Side by side
Icecast vs VidBlasterX
Both stand on live tv streaming services. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Icecast provides free, self-hosted streaming with multiple channels, authentication and administration controls. Its shared mountpoint model and format qualifications should guide setup decisions.
Visit Icecast Free plan APIWindows
VidBlasterX offers a modular Windows production environment with streaming, NDI, remote control, and cloud-friendly CPU operation. The trial enables evaluation but adds a watermark, and 4K output requires the Broadcast 4K edition.
Visit VidBlasterXThe facts
| Icecast | VidBlasterX | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Windows | API, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | VidBlasterX6 Studio: $99 a year |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | VidBlasterX |
| Website | icecast.org | vidblaster.com |
| On live tv streaming services | #43 of 169 | #47 of 169 |
Icecast: what it does well
- Free GNU GPL version 2 server software
- Hosts multiple mountpoints and separate channels
- Supports several audio and video formats
- Provides listener and source authentication
- Runs on Linux, Unix and Windows
What to know first
- Listeners share the same stream on a mountpoint
- Some formats are not officially supported
- Windows service capability is no longer built in
- Icecast 2.4.4 receives only security fixes until 2026-12-31
VidBlasterX: what it does well
- Modular saved profiles
- NDI input and output
- Remote-control API
- No GPU required
- Free trial available
What to know first
- Windows 7 64-bit or higher required
- Trial watermarks every output channel
- Studio and Broadcast output stops at 1080p
Alternatives to Icecast Alternatives to VidBlasterX The whole list