Multi Stream Viewer: Compare OBS, ViewGrid & More!

Okay, here we go...

So, you want to watch multiple streams at once? I get it. I live for it. Whether it's keeping an eye on several esports tourneys at the same time (I can't miss a single second of the action during the Valorant Champions!), or just chilling with a few of my favorite variety streamers while I work, a good multi stream viewer is essential.

But finding the best way to do it? That's the tricky part.

I've been messing around with different solutions for years, from janky browser setups to full-blown OBS scenes. Some work, some definitely don't. And some are just way more hassle than they're worth.

I'm going to break down a few of the most popular options, compare their pros and cons, and hopefully help you figure out what's going to be the best multi stream viewer for your needs. Let's get into it!

Why Even Bother with Multi Streaming?

Seriously though, why wouldn't you want to watch more than one stream at once?

Okay, okay, I know it sounds a bit chaotic. But hear me out.

• Esports Fanatics: This is me, 100%. During big tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship or the CS:GO Majors, there are often multiple matches happening simultaneously. Ain't nobody got time to flip back and forth between tabs, hoping they don't miss a crucial play. A multistream setup lets you keep an eye on all the action.
• Variety Stream Junkies: Maybe you like to bounce around between different streamers, catching a bit of this and a bit of that. I do this all the time. I'll have a gaming stream going, a music stream, and maybe even a chill ASMR stream all running at the same time. It's all about the vibes, man.
• News & Events Overload: In today's crazy world, it can be helpful to keep track of multiple news sources at once. I wouldn't recommend only getting your news from streamers (do your own research!), but having a few different perspectives can be valuable.
• Learning & Development: Okay, this one's a bit niche, but I've actually used multi-streaming to learn new skills. For example, when I was trying to get better at Valorant, I'd watch multiple streams of pro players at the same time, focusing on different aspects of their gameplay. It's like having multiple coaches at once!
• Just Because You Can: Honestly, sometimes it's just fun to see how many streams you can handle before your brain melts. Don't judge.

And look, if you're thinking "my internet connection can't handle that," you might be surprised. Modern streaming platforms are pretty efficient, and as long as you're not trying to watch multiple streams in 4K, you can probably get away with it.

The Contenders: OBS, VLC, and Dedicated Multi Stream Viewers

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. What are your options for watching multiple streams at the same time? I'm going to focus on the ones I've actually used (or at least seriously considered using), because I can give you a real, honest opinion.

OBS Studio: The DIY Powerhouse

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is primarily known as a streaming software, but it can also be used as a multi stream viewer. It's free, open-source, and incredibly powerful. You can basically create any layout you want, adding multiple browser sources, resizing them, and positioning them however you like. Think of it like a video editing suite, but for live streams.

Pros:

• Highly Customizable: Seriously, the sky's the limit. You can add custom overlays, alerts, and even audio filters to each stream.
• Free and Open-Source: Can't beat the price!
• Lots of Tutorials: There are tons of tutorials online that show you how to do just about anything with OBS.
• Low Latency: If you configure it right, you can get very low latency streams, which is crucial for esports.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: OBS can be intimidating for beginners. There are a lot of settings and options to wrap your head around.
• Resource Intensive: Running multiple browser sources in OBS can put a serious strain on your CPU and memory.
• Setup Time: Getting everything configured just the way you want it can take a while.
• Maintenance: Streaming platforms change their code all the time, which means you might have to tweak your OBS setup every now and then to keep things working smoothly. Last week I was watching a streamer who had to completely redo their browser source because Twitch changed something.

Pro Tip: If you're going to use OBS for multi-streaming, make sure you have a powerful computer with plenty of RAM. Also, experiment with different browser source settings to optimize performance.

VLC Media Player: The Unexpected Hero?

Okay, this one might surprise you. VLC is usually thought of as a video player for local files, but it can actually watch multiple streams too. It's not as elegant or customizable as OBS, but it's a surprisingly effective solution, and it's super lightweight.

Pros:

• Lightweight: VLC is incredibly efficient, even when playing multiple streams.
• Simple to Use: Just paste in the stream URLs and you're good to go.
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Free and Open-Source: Again, can't beat the price!

Cons:

• Limited Customization: You can't really customize the layout or add overlays.
• No Chat Integration: You'll have to open the chat windows separately in your browser.
• Stream URL Required: You need to find the direct stream URL, which isn't always easy.
• Can Be Unreliable: Sometimes VLC just refuses to play certain streams, or it'll randomly crash.

Pro Tip: To multistream with VLC, open multiple instances of the program and paste the stream URLs into each one. Then, resize the windows and arrange them on your screen. It's not pretty, but it works.

Dedicated Multi Stream Viewers: Purpose-Built for Glory

This is where things get interesting. There are a number of dedicated multi stream viewer platforms out there, designed specifically for watching multiple streams at once. These platforms typically offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience than OBS or VLC, with features like chat integration, customizable layouts, and built-in stream directories. This is where ViewGrid multi-stream viewer comes in, but I'll talk more about that later.

Pros:

• Easy to Use: These platforms are typically very intuitive and easy to get started with.
• Chat Integration: Most dedicated viewers include built-in chat windows for each stream.
• Customizable Layouts: You can usually arrange the streams however you like.
• Stream Directories: Some platforms include built-in directories that make it easy to find new streams to watch multiple streams from.

Cons:

• Cost: Some dedicated viewers are subscription-based.
• Platform Lock-in: You're typically limited to the platforms that the viewer supports.
• Features Vary: The features and quality can vary widely from platform to platform.
• Reliability: Some platforms can be buggy or unreliable.

ViewGrid: My Go-To Multi Stream Viewer

Okay, so I've tried a bunch of different multi stream viewer solutions over the years, and honestly, ViewGrid multi-stream viewer has become my go-to. It strikes a good balance between ease of use, customization, and performance. I've been using it for months now, and I'm constantly impressed by how reliable it is.

Why I Like ViewGrid:

• Simple Interface: The interface is clean and intuitive. I was able to get started in minutes.
• Multi-Platform Support: It supports Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, which covers pretty much all of my streaming needs.
• Customizable Layouts: I can arrange the streams however I like, and even save my favorite layouts for later.
• Chat Integration: The built-in chat windows are a lifesaver.
• Low Latency: The streams are low latency, which is great for watching esports.
• It Just Works: Seriously, this is the biggest thing for me. It's reliable and I don't have to mess around with settings all the time.

I like that I can easily switch between different layouts depending on what I'm watching. For example, when I'm watching esports, I like to have a larger main window for the primary match, with smaller windows for the other matches. But when I'm just chilling with variety streamers, I prefer to have all the streams equally sized.

How to Get Started with ViewGrid:

Okay, here's a quick step-by-step guide to getting started with ViewGrid:

1. Go to ViewGrid.tv: Head over to the ViewGrid multi-stream viewer page.
2. Add Streams: Click the "+" button to add your first stream. You can enter the streamer's name or the stream URL.
3. Repeat: Add as many streams as you want.
4. Arrange the Layout: Drag and drop the stream windows to arrange them however you like. You can also resize them to create a custom layout.
5. Save Your Layout: Once you're happy with your layout, click the "Save" button to save it for later.
6. Enjoy! That's it! You're now watching multiple streams at once.

ViewGrid vs. The Competition:

Here's a quick comparison of ViewGrid vs. OBS and VLC:

| Feature | ViewGrid | OBS Studio | VLC Media Player |
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