# Owncast

> open source software for self-hosting streaming video services

**Wikidata**: [Q104533790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104533790)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/owncast

## Summary
Owncast is an open-source software for self-hosting live streaming services, written in Go and licensed under the MIT License. It enables users to create their own streaming platforms without relying on third-party services, offering full control over content and infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Software type**: Non-tangible executable component of a computer (Wikidata)
- **Primary use**: Live streaming (Wikidata)
- **License**: MIT License (Wikidata)
- **Programming language**: Go (Wikidata)
- **Operating system**: Cross-platform (Wikidata)
- **Website**: [https://owncast.online/](https://owncast.online/) (English)
- **Source code repository**: [GitHub](https://github.com/owncast/owncast) (Wikidata)
- **Twitter handle**: @owncastlive (Wikidata)
- **Mastodon address**: owncast@fosstodon.org (Wikidata)
- **First release**: v0.0.1 on August 8, 2020 (Wikidata)
- **Latest release**: v0.0.10 on October 7, 2021 (Wikidata)
- **Protocols supported**: Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) and ActivityPub (Wikidata)
- **Depends on software**: FFmpeg (Wikidata)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Owncast used for?
A: Owncast is used for self-hosting live streaming services, allowing individuals or organizations to create their own streaming platforms without relying on third-party services.

### Q: Is Owncast free to use?
A: Yes, Owncast is open-source and licensed under the MIT License, making it free to use, modify, and distribute.

### Q: What programming language is Owncast written in?
A: Owncast is written in Go, a programming language developed by Google and the open-source community.

### Q: Can Owncast be used on multiple operating systems?
A: Yes, Owncast is cross-platform and can be implemented and operated on multiple computing platforms.

### Q: How do I get started with Owncast?
A: You can find installation instructions and documentation on the [Owncast website](https://owncast.online/docs/).

## Why It Matters
Owncast addresses the growing demand for decentralized and self-hosted media platforms, particularly in response to concerns over privacy, censorship, and reliance on centralized services. By providing an open-source solution for live streaming, Owncast empowers users to maintain full control over their content and infrastructure. This is significant in an era where digital media consumption is increasingly dominated by platforms that prioritize data collection and monetization over user autonomy. Owncast’s focus on simplicity, privacy, and self-sovereignty makes it a valuable tool for individuals, communities, and organizations seeking to bypass traditional streaming services.

## Notable For
- **Decentralized streaming**: Owncast enables users to host their own streaming services, reducing dependency on centralized platforms.
- **Open-source licensing**: The MIT License allows for widespread adoption, modification, and distribution without restrictions.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Works across multiple operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility.
- **ActivityPub integration**: Supports the ActivityPub protocol, enabling interoperability with other federated social media platforms.
- **FFmpeg dependency**: Leverages FFmpeg for video processing, ensuring high-quality streaming capabilities.

## Body
### Overview
Owncast is an open-source project aimed at providing a self-hosted alternative to commercial live streaming services. It is written in Go, a statically typed, compiled language designed for simplicity and efficiency. The software is licensed under the MIT License, which permits free use, modification, and distribution.

### Development and Releases
Owncast was first released on August 8, 2020, with version 0.0.1. Subsequent releases have introduced new features and improvements, with the latest stable version being 0.0.10, released on October 7, 2021. The project is actively maintained on GitHub, with regular updates and community contributions.

### Technical Specifications
Owncast is designed to be cross-platform, meaning it can run on various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports the Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) for video streaming and integrates with ActivityPub, a decentralized social networking protocol. The software relies on FFmpeg for video processing, ensuring high-quality streaming capabilities.

### Community and Support
Owncast has a growing community, with active engagement on platforms like Twitter (@owncastlive) and Mastodon (owncast@fosstodon.org). The project also has a dedicated documentation site, providing users with guidance on installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

### Future Directions
The project continues to evolve, with ongoing development focused on expanding features, improving performance, and enhancing user experience. Future releases may introduce additional protocols, integrations, and optimizations to meet the needs of its user base.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.10)
2. [Release 0.0.1. 2020](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.1)
3. [Release 0.0.2. 2020](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.2)
4. [Release 0.0.3. 2020](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.3)
5. [Release 0.0.4. 2020](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.4)
6. [Release 0.0.5. 2021](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.5)
7. [Release 0.0.6. 2021](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.6)
8. [Release 0.0.7. 2021](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.7)
9. [Release 0.0.8. 2021](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.8)
10. [Release 0.0.9. 2021](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.9)
11. [Release 0.0.11. 2022](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.11)
12. [Release 0.0.12. 2022](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.12)
13. [Release 0.0.13. 2022](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.13)
14. [Release 0.1.0. 2023](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
15. [Release 0.1.1. 2023](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.1)
16. [Release 0.1.2. 2023](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.2)
17. [Release 0.1.3. 2024](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.3)
18. [Release 0.2.0. 2025](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
19. [Release 0.2.1. 2025](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
20. [Release 0.2.2. 2025](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.2)
21. [Release 0.2.3. 2025](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.3)
22. [Release 0.2.4. 2026](https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.4)
23. [Owncast (@owncastlive) / Twitter](https://twitter.com/owncastlive)