Recommended encoder settings

These settings work well for streaming into ApexStream from OBS, Streamlabs, vMix, or any other encoder that lets you set a custom RTMP server.

Video settings

| Setting | Recommendation | |---|---| | Resolution | Match your plan's cap: 720p on Free, 1080p on Hobby, up to 4K on Creator and above. | | Bitrate | Stay at or below your plan's cap: Free 3 Mbps, Hobby 6 Mbps, Creator 9 Mbps, Scale 15 Mbps, Enterprise 50 Mbps. | | Keyframe interval | 2 seconds. | | Codec | H.264. | | Rate control | CBR (constant bitrate). | | Frame rate | 30 fps for most streams; 60 fps only if your computer and upload can sustain it reliably. |

Audio settings

| Setting | Recommendation | |---|---| | Sample rate | 48 kHz for most platforms. Use 44.1 kHz if you're streaming to Facebook. | | Bitrate | 128–160 kbps stereo. | | Codec | AAC. |

Upload bandwidth

Aim to use about 75% of your tested upload speed or less. For example, if you test at 8 Mbps upload, a 6 Mbps stream leaves room for network dips. If your upload is close to your bitrate cap, lower the bitrate or use a wired connection.

Good to know: Sending a higher resolution or bitrate than your plan allows won't improve quality — ApexStream enforces the plan cap at the relay and the stream can fail to start. Match your encoder output to your plan instead.