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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If you want a live show recorded and available afterward, choose a tool based on where it stores the recording, how much it keeps, and how you retrieve an independent copy. StreamYard offers a managed recording library in hours; Restream combines video storage with reuse and download workflows; OBS Studio records to a folder on your computer, so cloud storage and backup are up to you. These approaches are not interchangeable, and a cloud recording should not be assumed to be a durable backup.
What “cloud storage” means for streaming recordings
A tool may save a broadcast to its own online library, keep uploaded videos for later streams, or record locally to your computer. Those are different workflows. Compare the storage unit and quota, whether live recordings are saved, download and sharing options, retention rules, and what happens when storage fills.
Cloud recording is also not necessarily a second, durable copy. Restream explicitly says its video storage is not a replacement for a hard drive or other backups. For a valuable show, arrange a separate copy you control.
Comparison: StreamYard, Restream, and OBS Studio
| Option | Storage model | Best fit | Checks before relying on it |
|---|---|---|---|
| StreamYard | Managed cloud recordings on paid plans; quota is measured in recording hours. | Creators or teams who want a browser studio and an automatically saved show library. | Current plan allowance, recording limits, add-on terms, download access, and what happens at quota. |
| Restream | Cloud video storage for uploaded videos and past stream recordings; limits depend on subscription. | Workflows that reuse uploaded clips or need to download and share recordings. | Tier-specific capacity and retention, paid-feature eligibility, and a separate backup. |
| OBS Studio | Local recording to a path chosen on the user’s computer. | People who want local recording controls and user-managed files. | Available disk space, format, computer capacity, and a separately managed cloud backup. |
This is a comparison of documented approaches, not an exhaustive list of streaming products. Judge them by storage and retrieval workflow rather than price alone.
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StreamYard: a managed recording library
StreamYard’s help center, accessed in 2026, lists Free storage at 5 hours; Core, Advanced, and Teams at 50 hours; and Business at 700+ hours by default. These are vendor plan limits, not independent measurements, and plan terms can change. The Business capacity may be configured. See the StreamYard storage help page.
The Free plan’s limited storage should not be confused with a saved library of live broadcasts: StreamYard says Free live streams are not saved to its library. The pricing page lists Free with 2 hours per month of local recordings and six on-screen participants; it lists Core with 50 hours of permanent storage, cloud recording, and unlimited local recordings. Paid plan users can download recordings. Check the current StreamYard pricing page and recording download instructions for current terms.
What happens at the storage limit
StreamYard says a broadcast can continue after storage is exceeded, while recording is disabled until you add storage or remove recordings. That distinction matters if you depend on the recording: a live show continuing does not mean a copy is being saved. Its help page describes add-on levels of 100, 200, and 400 hours, but rates and terms should be checked on the current vendor page. The storage article also says an upgrade replaces the available storage allowance rather than simply adding the stated hours to the previous allowance.
Restream: store, reuse, download, and share
Restream describes video storage as a place for uploaded videos intended for future streams, clips for playback during a stream, and past stream recordings for download, reuse, or sharing. Its help center says uploads or imports can come from desktop or mobile, Descript, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Capacity depends on subscription. See Restream’s video storage details.
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Recordings can be accessed through video storage, past streams, or the studio/RTMP setup, then downloaded or shared by link; Restream labels downloading a paid feature. The vendor documents public or passcode-protected sharing. The available documentation does not establish a universal retention duration across plans, so check your specific plan rather than assuming recordings remain available for a particular number of days. See Restream’s recording download instructions.
Because Restream warns that its storage is not a backup replacement, download or copy important recordings to a separate drive or file-storage account.
OBS Studio: record locally, then manage the cloud copy
OBS Studio writes recordings to the configured Recording Path on your computer. You can record while streaming or record offline, but OBS does not itself provide the managed cloud library described above. To retain recordings online, set up your own upload, sync, or backup workflow. The OBS recording guide explains the path setting and recording workflow.
Choose a format that can survive interruptions
OBS recommends MKV because an interrupted recording is less likely to corrupt the entire file. MP4 is broadly compatible, but if writing is interrupted the file may be unrecoverable. If an editor requires MP4, OBS can remux an MKV recording to MP4 using its built-in process. Check the OBS audio and video formats guide for format trade-offs.
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- Built for Creators: Capture, edit, and transfer with ease. NVMe SSD with premium NAND Flash delivers up to 2100MB/s—perfect for 4K video, RAW photos, and gaming assets
- Record Without Limits: Direct 4K 120fps HDR recording from compatible USB-C iOS/Android phones, cameras, and tablets with supported pro apps. Ideal for high-bitrate shooting on the go
- Rugged, Reliable, Ready: Durable aluminum shell with water- and drop-proof protection. SMART monitoring and advanced error correction keep your data safe in any environment
- Works Where You Do: True plug-and-play with laptops, desktops, cameras, projectors, and more. Fully compatible with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebooks, Android, Linux, PS4, PS5, and Xbox devices
- Pocket-Sized Power & Capacity Notice: Ultra-slim 2.85 × 1.52 × 0.40 in, 0.03 lb SSD fits any pocket or gear bag. Actual usable storage may be ~7–10% less than labeled due to system calculation differences. Supports up to 2100MB/s under ideal USB 3.2 Gen 2x2/Thunderbolt 4/5 conditions; older interfaces may reduce speeds
Build a separate backup workflow
- Choose a recording destination with enough free space; an external SSD is one possible destination or transfer medium, not a required product or specified capacity.
- After recording, copy or sync the file to a second location such as an external drive or cloud file-storage account.
- Verify the copied file opens before deleting the original. A sync destination is useful only if the copy completed and is retrievable.
Restream documents importing from Google Drive and Dropbox, but that does not establish a native OBS-to-drive backup integration. Treat OBS upload or sync as a separate setup that you choose and manage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing the right workflow
- Choose StreamYard if you want a browser studio and a managed recording library, and its current plan’s hours, download access, and quota behavior suit your volume.
- Choose Restream if you need cloud-held uploads and past recordings in a reuse, download, or sharing workflow, after confirming your subscription’s capacity and terms.
- Choose OBS Studio if local control and files on your own computer matter most, and you are prepared to manage disk space and a separate backup.
Before committing, estimate how many hours of recordings you need to retain, how long you need them, whether you need downloads or share links, and who will maintain the second copy. Vendor allowances and plan details can change; verify them directly before purchase.
Keep a YouTube channel live around the clock
For a different job—keeping a YouTube channel live 24/7 from uploaded videos—StreamNeo is the first option to consider: it loops uploaded video from the cloud, at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and the first day is free.
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud.
Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. The upload streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers; StreamNeo attempts automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. After that, the monthly option is $9.99 per month. Start the free day on StreamNeo.
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