# Best Live Stream Software for Small Business - Page 3 *By [Neeraja Prakash](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/neeraja-prakash)* Products classified in the overall Live Stream category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, small business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Small Business Live Stream to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Small Business Live Stream category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Live Stream Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Small Business Live Stream Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a small business. ## Top Live Stream Software at a Glance | # | Product | Rating | Best For | What Users Say | |---|---------|--------|----------|----------------| | 1 | [Riverside](https://www.g2.com/products/riverside/reviews) | 4.8/5.0 (1,733 reviews) | Remote podcast recording with local 4K backup | "[Studio-quality remote recording that keeps our crew connected across the US](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/riverside-review-13100500)" | | 2 | [Vimeo](https://www.g2.com/products/vimeo/reviews) | 4.3/5.0 (700 reviews) | Multi-platform simulcast with embedded review workflows | "[Vimeo is a tool of my video portfolio!!!](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vimeo-review-2019740)" | | 3 | [YouTube Live](https://www.g2.com/products/youtube-live/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (216 reviews) | Live streaming with VOD archival and SEO | "[Great for design showcases, but the stream latency is noticeable](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/youtube-live-review-12633741)" | | 4 | [Wowza Streaming](https://www.g2.com/products/wowza-streaming/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (147 reviews) | Self-hosted transcoding with protocol flexibility | "[11 Years of Rock-Solid Reliability with Wowza Streaming Engine](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wowza-streaming-review-13074280)" | | 5 | [Facebook Live](https://www.g2.com/products/facebook-live/reviews) | 4.3/5.0 (225 reviews) | Facebook-native live streaming with built-in audience | "[Best Option for Live Streaming Events and Games](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/facebook-live-review-12244149)" | | 6 | [Wistia](https://www.g2.com/products/wistia/reviews) | 4.6/5.0 (1,132 reviews) | Branded webinars with HubSpot lead capture | "[Seamless Video Hosting with User-Friendly Interface](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wistia-review-4364873)" | | 7 | [Castr](https://www.g2.com/products/castr/reviews) | 4.8/5.0 (240 reviews) | Multistreaming church services with minimal bandwidth | "[Effortless Broadcasting with Stellar Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/castr-review-12360651)" | | 8 | [VdoCipher](https://www.g2.com/products/vdocipher/reviews) | 4.9/5.0 (71 reviews) | Live-to-VOD conversion with DRM protection | "[Full control of video delivery](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vdocipher-review-11464212)" | | 9 | [Restream](https://www.g2.com/products/restream/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (67 reviews) | — | "[Easy-to-Use Streaming Platform with Helpful Support.](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/restream-review-13022005)" | | 10 | [Dolby OptiView](https://www.g2.com/products/dolby-optiview/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (206 reviews) | Developer-integrated audio enhancement for live streaming | "[Dolby.io](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/dolby-optiview-review-11364849)" | ## G2 Grid® for Live Stream Software ![G2 Grid® for Live Stream Software plotting products by satisfaction and market presence](https://www.g2.com/categories/live-stream-software/grids.png?focus%5B%5D=103883&focus%5B%5D=136204&focus%5B%5D=1387&focus%5B%5D=41381&focus%5B%5D=76123&focus%5B%5D=103880&focus%5B%5D=58154&focus%5B%5D=1831) Highlighted products: YouTube Live, Riverside, Vimeo, Wowza Streaming, Castr, Facebook Live, VdoCipher, and Wistia. Underlying data: [Grid® JSON](https://www.g2.com/categories/live-stream-software/grids.json?focus%5B%5D=youtube-live&focus%5B%5D=riverside&focus%5B%5D=vimeo&focus%5B%5D=wowza-streaming&focus%5B%5D=castr&focus%5B%5D=facebook-live&focus%5B%5D=vdocipher&focus%5B%5D=wistia&segment=small-business) ## How Many Live Stream Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 213 ### Category Stats (Jul 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.52/5 (↑0.01 vs Jun 2026) The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **Top Trending Product**: Muvi Live (+1.75%) - Among all products in this category, Muvi Live recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: July 16, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Live Stream Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 8,600+ Authentic Reviews - 213+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. --- **Sponsored** ### Fathom Fathom is the #1-rated AI meeting partner that captures what matters and turns every conversation into clear, actionable outcomes. It surfaces decisions, makes every meeting searchable, and syncs insights directly into CRM and productivity tools – eliminating manual work. Named to G2’s 2026 Best Software Awards Top 100, and recognized by HubSpot as its 2025 Most Used App of the Year, Fathom is trusted by hundreds of thousands of companies worldwide to help individuals stay focused, teams stay aligned, and organizations move faster. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1901&secure%5Bchosen_at%5D=2026-07-17T07%3A43%3A11Z&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1567&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=retargeted_product&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=156120&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=156120&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1901&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Flive-stream-software%2Fsmall-business%3Fpage%3D3&secure%5Btoken%5D=ff7b39a1793a7c4d5a65b007ac5163b4d174da66e99faabef902a9462ea21e8e&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fathom.ai%2F%3Futm_campaign%3Dg2_ads%26utm_source%3Dg2%26utm_medium%3Dpaidsearch%26utm_content%3Dclick_all&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## What Is Live Stream Software? [Video Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/video) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Live Stream Software? - [Video Hosting Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-hosting-platforms) - [Webinar Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/webinar) - [Video CMS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-cms) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Live Stream Software? ### What You Should Know About Live Stream Software ### What is Live Stream Software? Live stream tools give users a platform for hosting live stream videos. These tools broadcast videos that viewers watch in real time. Viewers can interact with the stream in a variety of ways including chat messages and monetized engagement efforts. Engagement is monetized by letting viewers purchase an interaction (usually in the form of an emote) with the streamer, often with perks attached. Many platforms amplify interactions made by a user that attached a donation to their message. This feature lets streamers gain their own revenue that’s not attached to advertisements, and guarantees visible interaction with the streamer viewers are watching. Live stream platforms are dominated by the video gaming industry but are also utilized by professionals in other industries. Due to instant feedback and real time engagement, live streams are beneficial to any business that wants to share their media instantly. A business may live stream to announce a new product, introduce a change or transition the company is planning, or interact with viewers and encourage real time engagement. Users can implement [live stream broadcasting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/live-stream-broadcasting) into their live streaming routines to create polished live streams. Live stream broadcasting software enables users to record and edit the audio and visuals of a stream in real time and after the stream ends. This is an ideal tool to use for businesses that want to incorporate branded visuals into a stream. Key Benefits of Live Stream Software - Streams videos in real time - Allows viewers to interact with the stream - Collects revenue via advertisements or monetized viewer engagement ### Why Use Live Stream Software? Unlike [video hosting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-hosting), live stream tools offer more perks for businesses that want instant connections with viewers. Live streams offer a way for streamers and viewers to interact with each other in real time. This software encourages transparency, since live videos are more candid. This opens up interaction opportunities for both streamers and viewers. For example, businesses can leverage the chat function by interacting with comments in the feed. Viewers can chat, ask questions, or give feedback in the chat and the streamer can engage with the viewer instantaneously. Situations that benefit from a live stream include Q&A sessions, meetings, conferences, or announcements. ### Who Uses Live Stream Software? Businesses across all industries can find a use case for live stream platforms. A business that sells a product can use live stream platforms to announce product changes, demo a product to prospective clients, or introduce a brand new product. **Customer service staff —** Customer service departments can solve customer questions and concerns in a live environment, leading to quick resolutions and happier customers. **Marketing staff —** Marketing departments may find live streaming useful for showcasing branded video content or receiving brand-related feedback in real time. **Communication staff —** Situations that benefit from instant audience interactions, such as feedback requests and educational sessions, present a use case for implementing live streaming as a communication strategy as well. ### Live Stream Software Features Live stream tools boast a variety of engaging features that benefit the streamer and the viewer. **Hosted platform —** Live stream is hosted on a dedicated cloud-based streaming platform. Audience members have to visit the platform to access the stream. **Multi-platform streaming —** This feature allows a live stream to be played on multiple platforms or social media sites concurrently. **Audience tools —** This feature lets audience members rewind or pause the live stream. **Live chat —** This feature provides a chat box, allowing viewers to interact with one another and with the streamer. **Video archive —** This feature lets users store videos and interact with an archive of previous streams that can then be accessed later by streamers themselves or audience members. **Monetization —** The monetization feature lets streamers monetize their live stream through donations, ads, and paywalls. **Audience engagement —** Audience engagement features let users observe analytics on audience count, audience demographics, and audience engagement. In addition, audience engagement tools allow instant audience and streamer feedback. **Highlight clips —** This feature allows streamers to create highlight clips of their streams that can be hosted on the streaming platform or exported to another video hosting solution. ### Trends Related to Live Stream Software Since live streams engage viewers in real time, there is maximized potential for educational interactions between the streamer and the viewer. Because of this, educational live streams are on the rise. **Educational streams —** Many businesses live stream ongoing educational programs. Programs could have a variety of focuses, such as product training, customer onboarding, training, or helpful Q&A sessions. ### Potential Issues with Live Stream Software **Transparency —** Live streams are live, meaning videos cannot be edited in real time. While live stream broadcasting software allows users to produce live streams and edit live streams after they’ve premiered, live streams should be approached the same way as live television. Due to this, streamers need to have a level of preparation that is not required for edited videos. Streamers should be aware that everything said and done in a live stream is seen instantly by viewers. To prevent potential slip-ups, such as accidentally sharing confidential information or stammering dialogue, streamers should take extra time to prepare for streams in an effort to prevent on-air mistakes. **Lack of editing features —** While live videos have the advantage of real time engagement, they cannot be held to the same editing standards as a normal video. Videos that are not live streams can be edited by users prior to being uploaded on a video hosting website in more ways than video broadcasting tools or live stream platforms. Because of the lack of editing involved, live streams may end up looking less professional due to lack of video quality, scene transitions, and other editing normalities. However, if they desire, users can edit a live stream after it has aired. ### Software and Services Related to Live Stream Software There are several software options that users can implement alongside live stream tools for an enhanced video creation experience. [**Audio editing software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/audio-editing) **—** Audio editing software is a robust tool that covers many aspects of adjusting and adding audio effects to videos. Users who implement audio editing tools alongside live stream tools will have access to more audio-specific features to further enhance the audio portions of their stream. [**Video editing software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-editing) **—** Video editing software, like audio editing software, is a robust tool focused on granular video adjustments and enhancements. Live streamers can use video editing software to edit recorded streams intended for sharing and distribution. [**Video effects software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-effects) **—** Video effects software is similar to video editing software because it enhances recorded videos. Video effects software takes it a step further by offering users the ability to create custom effects such as animations and GIFs that can be used within video editing platforms. Additionally, video effects software provides deeper video manipulation tools for users looking for advanced video effects.