Building a Multistream Setup

Published on 2026-03-20 | Updated 2026-10-29

Multistreaming to three platforms simultaneously from a VPS costs less than most streaming hardware solutions and dramatically increases your viewer reach.

Streaming setup Streaming to a single platform in 2026 is like opening one door when three are available. Twitch, YouTube, and Kick each have different audiences and discovery algorithms. Simultaneous streaming multiplies your reach without multiplying your bandwidth cost, but it requires a relay server to distribute the single outbound encode.

The Multistream Architecture

Your gaming PC (OBS)
    │
    └─► VPS (nginx-rtmp relay)
            ├─► rtmp://live.twitch.tv/live
            ├─► rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2
            └─► rtmp://live.kick.com/app

Your PC encodes once, sends to your VPS at 1080p60. The VPS receives the stream and forwards it to all three destinations simultaneously. Your home internet only needs to send once.

nginx-rtmp Server Setup

# Install nginx with RTMP module
sudo apt install nginx libnginx-mod-rtmp

# Configure /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

rtmp {
    server {
        listen 1935;
        chunk_size 4096;

        application live {
            live on;
            record off;

            # Forward to Twitch
            push rtmp://live.twitch.tv/live/YOUR_TWITCH_KEY;

            # Forward to YouTube
            push rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/YOUR_YOUTUBE_KEY;

            # Forward to Kick
            push rtmp://live.kick.com/app/YOUR_KICK_KEY;
        }
    }
}

sudo nginx -t && sudo systemctl restart nginx

OBS Configuration

In OBS > Settings > Stream:

Service: Custom
Server: rtmp://YOUR_VPS_IP/live
Stream Key: stream_key_here (any key you define, matches nginx app)

Bitrate recommendation: 8,000 Kbps for 1080p60 to the VPS. The VPS forwards at this same bitrate. Ensure your VPS uplink can sustain 3x parallel streams: 3 × 8,000 Kbps = 24 Mbps minimum uplink.

Space-Node VPS plans run on a 1 Gbps port, far above that 24 Mbps; Premium starts at €4.20 a month and Standard at €4.99 a month. Our 1Gbps streaming VPS adds OBS pre-installed, if you would rather keep your scenes on the server too.

Handling Platform Restrictions

Twitch requires Twitch Partner status for multi-platform streaming without terms violation. Solo streamers under 10,000 followers should stream to YouTube and Kick freely, with Twitch as the single-destination option.

YouTube allows simultaneous streaming without restriction.

Kick has no exclusivity requirements for most streamers.

See the Space-Node VPS plans for a multistream relay (Premium from €4.20/month, Standard from €4.99/month)