The 12 Best iOS Live Streaming Apps for iPhone with RTMP Ingest [2023 Update]

Mobile live video streaming is on the rise, especially when it comes to providing coverage of live events, sharing in-the-moment reactions, or producing on-site segments.

Unless you have a dedicated camera crew, carrying around a camcorder at an event doesn’t always make sense. That’s why many people are reaching into their pockets for a convenient streaming device by using iOS live streaming apps for iPhones. 

Live streaming on your iPhone is made possible thanks to a variety of dedicated apps.

For users who don’t need much customization, a free platform like Facebook or TikTok is easy to use. However, for users who need the ability to customize their experience or stream directly to their website, streaming apps for iPhones have more robust options. 

Luckily, there are options for all different use cases.

In this post, we’re going to talk about the technology that makes mobile broadcasting possible at the professional level before diving into 12 of the best iOS live streaming apps for your iPhone with RTMP ingest.

Live Streaming from an iPhone and Other iOS Devices

The history of live streaming dates back to the early ‘90s when the world’s first live stream was thought to have taken place on June 24, 1993, from the offices of Xerox PARC in Palo Alto, California.

The engineers from these offices created a platform called “Mbone” to stream audio and video content to a small network around the globe. They primarily streamed music and concerts so that they could “jam out” together even when they weren’t in the same physical space.

Even though live streaming began in the ‘90s, it didn’t become popular until the early 2010s with the adoption of live streaming platforms followed by mobile apps. Livestream emerged in 2007  as the first live-streaming solution, and YouTube was launched the year after that.

Today, live streaming and the ability to broadcast rest in your pocket, with your phone. Thanks to its high-quality cameras and ease of use, the iPhone possesses the perfect solution for streaming on the go.

With the help of some powerful iPhone live streaming apps, you can stream live from your phone while incorporating pre-recorded footage and adding graphic overlays in real-time. With the right  mobile live streaming setup, you can also stream locally with no problem at all.

Creating professional broadcasts with an iPhone and the right apps is relatively easy with just a little practice. You can also stream with other iOS-supported devices, such as your iPad.  

Android devices can do a lot of the same work. Check out our article on Android-based live streaming for mobile streaming from an Android device.

RTMP: Why It’s Important for iOS Mobile Broadcasting

Before we get into which iOS live streaming apps are best for broadcasting from your iPhone, we’re going to briefly review RTMP.

RTMP is a protocol for streaming media over the internet. RTMP stands for Real-Time Messaging Protocol, and it was originally developed by Adobe to deliver streams to the Flash player. It’s widely used to  stream live video, where it has been the standard for many years.

For modern live streaming, RTMP is often used for server ingestion through an RTMP-enabled encoder, and it’s becoming rarer for delivery to viewers. That’s because RTMP requires the Flash plugin, which is being depreciated in favor of support for  HTML5 video standards.

HLS streaming is often considered a modern alternative to RTMP. However, for the sake of  mobile broadcasting, RTMP is still a priority.

RTMP ingestion allows mobile apps to connect to any online streaming software. This is in contrast to platform-specific apps like Facebook, which can only stream on their own platforms. An RTMP-enabled  iPhone app should allow you to stream to any video hosting and delivery service that can ingest RTMP video streams.

“RTMPS” is another protocol you’ll run into when choosing a live streaming app for iPhone. This is essentially a technology that is identical to RTMP with an added layer of security. This is the preferred protocol for  secure streaming, but RTMP for iOS will suffice.

The 12 Best iOS Live Streaming Apps for iPhone

Now that you have a basic understanding of why RTMP technology is so important for mobile live streaming, we’re going to talk about some of the best iPhone streaming apps for iOS.

All of these iOS live-streaming apps are available for download in the App Store. These iOS live streaming apps are both suitable for iPhones and iPads. 

1. Larix Broadcaster

Larix Broadcaster is the most reliable iPhone app for Dacast users.

Larix Broadcaster is our preferred iPhone streaming app. The app is software from Softvelum that supports several broadcasting tools to produce professional-grade broadcasts from a consumer-grade device.

It has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on the App Store, with reviews calling it “Simple and Effective” and “The Best.”

Download Larix Broadcaster on the App Store.

Key Features:

• RTMP (including SSL support/RTMPS) and RTSP publishing

• Multiple simultaneous connections allow streaming to several destinations

• Stream to a variety of services, including YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Dacast, and Twitch

• Adaptive video bitrate supported in three modes: logarithmic descend, ladder ascends, and hybrid approach

• Audio-only capture available

• Pause and standby modes

Pricing:

Larix Broadcaster is free to download and use, making it a go-to iPhone free streaming app. 

Pros:

• Easy to set up

• Supports RTMPS streaming

• Auto-archiving

• Front and back camera switching

Cons:

• “No frills”

• Single-camera streaming

• No screen adjustment for aspect ratios

Compatibility with Dacast:

Larix is compatible with Dacast. Here is a link to the full tutorial on how to live stream the Larix Broadcaster app with Dacast.

2. nanoStream

nanoStream was once our preferred iPhone streaming app, but it is no longer compatible with Dacast.

The nanoStream app is another high-quality live-streaming app for the iPhone. It allows full HD live streaming with bitrates up to 7.5 Mbits per second.

nanoStream connects via RTMP and includes other features similar to the other apps on this list, like local recording and support for vertical or horizontal video.

However, it does include several unique features. These include support for external cameras and even drone video. If you are connecting external cameras to your iPhone or iPad, this is one of the best live-streaming apps for the iPhone. 

Download nanoStream on the App Store.

Key Features:

• Global CDN for lightning-fast delivery on any platform or browser

• Use mobile or through a browser

• Easily integrates with existing live streaming infrastructure

Pricing:

The app is free to download, but it requires registration to use.

Pros:

• Low-latency streaming

• Uses H.264 video codec and  AAC audio codec

• HD streaming

• Vertical and horizontal video orientation

• iPhone and iPad app

Cons:

• Inconsistent positive ratings

• Limited compatibility

Compatibility with Dacast:

nanoStream is currently only compatible with Dacast for customers on the legacy my.dacast platform application and other third-party OVPs. Our team is working with nanoStream to reinstate this compatibility. Please bookmark this section as we will update it when the integration goes live!

3. Wirecast Go

Airmix is another great iOS streaming app. This app from Teradek allows broadcasters to mirror their streams from Airmix to other screens. This means you can share the content with not only remote viewers but also with those that are at the venue.

Essentially, this produces the same effect as a jumbotron where viewers can see what’s happening from a different angle or they can get a “closer” look on the bigger screen.

This app has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars on the App Store which is very impressive.

Download Airmix on the App Store.

Key Features:

• Multi-source streaming
• Multiviewer support

Pricing:

Airmix is free to download, but it does require in-app purchases for certain functions.

Pros:

• Supports multiple sources (pre-recorded content, front and rear cameras, external camera)
• Audio balancing
• Graphics overlays and text titles
• Color correcting filters
• Great user reviews

Cons:

• Buggy on some devices
• Requires in-app purchases

Compatibility with Dacast:

Airmix is not currently compatible with Dacast, but our team is working to reinstate the compatibility.

4. Airmix

Like most of Teradek’s products, Airmix is a reliable iOS RTMP streaming app.

Airmix is another great iOS streaming app. This app from Teradek allows broadcasters to mirror their streams from Airmix to other screens. This means you can share the content with not only remote viewers but also with those who are at the venue.

Essentially, this produces the same effect as a jumbotron where viewers can see what’s happening from a different angle or they can get a “closer” look on the bigger screen.

This app has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars on the App Store which is very impressive.

Download Airmix on the App Store.

Key Features:

• Multi-source streaming

• Multi viewer support

• Audio mixer and graphics editor

• Built-in customizable scoreboards and overlays

• Streaming to any online video platform supported

• Instant replay and slow-motion functionality for sports streams

• YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch chat monitoring integration

• Manual camera control for iOS devices for bitrate, focus, resolution, and exposure

Pricing:

Airmix is free to download, but it does require in-app purchases for certain functions.

Pros:

• Supports multiple sources (pre-recorded content, front and rear cameras, external camera)

• Audio balancing

• Graphics overlays and text titles

• Color correcting filters

• Great user reviews

Cons:

• Buggy on some devices

• Requires in-app purchases

Compatibility with Dacast:

Airmix is not currently compatible with Dacast, but our team is working to reinstate the compatibility.

5. Broadcast Me

Broadcast Me also supports RTMPS streaming, which provides more security than the standard RTMP protocol. It’s among the top iPhone live-streaming applications that you can use for free.

BroadcastMe offers low latency streaming which makes your live videos less likely to buffer even when your viewers use an unstable internet connection. Video is delivered with an adaptive bitrate in either portrait or landscape orientation.

You can use either your rear or front camera when using this streaming application. However, the application does not support rear cameras which means you cannot use a wide angle lens on your iOS device.

Download Broadcast Me on the App Store.

Key Features:

• 4K streaming

• Send remote notifications to app users when they’re near news events

• Two simultaneous video streams

• Fully functional production system, including editing, SEO tools, and infographic integration

Pricing:

Broadcast Me is free to download and use.

Pros:

• Use of the front or rear camera

• Encrypted streaming via the RTMPS protocol

• Option to save the video file locally

• Low latency streaming

• White-label app 

Cons:

• Limited compatibility

• Cannot utilize the newest iPhones’ wide-angle lens

Compatibility with Dacast:

Broadcast Me is not compatible with Dacast.

6. Twitch

This wildly popular streaming app is mostly used in the gaming space.

Twitch, which is owned by Amazon, is a massively popular  live streaming platform for desktop and mobile that’s used largely by gamers. Twitch has seen a rise in other independent content creators, such as musicians, in recent years. 

Twitch is the most popular platform for live-streaming content, offering users the option to subscribe to their favorite channels.  It’s also one of the most beginner-friendly live-streaming apps.

Key Features:

• Widely used and trusted platform

• Users make money through donations, subscriptions, and ads

• A generally easy-to-use platform offering both desktop and mobile streaming

Pricing:

Twitch is free to use.

Pros:

• Well-known streaming platform with a recognizable name

• A large influx of potential viewers

• A subscription model offers users long-term earning potential

Cons:

• Lots of users, so it’s difficult for streams to gain traction

• Very niche audience (mostly gaming and Esports)

Compatibility with Dacast:

Twitch is currently not compatible with Dacast, but we do support simulcasting to platforms like Twitch and Facebook with the help of dedicated streaming software.

7. YouTube Live

The online video streaming giant offers mobile live streaming for users with at least 1,000 subscribers.

YouTube supports both pre-recorded video hosting and live-streaming content for creators, with billions of viewers every day.  Unlike other similar platforms, it also supports creator collaboration by allowing you to share your audience with other creators.

YouTube Live is a feature of the YouTube mobile app that’s open to creators with at least 1,000 subscribers, giving them easy access to streams while on the go.

Key Features:

• Mobile live streaming is available within the existing YouTube app

• Schedule your live stream or create truly live content

• Multiple options for monetization, live chat, age restriction, and more

Pricing:

YouTube Live is free for YouTube users.

Pros:

• Mobile live streaming is right within the YouTube app

• Available for Apple and Android

• Schedule live streams for later or stream content in real-time

• Easy-to-use platform familiar to YouTube creators

Cons:

• Live streaming capabilities are only available to users with more than 1,000 subscribers

Compatibility with Dacast:

Youtube Live is not compatible with Dacast but we do offer compatibility options with  YouTube alternatives.

8. Facebook Live

Share live videos to all your brand’s social media followers using the app already on your phone.

Facebook Live is a popular feature of Facebook, one of the largest social media platforms in the world. Facebook Live is available to all users, allowing individuals and brands to share content in real time.

Facebook Live allows for easy streaming of live content right on an individual or business Facebook page. It works with a variety of platforms, including iOS devices. 

Key Features:

• Shoot and share the video right within the app

• Notifications of new videos can be sent right to your page’s current followers

• The commenting feature allows viewers to interact with you and one another

Pricing:

Facebook Live is free for anyone using the Facebook app.

Pros:

• Easily go live within the existing Facebook app

• Moderate and respond to comments

• A ready-made audience of your page’s current followers

• Live stream from a mobile device or desktop

Cons:

• Streams can be subject to the same technical issues as the overall Facebook platform

• Algorithms may limit your reach

Compatibility with Dacast:

Facebook Live is not compatible with Dacast but we do support simulcasting to Facebook with the help of dedicated  software encoders.

9. TikTok

Known for its short video sharing, TikTok offers live streaming for accounts with at least 1,000 followers.

TikTok is a video-sharing app that provides a platform for anyone who wants to create short-form video content. Live streaming is an exclusive feature that can only be accessed by certain users.

Users with at least 1,000 followers and who are 16 or older can share content in real-time with TikTok Live.

Key Features:

• Stream live from the TikTok app

• Send and receive gifts during a live stream

• Content goes to current followers and can be picked up by new users with TikTok’s algorithm

Pricing:

TikTok is free for users.

Pros:

• Suggestion algorithm can show your live streams to people who don’t already follow you

• Same easy-to-use app as making regular TikTok videos

• Turn “gifts” from viewers into real cash

Cons:

• Strict community standards

• Lots of content means it may be difficult to be seen by new users

Compatibility with Dacast:

Dacast is not compatible with TikTok.

10. Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio-only streaming app.

Clubhouse is a bit different from the live streaming apps that we’ve covered so far because it only supports audio streaming. This app was originally launched as an invite-only platform that was only accessible to iOS users. However, it quickly evolved to become more accessible to all users on different types of devices. 

Clubhouse has been particularly useful for brands and professionals who are looking to network and connect with others. Clubhouse also offers live chat rooms for audio-only streaming. The presenter can hold a one-way presentation, or they can allow listeners to participate in the presentation, as well.

Key Features:

• Private chat rooms

• Great for networking and community building

• Tools for encouraging audience participation

• Control tools for customizing stream permissions 

Pricing:

Clubhouse is free to use.

Pros:

• Free to use

• Makes information accessible to large audiences

• Highly interactive

Cons:

• Audio only

• Not very well-known yet

• Complaints of “too much noise”

Compatibility with Dacast:

Clubhouse is currently not compatible with Dacast.

11. LinkedIn Live

LinkedIn Live is a great live streaming app for professionals.

LinkedIn Live is a newer business offering from LinkedIn that helps brands connect with viewers via live streams.  LinkedIn Live makes it easy to target a very specific audience, such as professionals in your industry.

LinkedIn Live requires the support of a custom RTMP streaming setup or the support of a third-party streaming platform, like Dacast.

Download LinkedIn on the App Store. 

Key Features:

• Social media streaming to a professional audience

• Quality control and exclusivity 

• Designed to boost engagement

• Integrated with LinkedIn Events for virtual event hosting

Pricing:

LinkedIn Live is free to use as long as your application is accepted.

Pros:

• Free app

• Good for niche audiences

• Designed to build brand awareness

• Helps increase engagement

Cons:

• Access is application only

• Requires third-party support

• Closely monitored and highly regulated 

Compatibility with Dacast:

LinkedIn Live is compatible with Dacast. In fact, LinkedIn Live needs the support of an RTMP-enabled platform like Dacast to operate.

12. YouNow

YouNow is a well-established streaming app with a vibrant community of talented streamers.

YouNow is a live-streaming app that has been around for over a decade. This social media app is known for its safe streaming. 

This live-streaming app is particularly well known for helping streamers connect with their audiences. It is a great live-streaming app for iPhone. 

Key Features:

• Supports video monetization

• Content restrictions and community guidelines

• 24/7 content monitoring 

• Easy login with Google, Apple, and Instagram

Pricing:

YouNow is free to download and use.

Pros:

• Long-standing platform 

• Safe and secure 

• The platform is very straightforward

• Desktop and mobile streaming

Cons:

• Not as popular as it once was

• Monetization is limited to “Partners” that meet certain criteria

Compatibility with Dacast:

YouNow doesn’t use the support of professional broadcasting platforms, so it does not work with Dacast.

Connecting Your Live Streaming App to an RTMP Server

With many live streaming apps, you’ll need an RTMP server to connect it to. This usually means linking to an online video platform (OVP).

An OVP will allow you to live stream video via a distributed network of servers around the world. This will ensure maximum speed and reliability and minimize problems such as buffering.

Connecting a mobile app to an RTMP server usually involves filling in two fields. One field is the URL of the server. This usually comes in the format “rtmp://XYZ.COM/XYZ.” The second field is the stream name or stream key. This is a randomly generated code or text string. It points your streaming app to the correct live streaming channel and authorizes access at the same time.

You can find these credentials on your online video platform, and then copy them into your iPhone live streaming app to connect to the server and go live.

Please check out our guide to live streaming from your iPhone for details on how to connect your live stream app to your RTMP server and start your live stream. 

FAQs

1. Can I live stream with my iPhone?

If you don’t have the budget for a video camera and decoder, you can still use your iPhone to achieve a high-quality live stream. The most important software you’ll need to have on your iPhone is a mobile live-streaming application to encode your stream.

Depending on what your needs are, you can find software that is compatible with different live-streaming platforms or a platform with built-in live-streaming features, like Facebook. 

Other items you’ll need include a tripod to help you capture your videos from different angles and a stable internet connection.

2. How do I enable live streaming on my iPhone?

To enable live streaming from your iPhone, you need live-streaming software. This could be a platform-specific app like YouTube or other sophisticated software like Larix Broadcaster depending on your level of experience. 

The software will enable you to upload your videos to a live-streaming platform. 

3. Which iPhone is best for live streaming?

It’s hard to say which iPhone model is the best for live streaming video quality as most of the latest ones, from as far back as the iPhone Pro Max, have pretty powerful cameras and great processing speeds. 

Also, the phone you want to get will depend on your budget, and this may mean starting out with what you already have. Another significant feature to look out for would be the phone’s storage space and battery life. 

4. What should I look for in live streaming apps for iPhone?

What to look for in a mobile live-streaming app will depend on your needs. Beginners are better off with simpler platforms that have fixed settings, such as Twitch or YouTube. 

However, experts may want some wiggle room and more control over their streams so they’d choose applications with more customization, such as nanoStream. Just make sure that the platform you choose supports RTMP.

5. What are the top 5 live streaming apps for iPhone users?

Here is a list of some of the top apps worth considering for your iPhone live stream:

• Larix Broadcaster

• nanoStream

• Wirecast Go

• Airmix

• Broadcast Me

Conclusion

With the technology and applications that we have access to today, you can start streaming in no time. If you’re new to mobile broadcasting, you can follow our tutorial on iPhone live streaming as a starting point.

Since several of the apps we mentioned are free, we recommend downloading the one you think will best meet your broadcasting needs and testing it out. If you don’t have an online video platform to connect it to, do not fret.

That’s where Dacast’s 14-day risk-free trial comes into play. Sign up today to start your free trial of Dacast.

From there, you can follow our iPhone live streaming guide to learn how to connect the two platforms and start streaming.

Create a Dacast account now to get started. No credit card is required. 

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