Hey, what’s up?
Are you tired of being tied to Twitch or other streaming platforms with all their rules, ads, and algorithms? Well, today’s guide is going to be a little different. I decided to set up Owncast, a free and open-source live streaming and chat server that runs on your own server.
So if you want full control over your streams and a simpler experience, this guide is for you.
1 – What Is Owncast?
When you hear Twitch or Kick, you probably think “live streaming with rules and ads.” But Owncast is different. It’s open-source, and you host it yourself on a VPS or your own server.
You can stream video, host live chat, and even connect to the Fediverse, letting people follow your stream without relying on centralized platforms.
It’s still live streaming, but now you’re in control. No forced ads, no algorithm pushing content, just your own server running your own stream.
2 – Getting Started
I just set up my Owncast server a few days ago, so here’s what you need to know:
To access the admin dashboard, go to your Owncast URL and add /admin. By default:
- Username: admin
- Password: abc123
Make sure to change this immediately.
3 – First Things to Do
Change Your Admin Password
Go to Configuration → Server Setup and change your password. abc123 is not secure, so make this your first step.
Update Your Stream Key
Go to Stream Keys and create a new secure key. Delete the default key once your new key is active. Keep it private and don’t share it with anyone.
Customize Your Channel
Under Configuration → General, you can personalize your server:
- Server name
- Server URL
- About section
- Logo or profile picture
- Tags
- Social handles
- Page colors
This is how your stream page will look to viewers.
4 – Optional Features
Enable Directory Listing
Turning on Enable Directory lets your server appear in the Owncast directory, which is a community list of streaming servers. This is one of the few ways people can discover your stream organically.
Enable Social Features
In Configuration → Social, you can enable Fediverse connectivity. This allows:
- Users to follow your stream
- Users to authenticate in chat using Mastodon or other Fediverse accounts
- Extra social interactions
If you want a private stream, leave these features off.
5 – Setting Up Your Stream
- Open your streaming software (I use OBS).
- Go to Settings → Stream → Custom.
- Enter your Streaming URL and Stream Key from your Owncast dashboard.
- Apply the settings and start streaming!
Once live, your stream page will show the video, chat, and all customizations. You can moderate chat directly from the dashboard.
6 – Why I Like Owncast
- Simplicity: Everything is essential, nothing unnecessary.
- Full Control: You own your server and your content.
- No Ads or Algorithms: You decide what’s on your stream, with no forced interruptions.
7 – Challenges to Keep in Mind
- Audience Building: Owncast doesn’t provide an audience. You’ll need to promote your server to bring viewers.
- Technical Setup: You need some technical skills to set up the server, but once it’s running, streaming is easy.
Conclusion
Overall, Owncast is simple, straightforward, and gives you full control over your stream. It’s perfect if you want to escape the rules, ads, and algorithms of traditional platforms.
The main challenge is building your own audience, but if you can do that, you get a private, ad-free streaming experience that you fully control.
If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it or leaving a comment below.
I hope this helps, peace!
Leave a Reply