How to Use a Multi Stream Viewer for Your Viewing Goals

A multi stream viewer lets you watch video streams from multiple sources, like Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, all at the same time in a single browser tab. Instead of juggling different windows or tabs, you arrange all the streams into a single grid. This is useful for tracking a live event from multiple angles, watching a group of friends who are all streaming, or following breaking news from different channels.

ViewGrid is a free tool for this. You just paste in the links to the streams you want to watch, and it arranges them on your screen. You can then pick which stream’s audio you want to hear at any given moment.

How to Set Up a Multi-Stream Grid

Creating a layout is straightforward and doesn’t require an account. You can build a grid with up to 20 streams on a desktop computer or up to 6 on a mobile device.

1. Go to the multi-stream viewer. Open the ViewGrid multi-stream viewer in your browser. You’ll see a space to add your first stream.
2. Add your streams. Find the stream you want to watch on Twitch, YouTube, Kick, or Rumble. Copy the URL from your browser’s address bar. Paste this link into the input box on ViewGrid and press Enter. The stream will appear in the grid.
3. Repeat for other streams. Continue adding more stream URLs. You can also add direct links to HLS (.m3u8) streams. For YouTube, you can also search for live streams directly from the ViewGrid interface.
4. Choose a layout. As you add streams, they will automatically arrange themselves. You can use the layout buttons to select a different grid configuration, such as a 2x2 grid for four streams or a main stream with smaller ones on the side.
5. Save your layout (optional). If you create a free account, you can save your layouts. This is helpful if you frequently watch the same combination of channels.

The entire grid you create is contained within the page’s URL. This means you can simply copy the URL from your address bar and share it with a friend, and they will see the exact same layout with the same streams you have open.

Managing Audio and Chat

Watching multiple videos at once would be chaotic if all the audio played at the same time. Every stream you add to ViewGrid starts muted.

To hear a stream, click the unmute button on that specific video player. This makes it the active audio source. If you then click the unmute button on a different stream, ViewGrid will automatically mute the first one and switch the audio to your new selection. You can hop between audio sources with a single click.

For streams that have a live chat, you can open it in a side panel. Click the chat icon on a Twitch, YouTube, or Kick stream, and its chat will appear next to your video grid. You can switch to a different stream’s chat by clicking the chat icon on that player.

Custom Layouts for Different Goals

How you arrange your streams depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Here are a few common scenarios and setups.

For Watching Esports and Live Events

When a major tournament is live, there’s often more than just the main broadcast. You might have the official stream, a B-stream with alternate commentary, and individual player point-of-view (POV) streams.

A good setup is to place the main broadcast in a large, primary slot. Then, arrange the POV streams or alternate commentaries in smaller slots around it. This lets you follow the main action while keeping an eye on your favorite player or team. You can quickly switch audio to hear a specific player’s communications or listen to the main casters.

For big, recurring events, you can often find pre-made grids on our live events calendar, saving you the setup time.

For Following News from Multiple Sources

During a breaking news story, different outlets provide different perspectives. Watching them side-by-side can give you a more complete picture.

You can set up a grid with feeds from several news channels. For example, you could have a national broadcaster next to an international one and a local affiliate. By switching audio, you can compare how each is reporting on the same event in real time. This approach helps you see what information is being prioritized by each source.

For Supporting Multiple Creators

If you follow a group of creators who often play together, a multi stream viewer lets you see all their perspectives at once. This is especially useful for multiplayer games where you want to see how each person is contributing to the team’s strategy.

You can create an evenly-sized grid (like 2x2 for four streamers) and switch between their audio to catch key moments or funny reactions. This works even if your favorite creators are on different platforms. You can have a Twitch stream next to a YouTube stream and a Kick stream, all in the same layout.

For Casual and Ambient Viewing

Sometimes you just want something on in the background while you work or relax. A multi stream viewer is great for creating a custom ambiance.

Try combining a 24/7 lofi music stream from YouTube with a silent gameplay VOD or a relaxing art stream from Twitch. You can have the music playing while other windows provide some passive visual interest. It’s more dynamic than a single video and lets you create a personalized, low-attention dashboard.

Practical Considerations

Performance: Keep in mind that every stream you add uses your computer’s resources and internet bandwidth. Each stream is played using the platform's official embedded player. If you find the streams are stuttering, your computer or internet connection may be struggling to keep up. Try closing a few streams to see if performance improves. A grid of 16 or 20 streams requires a powerful machine and a fast, stable connection.

Mobile vs. Desktop: ViewGrid works in mobile browsers and has dedicated apps for iOS and Android. However, the experience is different. Due to the smaller screen size and typically lower processing power of phones, the maximum number of streams is limited to 6. On a desktop, you can have up to 20.

Watching on a TV: ViewGrid doesn't have a built-in "cast" button. To watch a grid on your television, you can use the web browser built into your smart TV to navigate to the site. Alternatively, you can connect a laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable or use your device's built-in screen mirroring features (like AirPlay or Miracast). These methods rely on your own hardware's capabilities.

If you have a more advanced setup, such as multiple monitors, you can create even more comprehensive dashboards. For ideas on how to use that extra screen space, you might find our "Dual Monitor Multi Stream Setup Guide" helpful.