Live Streaming Tools for Tarot Readers and Astrologers

OBS Studio is free. Always has been. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, produces broadcast-quality output, and puts zero watermark on your stream. The tradeoff is a setup curve that will take several hours to configure properly. Live streaming tools for tarot readers split cleanly between "learn the technical side" (OBS) and "pay someone else to handle it" (StreamYard, Restream). Neither answer is wrong.

All prices as of mid-2026. Verify current before committing.

Tool Comparison

Tool	Free Tier	Entry Paid (annual)	Destinations	Quality	Install Required	Best For
OBS Studio	Full (unlimited)	N/A	1 (add Restream for multi)	Up to 4K	Yes	Tech-confident readers, zero cost
StreamYard	Yes (watermark, 720p, 20hr/mo)	$35.99/month	5	1080p	No (browser)	Easy multi-destination, guest invite
Restream	Yes (2 channels, watermark)	$16/month	3 (Standard)	1080p	No (browser)	Most destinations at lowest price
Zoom Webinar	No (add-on only)	~$92/month (total)	1	1080p	Yes	Paid workshops, 300 attendees

1. OBS Studio

OBS is the baseline that every other tool is measured against, because it's free and it's what experienced streamers use.

What you get at zero cost: unlimited streaming duration, no watermark, local recording, unlimited scene customization, and scene switching between camera angles or card layouts. OBS supports any RTMP destination - YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok.

What OBS doesn't do natively: multistream to multiple platforms simultaneously. For that you need an intermediary service like Restream's free tier (2 platforms, with watermark) or Restream Standard ($16/month).

For live tarot streams: OBS is the right choice if you're comfortable spending a few hours on initial configuration. The learning curve is real but finite. Once set up, it runs without a subscription.

Source: obsproject.com (official); riverside.com/blog/best-streamyard-alternatives.

2. StreamYard

StreamYard runs entirely in your browser. No install, no configuration files. You click "go live," add your destinations, and start. Guests join via a link and appear on screen.

2026 pricing:
- Free: Watermark on stream, 720p max, 20 hours/month broadcast, 2 destinations
- Core: $35.99/month (annual), $44.99/month (monthly) - 1080p, no watermark, 5 destinations, AI tools, screen share, guest invite, multistreaming
- Advanced: $68.99/month (annual) - 4K capable, more destinations, webinar features
- Business: $299/month - 2-10 seats, team collaboration, priority support

7-day free trial on all paid plans.

The guest invite feature is the differentiator for live readings. You can bring a client on screen during a pick-a-card stream, or co-host with another reader. The client receives a link and joins without installing anything.

StreamYard also displays comments from multiple platforms in one view - you can see YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok chat side by side during a stream.

At $35.99/month (annual), StreamYard Core is the simplest paid path to professional-quality multistreaming without technical setup.

Source: streamyard.com/blog/streaming-software-price-comparison (official); tekpon.com/software/streamyard/pricing (2026).

3. Restream

Restream's value is destinations. Standard at $16/month (annual) gives you 3 simultaneous platforms; the free tier covers 2. Restream supports 30+ platforms.

2026 pricing (annual billing):
- Free: 2 channels, watermark, limited recording
- Standard: $16/month - 3 channels, HD 1080p
- Professional: $39/month - 5 channels, Full HD
- Business: $199/month - 8 channels, advanced features

Restream Studio (browser-based, no install) is included - similar to StreamYard's interface but with more destination options. If reaching the maximum number of platforms simultaneously matters to you, Restream Standard at $16/month is cheaper than StreamYard Core at $35.99/month.

For a reader streaming to YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok simultaneously, Restream Standard at $16/month handles all three.

Source: restream.io/pricing (official); stackscored.com/pricing/live-streaming/restream (2026).

4. Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar is an add-on to Zoom Pro, not a standalone product.

Total monthly cost:
- Zoom Pro: $13.33/month (annual)
- Webinar add-on (300 attendees): $79/month
- Combined: ~$92/month

Zoom Webinar works when your audience is paid attendees who don't need to appear on screen - astrological workshops, group moon ceremonies, teaching sessions. Attendees are audience-only; you can unmute individuals but the default format is presenter-to-audience.

For intimate live readings where the client appears on screen, Zoom Webinar is the wrong format. Use Zoom free or Pro for 1:1 video calls instead.

Source: zoom.us/pricing/events (official); getwebinarkit.com/blog/zoom-webinar-pricing (2026).

Practical Setup by Use Case

Live 1:1 readings with a client on screen: Zoom free (unlimited 1:1 duration). No streaming tool needed.

Pick-a-card or group stream to YouTube + one other platform, no technical setup: StreamYard Core at $35.99/month (annual).

Maximum platform reach on the lowest budget: Restream Standard at $16/month (3 platforms, HD).

Paid workshop with 10-300 paying attendees, audience-only format: Zoom Pro + Webinar add-on (~$92/month).

Complete zero-cost setup: OBS Studio + Restream free tier (2 platforms, watermark on Restream side).

FAQ

Can I stream to TikTok Live from StreamYard? StreamYard supports TikTok Live as a destination on the Core plan. TikTok Live access requires your account to meet TikTok's follower threshold (currently 1,000 followers, though this changes). Verify current TikTok requirements at your account level.

Does OBS work for Mac? Yes. OBS is fully supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

What's the difference between Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinar? Zoom Meetings: all participants can have audio/video on. Used for group readings where clients interact. Zoom Webinar: attendees are audience-only by default. Used for presentations and workshops.

Is StreamYard's free plan usable for a real stream? The 20-hour/month cap and watermark make it usable for testing, not professional output. If you're streaming to an audience, Core at $35.99/month removes both limitations.