5 Ways To Broadcast LIVE On Facebook On Any Budget

You may already be using Facebook Live for your business. However, what you may not know is that there are now a whole host of products out there that can enhance how you broadcast LIVE on Facebook.

These 3^rd party software solutions can help you take your Facebook Lives to a whole new level. Some of the added functionalities you can enjoy with these programs include:

• Allowing you to invite dozens of remote guests into your broadcast
• Letting you share your screen with your viewers
• The ability to add fancy titles or graphics to your broadcasts
• Letting you schedule your broadcasts
• Mixing audio and video in real time
• Allowing you to go live on multiple platforms at once

This post will outline several of my favorite resources for adding functionality to your Facebook Lives. Some are free, while others cost several hundred dollars. Be sure to do your research before you decide which ones are right for you!

Updated: 4.8.20

1. StreamYard

If you’re looking for an extremely user-friendly app that lets you stream to Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn…all from right within your web browser, look no further than StreamYard!

This is the tool we use for my “every day” Facebook Lives, and I look at how easy it makes the whole process. Some of my favorite features include:

• No downloads required – everything happens in your browser
• BIGGEE…Go LIVE on multiple platforms at the same time! Multistream up to 5 destinations simultaneously.
• Easily show viewer comments on-screen
• Customize lives with your own logo, colors, and even prerecorded videos
• Ability to add a customized call to action (CTA) with a single click

Price: Limited-feature version is available for free. Paid plans range from $20/month to $39/month depending on multistream destinations and recording time.

2. Facebook Live App

Especially if you’re just starting out, the Facebook Live app on your fan page, in an event or inside of a group, is a great place to start. All you need to do is go to the status update box, click on the Facebook Live icon, type in your title and hit the go live button.

Features:

• Friends will automatically be notified once you go live
• Select the audience you want to broadcast to
• Built-in drawing function and filters
• Ability to enter comments in text field

Cons

Lacks many of the extra features of 3^rd party apps.

Cost: Free

3. Be.Live

This is a favorite among live streamers due to its reasonable price and features.

It boasts zero setups, meaning you can simply sign up and start streaming, literally within minutes! Some of the other great features include:

• Ability to add your own logo, colors, and overlays (and change them in real-time if you want)
• Show viewer comments on the screen
• Show up to 4 guests on-screen at one time

4. Zoom

You may already use Zoom for virtual meetings and webinars, but did you know you can also use it to live stream to Facebook and YouTube?

Simply click on the “More” tab at the bottom of your Zoom Webinar or Zoom Meeting screen, and you can immediately launch your live…literally within seconds. It’s that easy!

Features include:

• Ability to show multiple speakers on-screen at one time
• Share screen content with your audience
• Viewers can like, share or comment on your lives
• Include interactive polls and quizzes

Price: Depends on whether you’re using Zoom Meeting or Zoom Webinar, but prices start at around $20/month per host for Meeting and around $50/month for Webinar.

5. vMix

This powerhouse of a live streaming app is the one we use for my Facebook Live show, Marketing That GROWS Your Business.

Though it’s not the cheapest app on this list, it’s one that will pretty much meet all your live streaming needs…even if you need really advanced, professional-level features.

Some of my favorite features include:

• 13 awesome transition effects including Vertical Wipe and Zoom
• 100+ built-in animations you can include in your lives
• HD virtual sets to jazz up your background
• Add up to 8 remote guests (the number you can add depends on which plan you buy)
• Built-in audio mixer
• Ability to adjust video effects while live streaming (sharpen, zoom, crop, etc.)

Price: The basic version with limited features is free! Other plans range from $60 to $1200 depending on the number of callers you want to have on, the number of overlay channels, etc.

Final Thoughts

All of the tools above let you add functionality to your Facebook Live broadcasts. While some are free and easy to use right out of the gate, others will have a steeper learning curve and will require a bigger cash investment. Be sure to do your research before jumping in!

Looking for more help with Facebook Live? You may find these recent posts helpful:

The 10 Best Live Streaming Apps for Facebook

How To Look Like a Pro Using Facebook Live: Lights, Camera, Action

The Facebook Live “Quick Start” Checklist

What’s your favorite software for adding functionality to Facebook Live? Share below!

About Author

Kim Garst

Kim Garst is one of the world's most retweeted people among digital marketers. She is a renowed business strategist, keynote speaker and an international best-selling author of Will The Real You Please Stand Up, Show Up, Be Authentic and Prosper in Social Media. Kim helps business owners grow their business using social and digital media.

She is the founder of KG Enterprises, LLC, a business strategy consulting company that helps business owners create more sales using the power of digital and social media.

Kim is also internationally recognized as a thought leader in the social media space. Forbes named her as one of the Top 10 Social Media Power Influencers. Her blog is one of the top social media resources in the world.

You can find more great content from her at www.kimgarst.com/blog.

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