DualStream Relay

DualStream Relay is a relay service for creators who want one PC broadcast distributed to several streaming platforms. It is most suitable for multi-platform streamers who value continuity during brief outages, while single-platform broadcasters may find its paid features unnecessary.

Overview

Relay sends one stream from a PC to DualStream’s servers, which forward it to Twitch, YouTube, Kick and custom RTMP destinations. Twitch, YouTube and Kick connect with one click rather than requiring manual stream-key entry, making a multi-destination setup less cumbersome. The service supports Windows, macOS and iOS, with the same Premium subscription also covering the desktop apps, iPhone app, OBS plugin and MCP server.

Disconnect Protection is the most consequential feature. When the connection from your setup drops, connected platforms remain live on a custom standby screen and resume when you reconnect. That keeps a short outage from immediately becoming a terminated-looking broadcast, although it cannot stop the underlying connection failure.

Key features

Multistreaming and quality

Relay can output up to 2160p60 on YouTube, 2K on Twitch when Enhanced Broadcasting is used, and 1080p60 on Kick, Facebook, TikTok and custom RTMP. Those destination-specific ceilings make it attractive when YouTube or eligible Twitch output is the priority, but creators seeking identical high-resolution delivery everywhere will be limited by the 1080p60 destinations. Hardware encoding, alerts and widgets, a virtual camera and custom RTMP output broaden its usefulness beyond a basic relay.

Continuity and replay

Premium users can upload a custom standby screen and use Disconnect Protection, so viewers receive an intentional holding image rather than an abrupt disappearance. Instant replay clips are included on the free Test Drive tier but carry a watermark; Premium removes it. That makes the free clips suitable for trying the workflow, not for polished publishing.

Security and privacy

OAuth tokens and stream keys are encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM, while data in transit uses TLS 1.2 or later. Chat messages are relayed in real time to the account holder’s authenticated DualStream sessions and are not persistently stored.

Pricing

Test Drive — $0.00, free forever. No payment is required. It includes desktop and mobile direct streaming plus instant replay clips with a watermark. It does not include Relay multistreaming or Disconnect Protection, so it is primarily a no-cost way to use direct streaming and assess watermarked clips.

Premium Monthly — $9.99 per month. The first 30 days are free and cancellation is allowed at any time. It adds Relay multistreaming, Disconnect Protection and watermark-free clips. This is the sensible choice for creators who need the features seasonally or prefer not to commit annually.

Premium Annual — $99.00 per year. It includes the same multistreaming, protection and clip benefits. The annual price is lower than twelve monthly payments, but requires an annual commitment. Discounts are offered for teams and organizations; no seat allowance is stated.

Platforms

Relay supports Windows, macOS and iOS. Premium access extends across the Windows and macOS apps, iPhone app, OBS plugin and MCP server, useful for creators moving between desktop production and mobile control.

Who it's for

Choose Relay if one broadcast must reach Twitch, YouTube, Kick or custom RTMP endpoints and a brief connection loss should show a branded standby screen instead of ending the viewer experience. It also suits creators who want destination-specific high-resolution output and watermarked clips only as a trial. It is less compelling for a single-platform streamer, or for anyone who needs watermark-free replay clips without paying for Premium.

Pros and cons

Pro: One-click Twitch, YouTube and Kick setup avoids copying stream keys.

Pro: Disconnect Protection keeps destinations live and resumes after reconnection.

Pro: Premium covers desktop, iPhone, OBS plugin and MCP server access.

Pro: YouTube can reach 2160p60 and compatible Twitch output 2K.

Con: The free tier has no Relay multistreaming or Disconnect Protection.

Con: Free instant replay clips are watermarked.

Con: Kick, Facebook, TikTok and custom RTMP outputs are capped at 1080p60.

Alternatives

Restream is the better fit for broader platform coverage, including Android, Linux, web and API access; its free plan allows two channels but adds Restream branding and recording limits.

mimoLive suits Mac and iOS users wanting a full feature set on a free, watermarked plan with an iPhone and iPad remote surface.

PRISM Live Studio is an alternative for Android support and a $9.99 monthly plan allowing up to six channels.

StreamChum Studio is worth considering for a studio, chat, overlays and Actions workflow with a free one-platform tier.

Streamster is a choice for Android and web users whose free plan supports two channels at a recommended maximum of 720p.

OBS Studio is the free alternative with no watermarks or usage limitations, but it is a production application rather than this relay service.

OneStream Live fits scheduled multistreaming with a free two-destination, 720p plan and one team seat.

Switcher Studio is aimed at paid, multi-destination production and has no free plan.

Game Streaming Software provides a wider category of options.

Verdict

DualStream Relay is a strong choice for streamers who need one PC stream sent to several destinations and want outages covered by a branded standby screen. Premium is the reason to buy it: multistreaming, automatic resumption and watermark-free clips are practical, clearly defined benefits. Look elsewhere if you only stream to one platform, require a permanently free watermark-free workflow, or need every destination to match YouTube’s highest resolution.