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Local vs cloud multistreaming: which makes sense for you?

Local multistreaming gives you direct control and keeps the keys on your PC, but it adds up the upload of every output. A cloud relay uses one local output and replicates it elsewhere, with another dependency in the path.

Published
Reading time
2 min read
Corneta version
0.11.0
Tested with
Corneta 0.6.0 (Windows 11)

The short answer

Choose local when your upload can handle the sum, you want to control each platform separately and you'd rather keep keys and reports on your PC. Choose a cloud relay when your connection can only sustain one good output or when taking the distribution load off your machine is worth the external dependency.

There's no winner without looking at your connection. The same streamer might go local at home and use a relay at an event with tight upload.

What changes in the path

In local mode, OBS delivers one signal to the app, and the app opens one connection per platform. The upload math grows with every output.

With a relay, OBS or an app sends one signal to the cloud. The relay opens the other outputs, so your PC's upload stays close to a single stream.

Side-by-side comparison

FactorLocalCloud relay
Upload at homeSum of the local bitratesOne main output
Re-encoding loadMay use your PC's CPU or GPUMay happen on the service, depending on the plan
KeysStay on your computerMust be handed to the service
Per-destination controlDepends on the local app; in Corneta it's separateDepends on the dashboard and plan
What can fail in betweenYour PC and local connectionThe service, the account and the route to the relay also join the path
Recurring costCorneta's core is freeVaries by service and plan

Enlarge image

Fit
Corneta destinations set up separately for local distribution.

On the local path, each platform can pause or reconnect without pulling the others down.

On the local path, each platform can pause or reconnect without pulling the others down.Source: CornetaCorneta version: 0.11.0

When local fits better

  • your stable upload sits above the sum, with headroom;
  • your PC can handle copying or re-encoding the outputs you chose;
  • you want to pause, test and reconnect one destination at a time;
  • you don't want to hand your stream keys to a relay;
  • Windows and OBS are already part of your setup.

When the cloud saves you a headache

  • your upload only sustains one good-quality output;
  • your machine is already at its limit with the game and OBS;
  • you need to stream from a temporary or unpredictable network;
  • the relay's plan delivers the destinations and settings you need;
  • you're fine with storing your keys on that service.

The middle ground

Not every adaptation means re-encoding everything. In Corneta, Smart copies the compatible destinations and re-encodes only the ones that need to change. That reduces the load on your machine, but each output still uses upload.

Do the math with your own bitrates in the multistream upload guide.