A Guide to Finding a Good Multitwitch Alternative

If you're searching for a multitwitch alternative, you likely need a way to watch several streams at once, and not just from Twitch. ViewGrid is a free tool that lets you build a custom layout of live streams and videos from YouTube, Twitch, Kick, and other platforms, all in your browser. It's designed to solve the modern problem of following creators who are spread across different sites.

For years, "multitwitch" was the common term for any site that put multiple Twitch streams on one page. These tools were useful, but the streaming world has changed. With creators signing deals with YouTube or moving to platforms like Kick, a Twitch-only viewer is no longer enough for many people.

Why Old Multi-Stream Methods Fall Short

When you want to watch multiple events, you might have tried a few different approaches. The official platforms have their own features, but they are often limited for viewers who want to build their own custom experience.

Platform-Specific Tools

Twitch has a "Squad Stream" feature that lets a group of creators combine their broadcasts. It’s a great way to see multiple perspectives in a single game, but it has a key limitation: the streamers have to set it up themselves. As a viewer, you can't create your own squad of channels to watch.

Similarly, YouTube sometimes offers a "Multiview" option for major sporting events. You might get to choose between different camera angles for a race or see several games at once. Again, this is curated by YouTube for specific events. You can't use it to build your own grid of your favorite creators.

The "Many Tabs" Method

The most common workaround is just opening each stream in a separate browser tab. While this works, it can be clumsy. Your computer's resources get stretched thin, audio from different tabs can overlap, and you spend more time managing windows than watching the content. A dedicated tool is designed to handle these video feeds more efficiently.

What to Look for in a Multitwitch Alternative

A good modern multi-stream tool should handle the basics well, giving you control without being complicated. Here are the key things that matter.

1. Cross-Platform Support

This is the most important feature. A true alternative needs to pull in streams from all the places you watch. You should be able to add a streamer from Twitch next to one from YouTube, and another from Kick, all in the same grid. ViewGrid supports Twitch, YouTube (both live streams and regular videos), Kick, Rumble, and even direct HLS video links.

2. Simple Layout and Audio Controls

You need to be able to arrange the streams how you want and easily control the sound. Look for a tool that lets you:
Choose a layout: Instantly arrange streams into a grid that fits your screen. On a desktop, you can often fit many streams (ViewGrid supports up to 20), while on a phone, a smaller number makes more sense (up to 6).
Switch audio easily: Multiple streams playing audio at once is chaotic. A good system mutes every stream by default and lets you unmute just one at a time with a single click.
* Focus on one stream: Sometimes you want to make one stream the main focus without losing the others. The ability to quickly enlarge one video player is very useful.

3. No Account Required to Start

You shouldn't have to sign up for an account just to watch a few streams. While creating a free account can be useful for saving your favorite layouts for later, the core function of building a grid should be available to everyone immediately.

How to Create a Multi-Stream Layout

Using a tool like ViewGrid is straightforward. You can build a custom viewing experience in just a few steps.

1. Add Your Streams
2. Go to the main page and find the input box. You can add a stream by pasting its URL directly. For example, copy the link to a Twitch channel, a YouTube video, or a Kick stream and paste it in. You can also just type a channel name, and the system will try to find it.

1. Choose Your Layout
2. As you add streams, they will appear on the screen. Use the layout controls to arrange them. You can select a simple 2x2 grid for four streams, a vertical layout for two, or larger grids if you have a big monitor.

1. Manage the Audio
2. Every stream you add will start muted. Hover over the video player you want to hear and click the speaker icon to unmute it. If you click the audio icon on another stream, the first one will automatically mute, so you only ever hear one at a time.

1. Open the Chat
2. To participate in the conversation, you can open the live chat for any Twitch, YouTube, or Kick stream. This usually places the chat in a side panel next to your grid of videos, so you can watch and type without leaving the page.

1. Share Your Grid
2. One of the most useful features is the ability to share your setup. The page URL automatically updates to include all the streams in your grid. If you've built the perfect layout for watching an event with friends, you can just copy the link from your browser's address bar and send it to them. When they open it, they'll see the exact same streams you have.

For a more detailed walkthrough of the interface, you might find our guide on the ViewGrid multi-stream viewer helpful.

Watching on Different Devices

How you watch multiple streams often depends on what device you're using.

Desktop and Laptop
This is the best experience for multi-streaming, as you have the most screen space. You can fit up to 20 streams in a single ViewGrid layout and have plenty of room for a separate chat panel. A stable internet connection and a reasonably modern computer are recommended when loading many streams at once.

Mobile Phones and Tablets
You can also build grids on your phone's web browser (at viewgrid.tv/m) or by using the iOS and Android apps. Because the screen is smaller, the number of simultaneous streams is limited to six to keep things usable.

Watching on a TV
To get a multi-stream grid on your television, you have a few options. Many people use the web browser built into their smart TV to open the ViewGrid website directly. Others connect a laptop to their TV with an HDMI cable. You can also use your computer or phone's built-in screen mirroring features. These methods rely on your own device's capabilities, as ViewGrid itself does not have a "cast" button.

Finding Ready-Made Grids for Live Events

Sometimes you don't want to build a grid from scratch. For major live events, like esports tournaments, rocket launches, or breaking news, it can be useful to see multiple perspectives at once. For these situations, you can check the event calendar. It contains pre-built grids for popular events, letting you load multiple official streams and commentator watch-parties with a single click.