Choosing your ingest protocol: RTMP, RTMPS, SRT or WHIP
Choosing your ingest protocol: RTMP, RTMPS, SRT or WHIP
ApexStream supports several ways to send video into the platform from an external encoder. The right choice depends on your plan, network, and latency needs.
Protocol overview
| Protocol | Best for | Plan required |
|---|---|---|
| RTMP | General compatibility with OBS, Streamlabs, and most encoders. | All plans |
| RTMPS | Encrypted RTMP, useful on strict corporate networks. | All plans |
| SRT | Reliable, low-latency streaming over unstable networks. | Creator and above |
| WHIP | Uses the same browser real-time technology as video calls for near-instant, sub-second latency. | Creator and above |
Where to find your connection details
- Go to your dashboard and open the stream you want to broadcast to.
- Click the encoder connection section or open Settings > Stream Setup.
- Choose the RTMP, RTMPS, SRT, or WHIP tab.
- Copy the server URL and stream key for your encoder.
Quick recommendations
- Use RTMP if you want the simplest setup.
- Use SRT if you are on a less stable network or need the most reliable professional feed.
- Use WHIP if you are building a low-latency workflow and your encoder supports it.
Good to know: RTMPS is included on every plan. On Free, the RTMPS tab may currently show as locked — pick RTMP instead (functionally equivalent for almost all encoders). Region selection is available on Scale and Enterprise only; Free, Hobby, and Creator use automatic routing.
