How Streaming Works (Simulcasting)
Last updated: June 30, 2026
What this page helps you do: understand the big picture — how one OBS stream reaches both Facebook and Instagram — so the rest of the docs make sense.
Streamster lets you go live on Facebook and Instagram at the same time from a single stream. You use plain OBS with one destination and send one RTMP stream, and Streamster's servers automatically fan it out to both platforms in the cloud. No obs-multi-rtmp plugin, no multiple outputs, no duplicate bandwidth, no additional lag.
Just point OBS at Streamster once — we handle Facebook and Instagram for you. You configure a single destination in plain OBS. There is nothing to install and no second output to set up. Streamster does the fan-out server-side, so you never stream twice.
Simulcasting to Facebook and Instagram is the fastest way to grow your live selling audience. Instead of choosing one platform, you reach viewers on both — doubling your potential customers without any extra effort during your stream.
How It Works
Streamster uses Mux as its cloud streaming infrastructure. Here is the whole path your video takes:
- Your source — OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or a camera captures your video.
- One stream out — your encoder sends a single RTMP stream to Streamster's Mux ingest (
rtmps://global-live.mux.com:443/appplus your private Mux stream key). - Cloud simulcast — Mux re-streams (simulcasts) your video to Facebook Live and Instagram Live using the per-platform RTMP keys you saved in Streamster.
- Viewers watch — people on both Facebook and Instagram see your stream in near real-time.
You only need enough upload bandwidth for one stream — typically about 5 Mbps at the recommended 720p. The fan-out to each platform happens in the cloud, so your computer never uploads more than once. See RTMP Setup for the recommended encoder settings.
Supported Platforms
| Platform | Connection Method | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Live | Persistent stream key (saved once) | Facebook Page or Profile with live access |
| Instagram Live | Fresh stream key (pasted every broadcast) | Professional account, 1,000+ followers, instagram.com tab kept open |
For step-by-step instructions, see our Platform Connections guide.
Ready to actually go live?
This page explains the model. The exact click-by-click steps — including the all-important "arm, then start" order — live in two focused guides so you only learn them in one place:
- Go live in 5 minutes — the every-broadcast flow (prepare to go live, then start OBS, then press Go Live on each platform).
- Connecting Facebook & Instagram — how to get your Facebook persistent key and your fresh Instagram key, plus Instagram's account requirements.
The one rule to remember: arm first, then start. Click "Prepare to go live" in the dashboard before pressing Start Streaming in OBS — Streamster can only attach Facebook and Instagram while the stream is idle. Full details in Go live in 5 minutes.
Streamster vs Other Simulcast Solutions
| Feature | Streamster | Restream.io | Manual Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simulcast to FB & IG | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Core feature | ⚠️ Requires 2x bandwidth |
| Product overlays | ✅ Automatic | ❌ Not available | ❌ Manual |
| Checkout during stream | ✅ Full commerce | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Live analytics | ✅ Real-time | ✅ Basic | ❌ Separate dashboards |
| Order management | ✅ Integrated | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Pricing | From $79/month | $16/month | Free (but manual) |
| Built for live selling | ✅ Purpose-built | ❌ General streaming | ❌ No commerce |
The key difference: Restream is a simulcasting tool. Streamster is a complete live selling platform with simulcasting built in. If you sell products live, Streamster replaces the need for separate streaming, commerce, and order management tools.
Tips for Selling on Facebook & Instagram
- Acknowledge viewers on both platforms — "Welcome to everyone joining from Facebook and Instagram!"
- Schedule your streams — announce the same time across both platforms to build a routine
- Use Streamster's product overlays — viewers on both platforms see your products and can click to buy
- Monitor your analytics — see which platform drives more engagement and sales
Next Steps
- Go live in 5 minutes — the arm-then-start go-live flow
- Platform Connections — detailed setup for Facebook and Instagram
- RTMP Setup — configure OBS Studio and Streamlabs
- Product Listings — add products to sell during your streams
- View Streamster pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time?
Yes. All Streamster plans include simulcasting to both Facebook Live and Instagram Live. You stream once to Streamster, and it distributes to both platforms automatically. The Pro plan also includes TikTok and YouTube.
Do I need extra bandwidth to simulcast?
No. You use plain OBS with a single destination — no obs-multi-rtmp plugin and no multiple outputs — and Streamster handles simulcasting server-side via Mux infrastructure. You send one stream, and Streamster fans it out. No extra bandwidth needed on your end.
How is Streamster different from Restream?
Restream focuses exclusively on simulcasting. Streamster combines simulcasting with a complete live selling platform — product overlays, real-time checkout, analytics, and order management — all in one dashboard. If you sell products live, Streamster is purpose-built for you.