There is no single best Google Compute Engine machine type for every 24/7 YouTube stream. If your VM only relays an already encoded feed, start by evaluating a small E2 general-purpose instance and measure it; that is a sizing hypothesis, not a proven minimum. If the VM continuously encodes or transcodes video, compare C-series performance-oriented types with N2D instead. Google’s guidance identifies media streaming and transcoding as demanding C-series workloads, and separately describes N2D as suitable for video streaming, but neither source benchmarks this exact YouTube setup.
First identify what the VM is doing
“Streaming” can describe two different workloads, and the distinction matters more than choosing a machine family by name.
- Relay or publish: the VM sends an already encoded feed onward without changing the video. CPU demand may be modest, so a small E2 general-purpose instance is a reasonable starting comparison. This is an inference from Google’s general guidance for lower-cost, modest workloads—not a measured recommendation for a YouTube relay. Google Compute Engine general-purpose machine guidance and its machine family comparison do not establish a minimum size for this use.
- Encode or transcode: the VM performs sustained video processing, such as software encoding, format conversion, or producing multiple outputs. Compare C-series performance-oriented types and N2D. Google lists media streaming and transcoding among C-series workloads; a Google Cloud blog also identifies N2D as suitable for video streaming. These are vendor workload descriptions, not proof that one family will meet a particular resolution, codec, or frame rate.
If you are unsure which category describes your setup, begin with a general-purpose family and collect measurements before resizing, consistent with Google’s comparison guidance.
Compare machine families by workload
| Workload | Starting comparison | Why it is a candidate | What remains unproven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relay an already encoded feed without video processing | Small E2 general-purpose VM | E2 is positioned for lower-cost, modest workloads; applying that guidance to a relay is an inference. | No exact YouTube relay benchmark or minimum machine type is established. |
| Continuous software encoding or transcoding | C-series performance-oriented types; compare N2D as well | Google’s family guidance includes media streaming and transcoding for C-series, while Google describes N2D as suitable for video streaming. Google Cloud’s N2D overview | The available guidance does not specify your resolution, codec, frame rate, bitrate, output count, or achieved performance. |
| Workload not yet characterized | Start with a general-purpose family, then measure | Google’s machine-family comparison recommends general-purpose when the right family is unclear. | You still need to validate utilization and stream reliability with your actual setup. |
Measure before committing to a size
There is no published benchmark here that can certify a particular machine size for your stream. Run your actual software and encoding settings, then assess whether the candidate has adequate sustained capacity and headroom.
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- CPU: Observe utilization during normal operation and demanding portions of the workload. Continuous software encoding can need substantially different CPU capacity from relaying an encoded feed.
- Memory: Check real use and available headroom with your streaming software and operating system running.
- Network: Verify that expected outbound throughput is supported in the intended region and machine series. The required outbound bitrate for this particular setup is not established by the available guidance; estimate it from your stream settings and investigate networking separately if traffic is substantial.
- Availability and resilience: Confirm the desired machine type is offered in your chosen region. A machine-family choice alone does not establish an uptime or redundancy design.
Resize based on observed resource use and reliability, rather than assuming an E2, C-series, or N2D instance will work at an unspecified resolution and bitrate.
Calculate the full 24/7 cost
Machine type is only one part of the bill. Google states that disk and network usage are charged separately from machine pricing. Its general-purpose pricing page shows USD prices by configuration and region, with on-demand as the default consumption model; use the live page for your intended setup because regional prices and options vary. Google Compute Engine pricing
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Price the specific region, machine configuration, disk, and expected network egress. The stream bitrate and traffic volume, region, disk choice, machine size, and discount eligibility are not specified here, so a single total monthly estimate would be misleading.
Google’s sustained-use documentation describes discounts and an Always Free quota equivalent to the monthly hours of one e2-micro VM. Check the current terms and eligibility rather than assuming that quota covers a 24/7 streaming workload or a different machine configuration. Google Cloud sustained-use discounts and Always Free information
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Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is simply to keep pre-recorded video live on YouTube, a Compute Engine VM is not the only route. StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos or playlists on YouTube: upload your video, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; video streams as uploaded at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot; and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. The monthly price is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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