For one prerecorded video that is already encoded, Amazon Lightsail’s Linux/Unix IPv4 bundle is a useful low-cost starting point: AWS lists it at $12 per month with 2 vCPUs, 2 GB of memory, 60 GB of SSD storage and 3 TB of transfer. It is a comparison point, not a universal winner: the price and transfer allowance vary by region, and your stream’s continuous outbound traffic can be the deciding cost.
Which VPS fits a prerecorded YouTube loop?
Start with a Linux VPS and FFmpeg if the video is pre-encoded and your goal is a single, stable loop. That workload is much lighter than running OBS scenes or encoding video in real time. A 2026 streaming guide recommends 2 vCPU and 2–4 GB of RAM as a baseline for a static FFmpeg loop with locally encoded media; this is a published recommendation, not a performance benchmark. Space-Node’s guide recommends larger plans for desktop-style OBS workloads.
The right plan depends on more than its advertised monthly price. Compare the included outbound transfer and overage rules, region and network route, CPU and RAM for your actual encoding path, storage for the media, and the time you are willing to spend on Linux administration and recovery.
How much bandwidth does a nonstop stream use?
Inservers estimates that one 1080p stream uses about 6–8 Mbps. At a constant bitrate for 30 days, that is approximately 1.94–2.59 decimal TB of outgoing video, calculated as bitrate × seconds ÷ 8. This is a calculation from the provider’s estimate, not measured usage. Your configured bitrate, reconnects, protocol overhead and the provider’s billing definitions can change the total. Inservers’ estimate and plan details are provider-published claims.
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AWS says Lightsail transfer allowances count both inbound and outbound traffic, but only outbound traffic above the allowance incurs overage charges; allowances vary by region. The listed 3 TB bundle therefore has some headroom over the 6–8 Mbps example, but calculate from your own bitrate and check the selected region’s terms before buying. AWS’s description, “a low, predictable price,” is its own marketing language, not an independent assessment. Check AWS Lightsail pricing and regional terms.
Compare low-cost options by fit, not headline price
| Option | Published details | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Lightsail Linux/Unix with IPv4 | AWS lists $12/month for 2 vCPUs, 2 GB RAM, 60 GB SSD and 3 TB transfer. | Regional price and allowance, outbound overage, and whether 2 GB RAM suits your setup. This is a useful published-price comparison for one pre-encoded loop, not a tested universal recommendation. AWS pricing. |
| Hetzner Cloud cost-optimized | Hetzner describes these plans for tests, development, smaller projects and low-to-medium CPU use. EU servers include at least 20 TB of traffic. The CX23 was marked unavailable when checked. | Recheck availability and current regional pricing; do not assume the CX23 can be purchased. Hetzner states, “Your server’s bill will never exceed its monthly price cap.” That describes its billing cap, not guaranteed uptime or network performance. Hetzner Cloud plans. |
| Inservers streaming VPS | Its India-specific page lists ₹880/month for a 2-vCore, 4-GB basic plan and claims 1 Gbps unmetered transfer. It recommends that tier for one 1080p60 relay without transcoding. | These are regional product details and provider claims. The page concerns India and relaying; it does not independently establish suitability or performance for every YouTube stream. Inservers’ plan page. |
| Space-Node streaming VPS | Its guide describes a managed OBS VPS from €9.99/month and distinguishes it from a small FFmpeg VPS setup. | Compare current plan details and terms; the guide is published by the seller. Space-Node’s guide. |
There is no defensible single cheapest VPS worldwide: region, taxes, currency, IP address, availability and transfer overage all affect the final cost. No independent provider benchmark is available here, so treat performance, bandwidth and support statements as provider claims.
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Choose resources for the actual streaming workload
One pre-encoded file with FFmpeg
For a static loop, begin by comparing plans around 2 vCPU and 2–4 GB RAM. The cited guide says a small footprint is appropriate when the file is encoded locally; avoid paying for live-encoding capacity you do not need. Confirm the VPS has enough disk space for the source files and operating system.
OBS scenes or browser sources
Do not use the static-loop baseline for a desktop-style workload. Space-Node’s guide recommends 4 vCPU and 8 GB RAM as a 720p OBS starter and 6 vCPU and 12 GB RAM for 1080p with browser sources. These are the guide’s recommendations, not independently tested minimums.
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Live transcoding or multiple outputs
Real-time encoding or several simultaneous outputs can need substantially more CPU. Inservers recommends four vCores as a minimum for real-time 1080p transcoding, but that is vendor advice for its own service, not a general benchmark. Test your actual encoding settings and output count on the candidate plan before relying on it continuously.
Prepare the stream and VPS for unattended operation
These are operational safeguards for an always-on stream, not a tested configuration. Exact FFmpeg commands and YouTube interface labels can vary with your workflow; protect the stream key and verify current YouTube requirements in YouTube’s own documentation before launch.
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- Enable live streaming on the YouTube channel. Allow time for access to be enabled before the planned launch; new channels may need to enable live access in advance. Confirm the current eligibility and setup requirements directly with YouTube.
- Pre-encode and check the video locally. A pre-encoded source avoids spending VPS resources on real-time transcoding. Check that the file plays correctly, loops cleanly and has rights-cleared video and audio.
- Create the YouTube live stream and copy its stream key securely. Treat the key like a password: do not put it in a public repository or expose it in logs. Use restricted file permissions and keep configuration private.
- Run FFmpeg as a persistent process. Configure the input to loop and send it to YouTube’s ingest endpoint using the stream key. Keep bitrate stable and choose a setting the VPS network and transfer allowance can sustain. Follow current YouTube guidance for stream settings rather than assuming an old preset remains valid.
- Add monitoring and recovery. Use a process supervisor or service restart policy so FFmpeg can restart after a process failure or server reboot. Keep logs manageable with rotation, and check that monitoring can alert you when the process or stream stops.
- Test before leaving it unattended. Observe stream health for at least an hour, then test a reboot and verify the stream resumes as expected. Confirm the video and audio remain correct, and check actual bitrate and transfer use against your plan.
Common problems and practical fixes
- The stream stops when you disconnect from SSH: FFmpeg may be attached to your terminal rather than managed as a persistent service. Run it under a process supervisor and verify its restart policy.
- The VPS runs out of transfer allowance: Recalculate monthly outbound data from your configured bitrate, then compare it with the region’s allowance and overage terms. Lowering bitrate reduces traffic but also changes stream quality.
- The video stutters or stream health degrades: Check whether the configured bitrate is stable and whether the server’s network route or CPU is overloaded. A pre-encoded loop should avoid live encoding load; if you are transcoding, size the plan for that workload and test it.
- The stream key appears in logs or code: Remove public access, rotate the key in YouTube if it may have been exposed, and store the replacement in a private configuration with restricted permissions.
- The stream does not resume after a server or process restart: Check the supervisor’s service status and logs, confirm the key and ingest configuration are still available to the service, and run a deliberate reboot test before relying on it.
- A VPS plan seems unavailable or its cost differs at checkout: Recheck the provider’s current regional plan page. Availability and pricing can vary; the Hetzner CX23 was marked unavailable when checked.
VPS ownership versus managed cloud looping
A VPS is a better fit if you want root access, custom software and control over the streaming pipeline, and are comfortable maintaining Linux, FFmpeg, monitoring and restarts. A managed service can suit someone who prefers guided setup and less server administration. Compare current limits on simultaneous streams, resolution, file size, scheduling, recovery, cancellation and support rather than relying on a seller’s uptime or savings claims.
StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for looping uploaded videos; it does not stream a live camera. Its plans use the same features, with billing duration as the difference. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, playlists, 24/7 looping, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and StreamNeo team support. Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, without re-encoding or quality tiers.
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StreamNeo lists these billing options:
- Daily $0.99 per day
- Weekly $2.99 per week
- Monthly $9.99 per month
- 6 months $49.99 for 6 months
- Yearly $89.99 a year
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload your recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the upload from the cloud.
Nothing has to stay on at home. The uploaded video streams at its original quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, once per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. In India, UPI and cards are accepted; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
Copyright and YouTube compliance
A continuous stream does not grant rights to the music or video it contains, and running one does not promise views, watch hours or revenue. Use content you own or have permission to broadcast, and check YouTube’s current copyright and live-stream rules before launch. Do not treat an uninterrupted technical connection as proof that a stream complies with platform rules.
Quick Recap
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