Owncast

Owncast provides a self‑hosted server that streams live video and hosts a web‑based chat, giving a single broadcaster full ownership of the content, interface and moderation. The backend, written in Go, receives RTMP streams from any compatible broadcasting software such as OBS or Streamlabs, while the React frontend presents the video and chat to viewers. Because the service runs on the user’s own hardware, it operates without subscription fees and remains under an MIT license.

The system is designed for quick deployment: a single binary can be started out of the box, and documentation guides users through a quick‑start process, Docker images, and building from source. It supports integration with the Fediverse, allowing streams to be shared and followed on platforms like Mastodon, and includes customizable chat features such as emotes and bots.

Target users are individuals or small teams who want to stream live video without relying on large commercial platforms, and who prefer an open‑source, free‑tier solution that can be run on Linux (or via WSL2 on Windows). The project is stable, community‑driven, and freely available under the MIT license.