8 Best Live Streaming Apps in 2025 For Mobile & Web
Live streaming and broadcasting are no longer a big deal for users to set up and go live.
There are many live streaming apps available on both desktop and mobile platforms. Hitting live in 2025 can be done within four simple steps. Picking the desired content, choosing the streaming app, integrating existing accounts into the app, Boom!
You’re on live. As the process of integrating live becomes easy like in-app chat API to any existing app or platform, here comes the next.
Everything will go well unless you search for the “best live streaming apps.” You’ll be flooded with results. But which app suits your content and which will make your live “alive?”
This article presented you with the best live streaming and broadcasting platforms of 2025 with our detailed analysis and research to bring your content live.
Table of Contents
What is a Live Streaming App & How It Works?
Live streaming technology is the same as watching pre-recorded videos but in real time, like video streaming over the internet.
Live content holds viewers’ attention as much as 20 times longer than pre-recorded or on-demand content. This helps businesses gain consumers’ attention, and for creators, it helps them reach all their viewers with a solid connection.
A live streaming app allows users to broadcast live content in real-time. The streamer can interact with viewers through live chat, comments and reactions.
Major social media live streaming apps are YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Well known for its user base and specific use case.
On the other hand there are many third-party live broadcasting platforms such as Bigo Live, Streamlabs, Vimeo, Switcher Studio and more.
Best Live Video Streaming Apps For Multiple Use Cases
Live streaming technology is not just restricted to social media. Depending on the content and target audience, enterprises and other industries can benefit from a live streaming app.
The 8 Best Live Streaming Apps are 1. YouTube Live · 2. Facebook Live · 3. Instagram Live · 4. LinkedIn Live · 5. Bigo Live · 6. Streamlabs · 7. Vimeo · 8. Switcher Studio
Top Social Media Live Streaming Apps
Most social media platforms offer live streaming and make it accessible for users to initiate free live video streams online.
1. YouTube Live (For Desktop & Mobile)
YouTube is the video platform now that comes to mind as a live streaming platform for its user base. Since YouTube is a generic streaming platform, there are no restrictions on content niches, even for industries. Though YouTube has massive live streaming features for advanced streamers, it’s also easy to set up and go live as a beginner.
Pros of YouTube Live
- Huge user base
- Live chat
- Monetization options with membership and chat stickers
- Push notifications when you go live
Cons of YouTube Live
- Monetization option will only enable after 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time.
- Requires 50 subscribers to stream on mobile.
- It’s difficult to reach and get noticed since YouTube is a large platform.
2. Facebook Live (Free Live Stream on Mobile & Web)
Facebook is the largest social collaboration platform with live-streaming features. Facebook Live is a good choice because of its interactive features, and you can go live directly from your Facebook account. Along with its free video stream, it offers monetization options for content creators. The duration of the live stream that you can go on Facebook is eight hours.
Pros of Facebook Live
- Chat moderation
- Real-time notifications and connections
- Seamless mobile streaming
- Live from personal profile, page and group
- Analytics and monitoring
Cons of Facebook Live
- No direct access to remove or filter negative comments
- No 4K streaming
- Technical difficulties
3. Instagram Live (GenZ Streaming App for Android, iOS & Web)
Instagram, the rectangle platform, is nowadays more responsible for high-quality photos and videos shared by the community. Instagram Live has filters and other handy video options. You can even connect your Instagram account with Facebook so that the stream on Instagram can appear on Facebook.
Pros of Instagram
- Free for all Instagram users
- Playback for missed live streams
- Real-time comments thread
- Support desktop streaming for professional accounts
Cons of Instagram
- Monetization not available for all users. Currently available to US based accounts. By inviting other countries users can benefit.
4. LinkedIn Live (Professional & Enterprise Live Medium)
LinkedIn Live has grown as the best social networking platform for businesses and professionals. To establish thought leadership and real-time business communication, LinkedIn offers interactive sessions to promote real-time product demos, presentations, and proposals to a global audience.
Pros of LinkedIn Live
- A platform to reach professional & potential clients
- Easy to connect with industry experts as LinkedIn establishing authority within desired industry
- High chance of lead generation, brand awareness, and networking
Cons of LinkedIn Live
- Limited reach as compared to other social media platforms
- Algorithm change in LinkedIn can impact video reach
Best Third-Party Live Streaming Apps
If you feel those pre-built social media streaming apps won’t support your requirements, here are the best third-party providers that you can try out in 2025.
5. Bigo Live (Available on Android, iOS & Microsoft)
Bigo Live is a global free live-streaming platform that is cherished by many influencers and talents to connect with a wide range of audiences. This live streaming platform sets an easy stage for even beginners to set up and go live.
Also, this third-party platform prioritizes users’ safety and moderation with proper guidelines.
Pros of Bigo Live
- Engagement with other users through conversations
- Free and easy platform to make a live, showcase talents
- Monetization from virtual gifts with the interest of the audience
Cons of Bigo Live
- Low content moderation in some countries
- Low live stream quality
- Limited monetization options
Pricing
This is completely free to use. Some in-app purchases are available to buy within the app.
6. Streamlabs (Available for Desktop & Mobile)
Streamlabs offers a complete suite of features for live streamers to engage with audiences. These third-party tools let users customize the stream layout, visuals, and graphics. This platform supports integration with other platforms to enable live streaming, such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch, in minutes.
Streamers can enjoy an array of features including in-app chat, subscriptions, donations all in a single platform.
Pros of Streamlabs
- Extensive customization in stream visuals
- Large user community
- Control and manage streams of multiple platforms in a single interface
- Wide feature set
Cons of Streamlabs
- Free versions comes with watermark
- Limited storage in free version
- Advanced features will be unavailable for new users.
Pricing
Streamlabs has two pricing options: one is entirely free, and the Ultra pack starts at 19 USD/month and 149 USD/year.
7. Vimeo (Available on Android, iOS, Desktop)
Vimeo offers excellent live streaming capabilities for enterprises, marketers, and creators with an AI-powered editor. Vimeo prioritizes high-quality premium streaming events for enterprises, webinars, and product launches. The superior tools and features make the live event even more memorable and personalized.
Users can have complete control over security and permission and find content quickly in the video player.
Pros of Vimeo
- High-quality live experience at 4K, 8K HDR with Dolby Vision
- Customization with brand kit and optimization for SEO
- Personalized GIFs, hand raises, polls, Q&A
- Third-party widgets
Cons of Vimeo
- Limited monetization options
8. Switcher Studio (Available only for iOS)
Switcher is an iOS-based live-streaming platform that allows professionals and creators to produce high-quality streams and earn the way they want. The notable features of the Switcher include multi-camera productions, shoppable videos, overlays, and recordings.
This live stream app supports customization and seamless experience for all use cases, including digital events, interviews, online shopping, conferences, and more.
Pros of Switcher Studio
- Users can monetize the way they prefer
- Live stream into multiple platforms
- Free trial
- High Definition multi stream and recording
Cons of Switcher Studio
- Limited audio control
- Supports only in iOS
Oh! Still, you didn’t find your desired live streaming app from the list and are expecting or combining more?!
We’ve covered it up. Read on to learn how to choose the best live streaming platform by analyzing some essentials.
How to Choose the Best Live Streaming App?
In 2025, choosing the best streaming app is more important than picking the desired features. These essentials will give the basic understanding of all the things to consider when choosing.
- Platform Compatibility: Consider which platform you intend to use; whether you’re streaming live on multiple platforms or choosing an app that supports various platforms.
- Streaming Features: Look for the features that meet your needs, such as screen sharing and interactive features like polls, Q/A, in-app chat, reactions, and notifications. The most important feature is Monetization; look for apps that offer multiple monetization options such as ads, subscriptions, donations, or gifts.
- Customization: For the best monetization experience, lead generation, or audience targeting, providing the best livestream experience is crucial. Incorporating custom branding and other visual elements for example your brand logo design to helps support a better experience.Choose an app that supports customization.
- Cost & Pricing: Evaluate the app or platform’s cost. Considering the self-hosted live streaming solution has a one-time cost with lifetime source code access.
Final Thoughts
Live streaming is the modern way to reach an audience in real-time. Finding the right streaming app takes some time, sometimes errors. Hope this article helps you find the app by saving your time. Adding much more benefit to you, in a nutshell, choose the live streaming app with a self-hosted solution.
If you want to try the white-label live streaming app, check out MirrorFly, which has 1000+ features and a highly scalable infrastructure. This platform supports unlimited customization and streaming across multiple platforms.
Along with the live streaming features, you can experience voice calls, chat, and video calling through flexible APIs and SDKs without any restrictions.
Check out MirrorFly for the best live stream experience. You can also get flexible hosting options.
Contact the team to know more about the features and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The best live streaming apps are YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and LinkedIn Live. The best third-party live streaming apps are Bingo Live, Streamlabs, Vimeo, and Switcher Studio.
YouTube Live and Instagram Live are the most popular live-streaming sites for their interactive features and free subscription plans for seamless live streaming.
Developing a live streaming platform will cost around $40,000 to $80,000, with a time duration of 3 to 8 months. For high-budget and huge time frames, many streamers look for live streaming APIs and SDKs to accommodate quick and affordable launches.
YouTube Live is one of the best and most free live streaming platforms as it has wide exposure on the market and a huge user base. With the easy live streaming set up, you can go live to your desired audience.
Building a live streaming app can be done in two methods: Developing from scratch, which requires dedicated resources and pre-defined programming languages. Another method is using live streaming APIs to enable streaming features into existing websites or applications.
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Krishi Shivasangaran is a digital nomad and a veteran of Digital Marketing strategies. She is passionate about learning the newest trends in Live Video Call. And, when she's off-role, she loves to sketch and make people realize the true color of nature.