Owncast

Free plan APILinuxMacSelf-hostedWeb

What Owncast is

Owncast is free, open-source software for hosting live streams on your own server through standard streaming protocols. The project lists no subscriptions, viewer limits, or forced ads. Its built-in real-time chat includes moderation tools, custom emotes, and user authentication without requiring another service. Stream owners can change page colors, add their own CSS, and use a custom domain. Owncast connects with Mastodon and ActivityPub platforms and can notify followers through multiple channels when a stream starts. It supports plugins, a web API, and existing broadcasting tools. Installation options include an installer, a single-file download, Docker, and hosting providers that install it automatically. Listed downloads cover Linux and macOS, including ARM builds. Owncast says accounts are not required, tracking and data harvesting are not performed, and streamers and viewers can remain anonymous. The project identifies independent creators, groups, developers, and enterprises as audiences. It does not provide multistreaming, pre-recorded streams, a browser-based studio, custom RTMP destinations, or unified chat.

Who it suits

Owncast suits independent creators, groups, developers, and enterprises that want to run livestream infrastructure on their own server. It is also relevant to users who want customization, built-in chat, and no required accounts or tracking.

What it does well

No subscriptions, viewer limits, or forced ads
Built-in chat includes moderation and custom emotes
Supports Mastodon and ActivityPub
Custom CSS and domains are supported
Offers Docker and single-file installation options

What to know first

No multistreaming support
No browser-based studio
No custom RTMP destinations
No unified chat

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free and open-source self-hosted software	No subscriptions · no viewer limits · no forced ads	Free

As owncast.online lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Owncast provides self-hosted live streaming with chat, customization, federation, and several installation routes. Its missing multistreaming, browser studio, and unified-chat features matter to broadcasters seeking centralized production tools.

Facts from Owncast's own pages

Audience: The project identifies independent creators, groups, developers, and enterprises as audiences for Owncast. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Browser-based studio: No · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026
Chat: Built-in real-time chat includes moderation tools, custom emotes, and user authentication without requiring a third-party service. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Customization: Owners can customize the page with colors or their own CSS and use their own domain. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Custom RTMP destinations: No · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026
Fediverse: Owncast connects with Mastodon and ActivityPub platforms. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026
Install options: The site lists an installer, a single-file download, Docker, and hosting providers that install Owncast automatically. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Integrations: The project describes support for plugins, a web API, and existing broadcasting tools. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Multistreaming: No · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026
Notifications: Owncast can notify followers through various channels when a stream goes live. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Pre-recorded streams: No · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026
Pricing limits: The project says Owncast has no subscriptions, viewer limits, or forced ads. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Privacy: The site says Owncast requires no accounts, does no tracking or data harvesting, and can let streamers and viewers remain anonymous. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Product: Owncast is open-source software for running a live stream on your own server using standard streaming protocols. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Project maintenance: The project says community funding helps cover running costs and supports ongoing maintenance and development. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Security reporting: The security page asks users to report suspected vulnerabilities privately by email and not to open a public GitHub issue. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The contact page directs general usage and support questions to its community chat and bugs to its issue tracker. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Supported downloads: The releases page lists Linux and macOS downloads, including ARM builds. · owncast.online, 9 Oct 2026
Unified chat: No · owncast.online, 20 Sept 2026