Multitwitch Alternative: View Streams Together

Okay, here we go. Let's talk multitwitch alternatives.

So, you wanna watch multiple streams at once, huh? I get it. I live for that. Trying to keep up with all the action across different channels can be a real pain. Especially during big esports tournaments. Like, last week I was flipping between the Valorant Champions Tour and ESL Pro League in CS2. Absolute chaos trying to follow both! That's where a good multistream viewer comes in clutch.

But Multitwitch...it's kinda dated, right? And honestly, it's always felt clunky to me. There are way better options out there these days. Let's explore some multitwitch alternative setups, and why I think ViewGrid is a top contender. I'm going to explain a few things, break it down, and get you watching all your favorite streams at once.

Why You Need a Multistream Viewer (Like, Yesterday)

Seriously, if you're not already using a multistream viewer, you're missing out. And yeah, you could just open a bunch of browser tabs and tile them. I've been there. Don't do that to yourself! Your CPU will hate you, and your brain will probably melt.

Think about it: big esports events, multiple friends streaming different games, keeping an eye on different news channels...the possibilities are endless! I usually have at least three streams going when I'm working — background noise and entertainment all in one.

Here's what makes a good multistream setup essential:

• Efficiency: See everything at a glance instead of alt-tabbing constantly. No more missing crucial moments!
• Organization: Keep your favorite streamers grouped together.
• Engagement: Chat in multiple channels without missing out. (Though maybe don't try to participate in all of them at once...unless you're some kind of multitasking god.)
• Customization: Arrange streams how you want them. Big, small, side-by-side, whatever works for you.

Multistreaming for Esports Fans

Esports, man. It's where the action is. If you're trying to follow a tournament with multiple matches happening simultaneously, a multistream viewer isn't just helpful, it's a necessity.

Imagine the League of Legends World Championship. Games going on at the same time? You bet. Trying to track the main broadcast, plus maybe a player's personal stream, plus a community watch party? Good luck without a multistream setup.

And it's not just League. CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, Apex Legends...basically any major esport benefits from being able to watch multiple streams at once.

Catching All the Action in Sports

It's not just esports, either. Think about NFL Sundays. Or Champions League match days. Or heck, even just keeping up with different news channels during a big breaking story. Being able to watch multiple streams from different sources gives you a much more complete picture of what's going on.

Last year during the World Cup, I had a Spanish-language broadcast, an English-language broadcast, and a fan commentary stream all running at the same time. Best way to soak it all in!

The Social Aspect of Multistreaming

Beyond just efficiency, there's a social element, too. Streaming is all about community, right? Being able to watch multiple streams with your friends, and then hop into a Discord call to discuss what you're seeing, is a next-level viewing experience.

My friends and I do this all the time. We'll pick a game, find a few different streamers playing it, and then all watch together while chatting in Discord. It's like our own little personal live TV channel.

What's Wrong With Multitwitch? (And Why You Need a Better Multitwitch Alternative)

Okay, let's be real. Multitwitch is...old. It works, technically. But it feels like it hasn't been updated since 2012. The interface is clunky, the customization options are limited, and it only supports Twitch (duh, the name kinda gives it away).

Here's my Multitwitch gripe list:

• Limited Platform Support: Only Twitch. What if you want to watch YouTube Gaming streams? Or Kick? Or even just embed a random RTMP stream? You're out of luck.
• Awkward Interface: Adding and arranging streams is a pain. The URL-based system is unintuitive.
• Lack of Features: No built-in chat integration, limited layout options, no easy way to save your setups.
• Performance Issues: It can be a resource hog, especially with multiple high-quality streams running.

It's fine for basic Twitch viewing, I guess. But in 2024, we deserve better. That's why I'm always on the lookout for a good multitwitch alternative.

Why Limit Yourself to Just Twitch?

Seriously, why should you be stuck with only one platform? Twitch is great, but it's not the only game in town anymore. YouTube Gaming has some huge streamers, and Kick is making a splash with its creator-friendly policies.

If you're a true streaming enthusiast, you want to be able to watch multiple streams from anywhere. A good multistream viewer should support all the major platforms, and ideally even allow you to embed custom streams from other sources.

The Pain of URL-Based Stream Management

One of my biggest pet peeves with Multitwitch is the way you have to add streams. It's all based on URLs. You have to manually type in or copy-paste the channel names into the URL. It's clunky, error-prone, and just plain annoying.

A modern multistream viewer should have a user-friendly interface where you can easily search for channels, add them with a click, and rearrange them with drag-and-drop. Is that really too much to ask?

ViewGrid: A Modern Multistream Viewer

Okay, let's talk about ViewGrid. Full disclosure: I write for them, so I'm biased. But I'm biased because I genuinely like the product. I've been using it for months now, and it's become my go-to multitwitch alternative.

ViewGrid multi-stream viewer lets you watch multiple streams from Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, all in one place. And the interface is actually, you know, pleasant to use.

Here's what sets it apart:

• Multi-Platform Support: Twitch, YouTube, Kick...and more platforms on the way. Finally, a multistream viewer that isn't stuck in the past.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to search for channels, add them to your layout, and rearrange them with drag-and-drop.
• Customizable Layouts: Choose from a variety of pre-built layouts, or create your own custom layout.
• Chat Integration: Chat in multiple channels simultaneously, without having to switch between tabs.
• Low Resource Usage: Optimized for performance, so you can watch multiple streams without melting your CPU.

How to Set Up Your First ViewGrid Multistream

Alright, let's get practical. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up your first multistream on ViewGrid:

1. Go to ViewGrid.tv: Obvious, right?
2. Create an Account (Optional): You can use ViewGrid without an account, but creating one lets you save your layouts. Trust me, you'll want to save them.
3. Choose Your Streams: Use the search bar at the top to find the channels you want to watch. You can search by channel name, game, or category.
4. Add Streams to Your Layout: Click the "+" button on each stream to add it to your layout.
5. Arrange Your Layout: Drag and drop the streams to arrange them how you want. You can also resize them to give certain streams more prominence.
6. Adjust Settings: Click the gear icon on each stream to adjust settings like volume, mute, and quality.
7. Start Watching!: That's it! You're now watching multiple streams simultaneously.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different layouts to find what works best for you. I usually go for a 2x2 grid when I'm watching esports, but I prefer a vertical layout when I'm watching news channels.

ViewGrid Features I Can't Live Without

Okay, let me gush for a second about some of my favorite ViewGrid features.

First off, the customizable layouts are a game-changer. I can create a layout specifically tailored to the event I'm watching. For example, when I'm watching a fighting game tournament, I like to have the main bracket on one side and the player cams on the other.

The chat integration is also huge. Being able to participate in multiple chats without switching tabs is so convenient. Although, like I said before, try not to spread yourself too thin! You don't want to be that person who's just spamming emotes in every channel.

And finally, the low resource usage is a lifesaver. My laptop isn't exactly a gaming beast, so I appreciate that ViewGrid doesn't bog it down. I can watch multiple streams without worrying about my computer overheating.

Other Multitwitch Alternatives to Consider

While I'm obviously a big fan of ViewGrid, it's not the only multitwitch alternative out there. Here are a few other options you might want to check out:

• Twitch's built-in Squad Stream: If you only watch Twitch, this is a decent option. It lets you watch up to four streams together. But it's limited to partnered streamers, and the customization options are pretty basic.
• MultiStream.io: This is a web-based multistream viewer that supports Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. It's similar to ViewGrid in terms of functionality, but I find the interface to be a bit clunkier.
• Streamlink: This is a command-line utility that lets you stream videos from various websites in a media player of your choice. It's more technical than the other options, but it gives you a lot of control over the streaming process.

Ultimately, the best multitwitch alternative for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. But I encourage you to try out a few different options and see what works best.

Comparison Table: Multistream Viewers

Here's a quick comparison table to help you decide:

| Feature | Multitwitch | ViewGrid | MultiStream.io | Twitch Squad Stream |
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