Tag: Upstream pricing

Upstream’s pricing is simpler than most streaming tools: you pay per stream, every plan gets every feature, and there are no add-ons. That makes it easy to read and easy to misjudge. Below I’ve put real setups against the price list so you can see what you’d pay before you sign up.

Last updated: 5 November 2026 · By Alan Spicer, YouTube Certified Expert

Part of the Upstream live streaming series.

Upstream plans and prices in 2026

Upstream lists every price on its pricing page. Here it is in one table, using the 1080p, 30 fps base rate.

Source: Upstream pricing page, checked 19 October 2026. Prices in US dollars; taxes and VAT may be added at checkout.

Three things stand out. First, every plan, including free, has the same features, so multistreaming and overlays never cost extra. Second, each stream can go to up to 10 platforms, so you aren’t paying per destination. Third, you only pay more when you need more streams running at the same time, a higher frame rate or 4K.

What does “one stream” mean on Upstream?

This is the line that decides your bill, so it’s worth being clear. A stream is one live output running at a time. That single stream can be sent to up to 10 destinations, so YouTube, Twitch, Kick and Facebook all showing the same show counts as one stream, not four.

You need a second stream when you want two different things live at once. Two separate 24/7 channels, say a lofi channel and a rain-sounds channel, are two streams. A weekly live show and a 24/7 channel running at the same moment are also two streams.

60 fps and 4K pricing

The base price covers 1080p at 30 fps. Higher frame rates and 4K are paid options you add to a stream, and Upstream says yearly billing for 60 fps or 4K is 10% cheaper than monthly, against 20% for the 1080p base. The pricing page doesn’t print a separate surcharge in its text, so check the plan builder for the current figure before you commit.

What you’d pay for real setups

Here are the setups I see most on coaching calls, priced at the 1080p, 30 fps rate.

Prices from the Upstream pricing page, checked 19 October 2026. Yearly figures are my arithmetic from the stated per-stream rates.

The first two rows are the part most people miss. If you stream on a schedule rather than around the clock, you may never need to pay. My Upstream free plan review shows how far 24 hours a month stretches.

Is $30 a month worth it for a 24/7 stream?

Only if the stream earns more than it costs, either in ad revenue or in what it does for the rest of your channel. Here’s a simple way to check.

RPM is what you earn per 1,000 views after YouTube’s cut. If your 24/7 stream’s RPM were $5, you’d need 6,000 monetised views a month to cover $30. At $2 you’d need 15,000. Those RPMs are examples to show the maths, not a prediction: rates vary a lot by niche and country.

Arithmetic only: views needed = price ÷ RPM × 1,000. VAT, where it applies, raises the bar.

There’s a second payback that’s harder to measure. A 24/7 stream adds watch time and gives new viewers somewhere to land, which I cover in how to increase YouTube watch time with 24/7 livestreams and how to increase your YouTube RPM with livestreaming. If you’re building toward monetisation, archived public live streams count toward the watch-hour target in the 2027 monetisation requirements.

Upstream pricing vs Restream, StreamYard, Gyre and OneStream

Each tool prices a different job, so a straight price list misleads. I’ve lined them up on the job most readers ask about: the cheapest way to multistream, and the cheapest way to run a stream around the clock.

Sources: each provider’s pricing page, checked 19 October 2026, except where marked. Upstream’s own comparison pages were used only for the Restream looping note.

Read that table fairly and each tool has a case. Restream is cheaper if all you want is to multistream a live show to three platforms. StreamYard’s paid plans are built for interview shows and record each guest separately, which Upstream doesn’t. Gyre is a focused 24/7 YouTube tool with features I’ve covered in my Gyre pricing breakdown, and it’s competitive if you run several 60 fps loops. Upstream wins on the free plan, on platforms per stream and on the price of one always-on stream. The full head-to-head is in my Gyre vs Upstream comparison.

Is there an Upstream coupon code or discount?

I’m not aware of a public coupon, and I won’t invent one. The real savings are built into the price list: the free plan for light use, 20% off the 1080p base when you pay yearly, and the drop to $20 a stream (or $16 yearly) once you run four or more streams.

My recommendation for most people: start free, prove the format, then switch to yearly billing once you know you’ll stream every month. That order costs nothing to test and saves you a fifth on the base rate once you commit.

Billing, VAT and cancelling

• Payment: checkout runs through Stripe and takes major credit and debit cards. Larger accounts that need invoices or a different billing set-up are asked to contact support first.
• VAT: taxes and VAT may be added at checkout depending on where you’re billed. If 20% UK VAT applies, $30 becomes $36.
• Cancelling: you can cancel any time and keep paid access until the end of the billing period.
• Changing plans: you can change stream count, billing period, resolution and frame rate later, so you can start small.

People also ask

Upstream pricing FAQ

How much does a 24/7 YouTube stream cost on Upstream?

One stream running around the clock costs $30 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly ($288 a year), at 1080p and 30 fps. The free plan can’t run it because a 24/7 stream uses about 720 hours a month.

How much does Upstream cost for multiple channels?

Upstream prices by stream: $50 a month for two, $70 for three, then $20 a stream from four, or $16 a stream billed yearly. Ten streams cost $200 a month.

Is Upstream cheaper billed yearly?

Yes. Yearly billing is 20% cheaper than monthly for the 1080p, 30 fps base, which brings one stream from $30 to $24 a month. 60 fps and 4K options are 10% cheaper yearly.

Do Upstream prices include VAT?

Prices are shown in US dollars, and Upstream says taxes and VAT may be added at checkout based on your billing location. UK buyers should budget for VAT if it applies to them.

Can I cancel Upstream at any time?

Yes. Upstream says you can cancel at any time and keep paid access until the end of your current billing period.

Is Upstream cheaper than Restream?

It depends on the job. Restream’s Standard plan is $19 a month for 3 platforms, which is cheaper for live multistreaming alone. Upstream is $30 for one stream to up to 10 platforms, and it includes 24/7 looping and pre-recorded streams.

Is Upstream cheaper than Gyre?

For one stream, yes: Upstream is $30 a month against Gyre Start at $49, and Upstream includes playlists and scheduling, which Gyre puts on Start+ at $99. For several 60 fps YouTube loops on one plan, Gyre’s PRO+ can work out cheaper.

What payment methods does Upstream accept?

Upstream’s checkout is handled by Stripe and accepts major credit and debit cards. Larger accounts that need a different billing workflow are asked to contact support first.

Final thoughts

Upstream’s pricing rewards people who start small. Stream on a schedule and the free plan may be all you need; run a channel that never switches off and $30 a month, or $24 billed yearly, covers it with every feature included. Only multi-channel setups need the volume pricing, and that gets cheaper per stream as you grow.

For the full verdict on the product itself, read my Upstream review. If you want a second opinion on whether a streaming tool will pay for itself on your channel, book a free discovery call.