Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIt depends on your PC’s measured power use and which Gyre plan you need. OBS Studio itself is free, but a PC streaming around the clock uses electricity. Gyre’s cloud service starts at $49 per month for one simultaneous HD stream, so compare that price with your PC’s incremental electricity cost—not with a guessed wattage or the entire household bill. Gyre can also keep the broadcast running without your computer or home internet connection doing the streaming.
What you are comparing
OBS Studio is free, open-source desktop software for recording and live streaming. It runs on your computer, which encodes and sends the broadcast. Gyre streams prerecorded files from its cloud service, so your computer and home connection do not need to remain online to deliver the stream. Those are different operating models: local control with OBS, or cloud delivery with Gyre. OBS Project · Gyre
For a 24/7 YouTube channel, the direct cost comparison is OBS’s incremental electricity cost versus the Gyre tier that meets your stream and workflow needs. Hardware replacement or a dedicated internet connection may also matter if those costs apply to you, but they cannot be estimated universally.
Gyre’s listed plans and what they include
Gyre’s official pricing page, accessed October 3, 2026, lists these one-month prices. The page also displays lower totals for some multi-month prepaid billing; check the live page and checkout for current terms before buying.
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| Plan | Listed monthly price | Concurrent stream capacity | Storage and workflow features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $49/month | One HD stream | 35 GB; no watermark |
| Start+ | $99/month | Four HD streams or one 4K stream | 75 GB; playlists and scheduling |
| PRO+ | $169/month | Eight HD streams or two 4K streams | 150 GB; playlists and scheduling |
The listed seven-day trial is limited to one Full HD 30fps stream, 20 GB storage for up to 15 files, and a Gyre watermark. Trial and plan terms can change, so confirm them at checkout. Gyre pricing and plan details
Calculate the cost of leaving your PC on
Use the PC’s incremental power draw: the extra electricity used because it is streaming, rather than power it would consume anyway. Measure the whole computer at the wall while it is doing the intended streaming work, preferably across a representative period. If you already leave the PC on for other tasks, count only the extra draw attributable to streaming.
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Monthly PC electricity cost = average incremental watts ÷ 1,000 × streaming hours in the billing month × electricity price per kWh.
- Measure watts. Use a plug-in electricity monitor at the wall, or another suitable meter, while the PC is running the actual OBS setup. A component’s rated wattage is not a measurement of the system’s typical draw.
- Choose the hours. Use the hours you intend to stream during the billing period. For a continuous channel, use the actual month’s hours rather than assuming every month is identical.
- Use your all-in electricity rate. Take the relevant per-kWh charge from your bill where possible. If your tariff varies by time, estimate using the rates for the hours the PC will be operating.
- Compare with the right Gyre tier. Select the tier based on your required resolution, number of simultaneous streams, storage, playlists, and scheduling—not on the highest tier by default.
Watts measure power; kilowatt-hours measure energy consumed over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains the distinction in its electricity measurement guide.
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Break-even rule
- If the measured incremental PC electricity cost is below the monthly price of the Gyre tier you actually need, OBS is cheaper on direct software-plus-electricity cost.
- If electricity alone costs more than that Gyre tier, Gyre may cost less on those two line items.
- If electricity and Gyre prices are close, include only other costs that genuinely apply to you, such as buying replacement hardware or paying for a dedicated internet connection. There is no universal estimate for those costs.
For context, the EIA’s May 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts an average U.S. residential summer 2026 electricity price of 18.27 cents/kWh. That is a national forecast, not your household’s rate, and should not replace your local tariff in the calculation. EIA Table SF02
Which option fits your channel?
Choose OBS when local operation suits you
- You already have a suitable PC and a stable connection, and you are willing to keep them running for the broadcast.
- Your measured incremental power cost is comfortably below the Gyre plan you would otherwise buy.
- You want to operate the encoder on your own machine and do not need Gyre’s cloud delivery or plan-specific workflow features.
OBS is free software, released under GPLv2, and its official site says it can be used commercially without restrictions. That does not remove the costs of running the computer or the need to configure and maintain a working stream. OBS Project
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Choose Gyre when cloud delivery or its plan features matter
- You do not want your computer and home connection to be responsible for sending the broadcast continuously.
- You need the concurrent stream capacity, storage, playlists, or scheduling included in the tier you select.
- Your measured electricity cost is near or above the relevant monthly plan price, or you value offloading stream delivery enough to pay for it.
Gyre says its cloud infrastructure continues streaming prerecorded files even if your laptop is off, your browser is closed, or your internet connection drops. That is the vendor’s description of its service, not an independent uptime measurement. Gyre
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.OBS stream settings still matter
If you use OBS, YouTube’s encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS and recommends RTMPS for encrypted delivery. YouTube’s bitrate guidance varies by resolution and frame rate, so use the current values in its settings table rather than treating one bitrate as suitable for every stream. Those encoder settings do not tell you how much power a particular PC will draw or how reliably it will stay online. YouTube: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
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Copyright, reused video, and monetization
Streaming prerecorded video does not make it permissible to use material you do not have rights to. Make sure your videos, music, and other elements are cleared for the intended use, and review YouTube’s applicable copyright and monetization rules before scheduling a long-running broadcast. Repeated or reused material can also raise channel-policy questions; neither a streaming tool nor a live format guarantees monetization approval.
Gyre’s API guide says monetization on third-party-created streams depends on having a YouTube Studio monetization default enabled, and describes API controls for ads on eligible broadcasts. That is Gyre’s guidance; it does not establish an individual channel’s eligibility or expected revenue. Gyre’s YouTube API automation guide
For a rights-clearance preflight, use the copyright safety checklist. It is a practical check, not a substitute for rights or platform-policy review.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is another option for prerecorded-video streams to YouTube: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Its cloud service loops uploaded videos, so nothing has to stay on at home. Any quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded at one flat price per slot; it does not re-encode the video or use quality tiers. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and StreamNeo team support. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or start the free day.
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Quick Recap
Common cost-comparison mistakes
- Using a guessed PC wattage: measure the complete system at the wall under the intended workload.
- Counting the whole electricity bill: isolate the extra consumption caused by streaming, especially if the PC would be on anyway.
- Using a national average as your rate: use your own tariff; the EIA forecast is context, not a household quote.
- Comparing with the wrong Gyre plan: a single HD stream does not require pricing in multi-stream capacity unless you need it.
- Treating a trial or prepaid total as the monthly price: distinguish the trial limits and discounted multi-month billing from the listed one-month tier, and verify current checkout terms.
- Assuming cost proves reliability: the available figures do not establish independent uptime or a controlled reliability comparison between a home PC and a cloud service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
