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For a technically capable creator who needs an object-storage origin, Backblaze B2 is a cost-conscious option to evaluate; Google Cloud Storage is a stronger fit when storage, processing and CDN delivery are part of a managed media workflow. Neither is a complete 24/7 YouTube playout system. Storage holds your video files; an encoder or streaming service must read them and send a live feed to YouTube. Choose based on your stored capacity, expected reads, delivery region, CDN use and operating skills—not storage price per terabyte alone.
First, separate cloud storage from YouTube playout
A cloud drive or object-storage bucket can hold documentary masters and loop-ready video files. It does not, by itself, create a continuous live broadcast. YouTube’s encoder workflow requires a streaming application or service configured with YouTube’s Live server URL and stream key.
Think of the system as two jobs: a storage layer that keeps the assets, and a playout layer that retrieves them, schedules or loops them, and sends a live feed to YouTube. A reliable setup must account for both. The reviewed provider guidance does not establish B2, Google Cloud Storage, Wasabi or Google Drive as an unattended, resilient YouTube playout service.
Which cloud storage is best for a 24/7 YouTube stream?
| Option | Best fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Backblaze B2 | Active object storage for a creator or team willing to configure the software that reads and delivers its files. Backblaze describes its service as S3-compatible and lists an included egress allowance. | Calculate stored volume and outgoing reads, and confirm whether your transfer route qualifies for a partner route. It is storage, not YouTube playout. |
| Google Cloud Storage | A managed media workflow in which storage, processing, network delivery and CDN use are designed together. Google identifies streaming video as a standard-storage use. | Costs depend on storage, processing, network use, region and optional caching. Google’s media guidance recommends a CDN for customer reads in content-serving workloads. |
| Wasabi | Video object storage when the actual egress pattern fits the vendor’s stated pricing assumptions, potentially with CDN caching. | Wasabi says its pricing model is not suitable when video egress exceeds the amount stored. Review its current minimum-duration and other terms before choosing. |
| Google Drive for desktop | Personal or collaborative file access when desktop file streaming or mirroring is the need. | Google says mirroring is faster for work involving extensive writing, video editing or high-resolution photo editing. The reviewed guidance does not establish it as a resilient 24/7 playout system. |
Backblaze B2: a cost-conscious object-storage origin
Backblaze’s pricing page, accessed in 2026, lists a starting price of $6.95 per TB per month, free egress up to three times average monthly stored data, and $0.01 per GB above that threshold outside eligible partner routes. These are published starting rates and allowances, not a complete estimate for every region or delivery route. Check the current terms and model your traffic before budgeting.
#1 Best Overall
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B2 is a plausible fit if you can configure the tools that fetch your videos and you have estimated the volume of outgoing reads. Its egress allowance can matter for a repeatedly accessed library, but it does not remove the need to calculate traffic beyond the included threshold or to build a separate playout path.
Google Cloud Storage: a media-pipeline building block
Google Cloud Storage can be part of a larger workflow for asset management, processing and content serving. For customer reads in a content-serving workload, Google’s media guidance recommends putting a CDN in front of storage. A CDN can cache frequently requested content, reduce latency and bandwidth use, and lower delivery costs; the result depends on the actual cache behavior and traffic pattern.
Rank #2
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There is no useful universal monthly price for this setup without details such as storage quantity, region, processing, network traffic and caching. Use Google’s current pricing tools for the intended configuration rather than treating the storage rate as the whole cost.
Wasabi and Google Drive: fit the access pattern
Wasabi’s own guidance warns against video-hosting use where egress downloads exceed stored data. If viewers or delivery clients repeatedly fetch files from the origin, CDN caching may reduce repeat origin downloads, but check Wasabi’s current terms and test the expected access pattern in your cost model.
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Rank #3
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Google Drive for desktop addresses desktop file access rather than continuous broadcast delivery. Google’s guidance says mirroring is faster for workflows with extensive writing, video editing or high-resolution photo editing. That makes the mode relevant to editing and local access decisions, not proof that Drive will keep a YouTube stream running unattended.
How to estimate the real monthly cost
Compare total workload cost, not just the advertised cost to store one terabyte. Before choosing, estimate:
Rank #4
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- Stored capacity: the space required for source masters, loop-ready exports and retained versions.
- Outgoing reads: how much data the playout system retrieves, how often it retrieves it and whether it downloads files repeatedly.
- Delivery path: region, network or egress rates, eligible partner routes and whether a CDN serves cached copies.
- Additional services: processing, requests, caching or other workflow charges that apply to your configuration.
- Operating effort: the technical work needed to configure, monitor and recover the encoder, storage access and delivery pipeline.
For a continuously delivered video, a popular stream can generate a very different read pattern from an archive that is accessed occasionally. No single provider is defensibly the cheapest or fastest for every creator: geography, stored capacity, viewer and read traffic, cache hit rate, playout arrangement and egress route all affect the answer. Provider rates and eligible routes can change, so confirm current pricing when you calculate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Build a 24/7 workflow with a separate backup
- Keep master and loop-ready files in storage suited to your access pattern. Decide whether you need an active object-storage origin, a managed media workflow, or ordinary desktop file access.
- Configure the playout system separately. In YouTube’s encoder workflow, provide the Live server URL and stream key to the streaming software or service that will send the feed. Storage alone does not perform this step.
- Use a CDN for content-serving reads where appropriate. Google’s media guidance recommends a CDN for customer reads; include cache behavior in your delivery and cost design.
- Keep and check a local recording archive. Verify that the local file is growing, and monitor the stream’s audio and video quality. YouTube Help recommends a local archive as a backup.
- Plan retention outside YouTube. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, but streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. A 24/7 feed therefore needs an independent archive plan.
If you need playout, not just storage
#1 StreamNeo for an always-on YouTube feed from uploaded videos
StreamNeo is a separate cloud playout service, not a general-purpose object-storage provider. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It is YouTube-only and plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed.
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Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot with no re-encoding or quality tiers. The first day is free with no card, once per account. After that, billing options range from a day to a year, with cancellation any time; UPI and cards are available in India, and card checkout is available worldwide.
The monthly option is $9.99 per month. For five or more slots, contact support. See StreamNeo or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
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