, any features | | Custom server | €20-50/month | Total control |

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Troubleshooting

VNC Connection Refused

# Check if VNC is running
vncserver -list

# Restart VNC
vncserver -kill :1
vncserver :1 -geometry 1920x1080

OBS Won't Start (Display Error)

# Make sure DISPLAY is set
export DISPLAY=:1
obs

Audio Issues (No Sound)

# Start PulseAudio
pulseaudio --start

# Or in OBS, set audio to "pulse" device

High Latency/Lag in VNC

• Lower VNC color depth: -depth 16
• Use tighter encoding in VNC client
• Consider RDP instead (more efficient)
• Check network between you and VPS

OBS Streaming But No Video on Platform

• Verify stream key is correct
• Check RTMP URL (some platforms change these)
• Look at OBS → Help → Log Files for errors
• Ensure firewall allows outbound 1935 (RTMP)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream games this way?

Yes, but with extra steps. Your game runs locally, you capture it, send via NDI/RTMP to the VPS, and the VPS re-encodes and streams to Twitch/YouTube.

Does VPS OBS support all plugins?

Most Linux-compatible plugins work. Some Windows-only plugins (like some Snap Camera) won't work.

Is there input lag for live shows?

The VNC connection has 50-200ms lag depending on your connection. For pre-recorded/24/7 content, this doesn't matter. For live shows, you'd use NDI or RTMP relay and just control OBS remotely.

Can I use NVENC on VPS?

Only on GPU VPS instances. Most VPS are CPU-only, so you'll use x264 encoding.

What's the maximum stream quality?

Depends on VPS CPU. A 4-core VPS handles 1080p30 easily. For 1080p60 or 4K, you need 6+ cores or GPU instance.

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Conclusion

Running OBS on a VPS is the professional approach to streaming:

1. Better reliability than home internet
2. Lower total cost than running a PC 24/7
3. Access from anywhere via VNC/RDP
4. Perfect for 24/7 streams and automated content

Setup takes about 30 minutes, and you'll have a cloud streaming server that runs indefinitely.

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Ready to move OBS to the cloud? Space-Node VPS hosting offers high-performance servers in Amsterdam with low-latency connections to major streaming platforms. Starting at €5/month with full root access and 1Gbps network.

Related guides:

• 24/7 Live Stream VPS Setup
• Multistreaming to Twitch, Kick, and YouTube
• SRT vs RTMP for Streaming