For a browser studio that saves your show to an online library, compare StreamYard; for storing videos and accessing past-stream recordings, consider Restream; for local recording with a separate cloud-backup workflow, use OBS Studio. These are different storage models, not interchangeable services. In particular, a recording in a vendor’s cloud library is not necessarily a durable backup you control.
What “cloud storage” means in streaming software
Cloud storage can mean that a streaming service records a show into its own library, or that it holds videos you upload for later use. Local recording software works differently: it writes files to a location on your computer, and you arrange any cloud upload, sync, or backup separately.
Before choosing, check more than the headline storage amount. The useful questions are how storage is measured, whether live shows are saved automatically, how long recordings remain available, whether you can download or share them, what happens at the quota, and whether you have an independent copy.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Storage model | Best fit | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| StreamYard | Managed cloud recordings on eligible plans; storage is counted in hours. | Creators or teams who want a browser studio and a saved show library. | Current plan allowance, recording limits, add-on terms, downloads, and what happens when storage is full. |
| Restream | Cloud video storage for uploaded videos and past-stream recordings; limits depend on subscription. | Workflows that reuse uploaded clips or need to download or share recordings. | Plan-specific capacity and retention, eligibility for paid features, and a separate backup. |
| OBS Studio | Local recording to a path on your computer; cloud retention requires a separate workflow. | People who want local recording controls and responsibility for their own files. | Available disk space, recording format, computer capacity, and backup plan. |
StreamYard: a managed cloud recording library
StreamYard is the most direct fit if you want a browser-based studio and recordings saved into its library. Its Help Center lists 5 hours of storage on Free, 50 hours on Core, Advanced, and Teams, and 700+ hours on Business. These are vendor-listed plan allowances; the Help Center’s publication year is not stated, and the figures were accessed in 2026. Business capacity can be configured. Check the current plan page before subscribing because plan details and offers can change.
#1 Best Overall
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There is an important distinction between being able to broadcast and being able to save. StreamYard says a live stream can continue after storage is exceeded, but recording is disabled until you add storage or remove recordings. Its Help Center also says Free live streams are not saved to the StreamYard library. The pricing page lists Free with limited storage and 2 hours per month of local recordings; Core lists cloud recording, 50 hours of permanent storage, and unlimited local recordings. Paid-plan users can download recordings, according to its download help page.
StreamYard lists 100-, 200-, and 400-hour storage add-ons in its storage help article. The article says an upgrade replaces the available storage allowance rather than adding the selected amount on top of the prior allowance. Because the available terms and prices may change, verify them on the vendor’s current pages before relying on a particular allowance.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- StreamYard storage allowances and quota behavior
- StreamYard plans and current plan details
- How to download StreamYard recordings
Restream: cloud storage for uploaded videos and past streams
Restream describes its video storage as a place for uploaded videos intended for future streams, clips for playback during a stream, and recordings of past streams that can be downloaded, reused, or shared. The vendor says storage limits depend on subscription; the pages cited here do not establish a complete tier-by-tier retention schedule, so do not assume a universal number of days.
Restream’s download instructions cover recordings accessed through video storage, past streams, or the studio/RTMP setup. Recordings can be downloaded or shared by link, and the help article labels downloading a paid feature. The service documents uploads or imports from desktop or mobile, Descript, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Restream explicitly says its cloud storage is not a replacement for a hard drive or another backup. If a show matters to you, keep an independent copy rather than treating one service’s library as your only archive.
OBS Studio: record locally, then manage your own backup
OBS Studio writes recordings to the Recording Path configured on your computer. It can record while streaming or record without a live broadcast, but OBS does not provide the managed cloud recording library described above. If you want an off-computer copy, plan a separate upload, sync, or backup process. An external drive can serve as a chosen recording destination or a way to transfer files; a cloud file service can be another user-managed copy. These are workflow choices, not built-in OBS cloud retention features.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Choose a recording format that suits recovery and editing
OBS recommends MKV because an unexpected interruption is less likely to corrupt the entire recording. MKV may not be accepted by every editing workflow, so OBS includes a remux process to convert recordings to MP4. MP4 is widely compatible, but the OBS format guide warns that a recording can be unrecoverable if writing is interrupted. Consider recording in MKV and remuxing when you need MP4 compatibility.
Check the destination and backup workflow
- Set and verify the OBS Recording Path before a long session; make sure the selected disk has enough free space.
- Decide how completed recordings reach a second location. OBS’s local-path documentation does not establish a native integration with Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Confirm that the copy has finished uploading or syncing before deleting or moving the original.
- For important recordings, keep a copy separate from the computer and from any single streaming-service library.
OBS standard recording output guide · OBS audio and video formats guide
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Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- 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.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
How to choose for a gaming stream or show
- Choose StreamYard if you want a managed browser studio and library, and its current plan allowance and recording behavior match your publishing volume.
- Choose Restream if uploaded videos, reusable clips, and access to past-stream downloads or share links fit your workflow. Check your subscription’s actual storage and retention terms.
- Choose OBS if local files and recording control matter more than an automatically managed online archive, and you are prepared to manage disk space and backups.
For any of these options, test the full path with a short recording: save it, locate it, download or copy it, and open the resulting file. That catches access and format problems before a valuable show depends on the workflow.
Keep a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos
StreamNeo is a separate option for a different job: keeping a YouTube channel live 24/7 from uploaded videos. It is not a recording archive or a camera-based live studio. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded content from the cloud, so your computer does not need to stay on. It offers automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and any quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card.
Monthly service is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or its plans for details. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
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