Live streaming has reshaped how people experience and share moments. From a backyard birthday party to a packed concert hall or a global corporate conference, itโs now possible to broadcast events to audiences of any size with just a mobile phone.
Streaming is no longer reserved for tech experts or media companies. Mobile apps have made it simple for anyone to go live, interact with viewers, and even monetize content in real time.
The numbers make the trend clear. Live streaming already accounts for about 23% of global viewing time, and the market is projected to hit $247 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 28.1%.
During the last quarter of 2023, 30% of internet users tuned into live content every week. Audiences want experiences in real time, and creators are leaning on apps that make it seamless to deliver.
With so many options out there, the key is choosing the right app for your goals. Some are perfect for casual sharing with friends and followers. Others are built for polished, professional broadcasts or private event hosting.
Today, we prepared a guide to the best mobile apps for live streaming, broken down by category, including real-world examples to help you decide which platform fits your needs.
A Quick Look
App Name
Mobile Compatibility
Monetization Options
Free Plan
Ease of Use
Best Use Cases
Facebook Live
Android, iOS
Stars, ads
Yes
Very Easy
Casual, social, small business
Instagram Live
Android, iOS
Badges
Yes
Very Easy
Influencer, brand engagement
TikTok Live
Android, iOS
Gifts
Yes
Very Easy
Viral content, young audiences
YouTube Live
Android, iOS
Ads, memberships
Yes
Easy
Professional, global reach
Vimeo
Android, iOS
Subscriptions
No
Moderate
Professional, ad-free streaming
Muvi Live
Android, iOS
Pay-per-view
No
Moderate
Enterprise, large-scale events
Twitch
Android, iOS
Subscriptions, bits
Yes
Easy
Gaming, community building
Streamlabs
Android, iOS
Donations, merch
Limited
Easy
Mobile gaming, vlogging
EventLive
Android, iOS
None
Limited
Easy
Private events, weddings
Ustream
Android, iOS
None
Limited
Moderate
Large-scale events, conferences
Livestream
Android, iOS
None
No
Moderate
Professional, multi-camera events
Webex
Android, iOS
None
Yes
Easy
Business meetings, webinars
ON24
Android, iOS
None
No
Moderate
Enterprise webinars, virtual events
InterCall
Android, iOS
None
No
Moderate
Secure business communication
Social Media Streaming Apps
Social media platforms were among the first to bring live streaming to the masses. Their built-in audiences make them perfect for casual broadcasts, quick updates, or growing a personal or brand presence.
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Facebook Live
- Stream directly to personal profiles, Pages, or groups
- Supports monetization through Stars and ad breaks
- Built-in live chat for real-time audience interaction
- Huge audience potential with over 2 billion monthly active users
- Very easy to use for beginners
- Immediate exposure to followers and community groups
- Music copyright claims can end streams unexpectedly
- Limited moderation features
- Privacy concerns if streams are set to public
Real-World Example
A local bakery might stream a live cake-decorating demo to boost interest in new menu items. Customers can ask questions in the comments and even place preorders directly after the stream.
Instagram Live
- Fully integrated into Instagram Stories
- Interactive comments and reactions from followers
- Seamless mobile-only experience
- Taps into your existing follower base instantly
- Great for quick, authentic live moments
- Encourages engagement through real-time comments
- Streams max out at one hour
- Video quality can fluctuate depending on the connection
- Requires an Instagram account to watch or broadcast
Real-World Example
A fashion brand might broadcast a live runway show during a seasonal launch. Followers can watch, comment, and even purchase featured items via shoppable links after the event.
TikTok Live
- Access to a younger, highly active user base
- Supports digital gifts and fun interactive effects
- Tailored for short-form, engaging streams
- Encourages authentic and creative broadcasts
- Easy for new creators to go live from a phone
- Highly interactive with gifts and comments
- Live sessions are typically short-lived
- Hard to grow an audience without a solid follower base
- Requires streaming directly from the TikTok app
Real-World Example
A musician could stream a short acoustic set for fans, interact in the comments, and use live gifts to generate revenue and boost algorithm reach.
Professional Broadcasting Apps
When live streams need a polished, high-quality feel, professional broadcasting apps are the go-to.
They cater to content creators, educators, and businesses that want more control over quality, branding, and monetization.
YouTube Live
- Streams save automatically for later viewing
- Monetization via ads, memberships, and Super Chat
- Robust analytics for post-event performance review
- Enormous global reach
- Excellent for long streams or recurring shows
- Familiar to audiences worldwide
- You need 50 subscribers to go live on mobile
- Moderating live chat can be demanding during busy streams
- Music copyright enforcement can interrupt broadcasts
Real-World Example
A tech vlogger might livestream a hands-on product review, allowing thousands of viewers to ask questions in real time while the session is automatically archived on their channel.
Vimeo
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- High-quality, ad-free live streaming
- Option to monetize via subscriptions or paywalls
- Ideal for creative professionals
- Professional-grade reliability and streaming quality
- Perfect for branded or private events
- No distracting ads for viewers
- Requires a paid plan to stream live
- Less known among casual viewers
Real-World Example
A university could host a series of virtual lectures or performances without ads, offering students and donors an exclusive streaming link.
Muvi Live
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- Enterprise-level streaming with OTT support
- Multiple monetization options, including pay-per-view
- No-code setup for businesses
- Tailored for companies with global audiences
- Multi-platform delivery
- Flexible revenue models
- No free plan available
- Built for business, not casual users
Real-World Example
A tech company might use Muvi Live to launch a new product to international media and partners, charging for premium access or offering a secure private stream.
Gaming-Focused Streaming Apps
Gaming streams thrive on interactivity and community. Apps in this category are designed for entertainment, fan engagement, and building loyal audiences.
Twitch
- The largest gaming-focused streaming platform
- Monetization through subscriptions, ads, and Bits
- Highly interactive chat and emote system
- Strong community and discoverability in gaming niches
- Supports long-form and 24/7 streams
- Integrated monetization tools for creators
- Best suited for gaming; non-gaming content struggles
- Competition is high among new streamers
Real-World Example
An esports athlete might broadcast a tournament match while chatting with fans, turning competitive gameplay into an interactive event.
Streamlabs Mobile App
- Supports streaming to multiple platforms at once
- Donation and merch store integration
- Custom overlays and themes for branding
- Great for mobile gaming or vlogging
- Beginner-friendly setup
- Flexible monetization options
- Advanced features require a subscription
- The free version is limited
Real-World Example
A mobile gamer could stream a Call of Duty Mobile session, using custom overlays to display donation alerts and engage with fans during the match.
Event-Specific Streaming Apps
When the priority is a private, one-time event like a wedding, conference, or recital, these apps shine. Theyโre built to simplify sharing without the distractions of public platforms.
EventLive
- Shareable viewing links with no viewer account needed
- Automatic backup recording for safekeeping
- No copyright interruptions
- Perfect for private or family-focused events
- Extremely easy to share with non-technical audiences
- Reliable performance for small to medium gatherings
- Not designed for building a public audience
- Requires app installation for broadcasting
Real-World Example
Families used EventLive during pandemic restrictions to share weddings with relatives who couldnโt travel, creating a sense of connection without opening the event to the public.
Ustream
- High-profile event support and post-event editing
- Known for reliability in corporate and organizational settings
- Trusted by brands like NASA for major streams
- Supports archiving and video editing
- Less popular among casual users
- More complex setup than social apps
Real-World Example
NASA has used Ustream to broadcast space mission updates and press briefings to a global audience.
Livestream
- Supports multi-camera streaming via Mevo cameras
- Personalized analytics and 24/7 support
- Suited for professional events and performances
- Offers polished, multi-angle coverage
- Backed by Vimeo for enterprise reliability
- Requires professional equipment and setup
- Paid service for full functionality
Real-World Example
A music festival could use Livestream to cover performances from multiple stages and angles, giving remote fans a near-front-row experience.
Business and Webinar Streaming Apps
For corporate presentations, training sessions, and webinars, these apps focus on security, reliability, and audience engagement rather than casual social reach.
Webex
- Secure video and audio streaming for meetings and webinars
- Easy mobile access for hosts and attendees
- Supports breakout sessions and team collaboration
- Trusted for large-scale corporate communication
- Straightforward mobile experience
- Strong security features
- Feels formal and structured for casual use
- Limited social engagement features
Real-World Example
A multinational company might hold a virtual all-hands meeting with thousands of employees joining from around the world.
ON24
With the ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform one event is no longer just one event.
Using generative AI, you can quickly repurpose event content into transcripts, e-books and blogs that you can use to engage your audience intelligently. pic.twitter.com/0bZTHMVv5R
โ ON24 (@ON24) January 24, 2024
- Designed for webinars and virtual summits
- Deep analytics for attendee engagement and lead tracking
- Audience interaction tools like polls and surveys
- Excellent for marketing-focused virtual events
- Strong reporting for post-event follow-up
- Pricing geared toward enterprise clients
- Overkill for casual or small-scale streaming
Real-World Example
A marketing agency could host a virtual summit, collecting leads from attendees while offering Q&A sessions with industry experts.
InterCall
- High-quality audio and video conferencing
- Widely used by Fortune 100 companies for secure communications
- Extremely reliable and secure
- Well-suited to professional, private events
- Less flexible for public or creative streams
- Focused on enterprise functionality
Real-World Example
A financial firm might use InterCall to host an investor call or shareholder meeting that requires confidentiality.
Choosing the Right App
The right choice depends entirely on your goals:
- Casual Sharing: Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and TikTok Live make it easy to connect with friends, followers, or customers instantly.
- Professional Content Creation: YouTube Live, Vimeo, and Muvi Live give creators and businesses polished tools, analytics, and monetization options.
- Gaming and Community: Twitch and Streamlabs shine for interactive gameplay and fan engagement.
- Private and Event-Driven: EventLive, Ustream, and Livestream excel for weddings, conferences, or concerts where you control who attends.
- Business and Webinars: Webex, ON24, and InterCall focus on secure communication and professional presentations.
Before going live, consider three key factors:
- Monetization: Apps like Twitch, YouTube, and Muvi Live let you earn through ads, subscriptions, or pay-per-view.
- Ease of Use: Social media apps require almost no setup, while enterprise or event apps may need a bit of prep.
- Audience Reach: Some platforms thrive on public discoverability, while others focus on privacy or professional settings.
Summary
Live streaming apps have opened the door to real-time connection in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. Whether you are sharing a personal milestone, running a polished business webinar, streaming a gaming session, or hosting a private event, there is an app that fits your needs perfectly.
With mobile technology putting professional-quality streaming in your pocket, the barriers to reaching an audience have never been lower. Choose the platform that matches your goals, take advantage of its features, and you can stream live events anytime, anywhere – creating moments that feel immediate and memorable for every viewer.
