Best Multi Stream Viewer: Is OBS the Right Tool?

If you're looking for the best multi stream viewer and OBS is on your list, you probably already know it's a powerful tool. You can absolutely use it to watch multiple streams, but it’s not what the software was designed for. A simpler, browser-based tool like ViewGrid is often a more direct way to get a grid of streams up and running.

Let's break down the two approaches. We'll look at how you'd use OBS for viewing streams and compare that process to a dedicated web tool, so you can decide which method fits what you need to do.

Using OBS as a Multi Stream Viewer

OBS Studio is primarily designed for broadcasting your own stream. However, its "Browser Source" feature lets you pull in any webpage, including a live stream from Twitch or YouTube. To use it as a viewer, you essentially build a private broadcast scene that you never actually stream.

The process looks something like this:

1. Create a Scene: Open OBS and create a new scene for your stream grid.
2. Add a Browser Source: For each stream you want to watch, you'll add a new "Browser Source."
3. Paste the URL: In the source's properties, you paste the direct URL of the stream you want to watch (e.g., twitch.tv/channelname).
4. Resize and Arrange: You then drag and resize each browser source on the OBS canvas to create your layout.
5. Repeat: You do this for every single stream. If you want to watch four streams, you add four separate browser sources and arrange them manually.

This method gives you precise control over the size and position of each video player, just like you're a TV director in a control room.

The Trade-Offs of the OBS Method

While technically possible, using OBS as a viewer has some practical downsides. It was built for content creation, and its strengths in that area can become complexities when all you want to do is watch.

High Resource Use: Each browser source in OBS is basically a mini web browser. Running several at once can consume a lot of CPU and RAM, potentially slowing down your computer, especially if it’s not a high-end machine.

Complex Audio Control: OBS doesn't have a simple "click to hear this stream" button. By default, you'll hear audio from all browser sources at once. Managing this requires using the advanced audio mixer to mute and unmute individual source channels, which is cumbersome for quickly switching between streams.

No Integrated Chat: The browser source only pulls in the video player. To follow the chat for each stream, you would need to open each one in a separate browser window anyway, defeating some of the purpose of having an all-in-one view.

Manual Setup: Every time you want to watch a new combination of streams, you have to manually add the sources, resize them, and arrange them. There's no quick way to just paste a few channel names and have a grid appear.

A Simpler Approach: Browser-Based Viewers

For most people who just want to watch multiple streams, a dedicated web tool is a more straightforward option. These services are built for one purpose: arranging multiple streams in a grid.

ViewGrid is a free tool that does exactly this. You open it in your web browser, add the streams you want, and it handles the layout and controls for you. There's no software to install or configure.

Here’s how it works:

1. Open the Site: Go to the ViewGrid multi-stream viewer.
2. Add a Stream: Paste a link to a channel or video from YouTube, Twitch, Kick, or Rumble. You can also add custom HLS (.m3u8) stream links.
3. Choose a Layout: The grid automatically adjusts, or you can select a specific layout for up to 20 streams on a desktop computer.
4. Control Audio and Chat: Every stream starts muted. Just click the speaker icon on the one you want to hear. You can open a stream's live chat in a side panel next to the grid.

Because the tool is designed for viewing, the controls are simple and direct. Switching audio is one click. Resizing the grid is a dropdown menu. There's no need to manage scenes or audio mixers.

OBS vs. ViewGrid: Which Should You Use?

Choosing between these two depends entirely on what you're trying to achieve.

You should use OBS if:

You are already an OBS expert and are comfortable working with scenes and sources.
You need pixel-perfect control over the layout, including overlapping sources or adding your own custom graphics and overlays.
* Your primary goal is related to content creation, like restreaming or commenting on other streams (be sure to respect platform terms of service).

You should use a tool like ViewGrid if:

You want to get a multi-stream layout running in seconds, without installing software.
You value simple, one-click controls for switching audio between streams.
You want to easily follow the live chat for one of the streams you're watching.
You want to share your layout with a friend just by copying and pasting the page link.

For events with many simultaneous streams, like a tournament or a rocket launch, a browser tool is often more practical. You can check the Events calendar for pre-made grids that open with a single click.

Common Questions

How many streams can I watch at once?

This depends more on your computer and internet connection than the tool you use. Each stream requires bandwidth and processing power. While ViewGrid supports up to 20 streams on a desktop layout, you might find that your connection can only handle a smaller number smoothly, especially at high quality. It's best to start with a few and add more to see what your system can handle. On a phone, layouts are limited to 6 streams.

Can I watch a multi-stream grid on my TV?

Yes, but it's not a built-in feature of ViewGrid. People typically do this in one of two ways: by connecting a laptop to their TV with an HDMI cable and dragging the browser window over, or by using the web browser built into their smart TV to navigate to the website directly. You can also use your computer or phone's built-in screen mirroring function.

Are there other multi stream viewers?

Yes, there are several options available. If you're looking for a wider comparison of different tools and their specific platform support, the article "Best Multi Stream Viewer: Compare Twitch, Kick, YouTube" provides a broader overview of the landscape.