The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A 24/7 YouTube stream on Google Compute Engine costs at least the price of a VM running continuously, plus any disks, IP addresses, licenses, or other configured services. Using Google Cloud’s listed US on-demand rates, an e2-standard-2 works out to about $48.92 for an illustrative 730-hour month; an e2-standard-4 to about $97.84. Those are VM-only estimates, not complete deployment quotes. Google lists VM-to-YouTube transfer as no charge, but that does not make every other part of the deployment free.
Compute Engine cost for a 24/7 YouTube stream
Google Cloud’s general-purpose pricing page lists the following on-demand E2 rates for the US locations shown. Multiplying each hourly rate by 730 hours gives a convenient estimate, not the exact hours in every calendar month. Rates were accessed on October 3, 2026, and actual charges depend on region, consumption model, and eligibility.
| VM type | Listed resources | Hourly rate | 730-hour VM estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
e2-standard-2 |
2 vCPU, 8 GiB | $0.06701142 | About $48.92 |
e2-standard-4 |
4 vCPU, 16 GiB | $0.13402284 | About $97.84 |
These are calculated runtime examples from Google Cloud’s general-purpose VM pricing, not tested recommendations for encoding a particular stream and not totals for a working setup. Google lists other machine families and consumption models; compare the same region and pricing basis, and do not assume a discounted rate without confirming that your deployment qualifies.
What is and is not included
Transfer to YouTube
Google’s network pricing table lists transfer from a Compute Engine VM to YouTube as “No charge,” for the specified VM-to-Google-products traffic category. This applies to the stream’s destination traffic described by that table; it does not waive VM runtime, disk, external IP, traffic to other destinations, or other cloud services.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Other internet egress
Outbound traffic to other internet destinations is a separate category. For the listed regions on Standard Tier, Google’s Network Service Tiers pricing shows an initial 200 GiB per month at $0, followed by a listed band from 200 GiB to 10,240 GiB at $0.085/GiB per month per account. Region, service tier, and applicability matter, so do not apply these figures to all traffic or locations.
Disk, images, and additional resources
Persistent disks and images are billed separately from VM instances and networking; see Google’s disk and image pricing. Check the actual configuration for external IP charges, operating-system licensing, monitoring, backups, storage, and any additional services. Google’s VM instance pricing and the applicable resource pricing pages should be used alongside the real deployment configuration.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to build a realistic monthly estimate
- Choose the region and machine type. Use the rate for the location where the VM will run and the relevant consumption model. The examples above are specific to the US locations listed on Google’s pricing page.
- Estimate runtime. Multiply the applicable hourly VM rate by expected running hours. A 730-hour month is an estimate convention; use the actual billing period and operating schedule for a more precise calculation.
- Specify the workload. Determine whether the VM will only relay an already encoded feed or also encode/transcode it. Resolution, frame rate, bitrate, codec, and software affect resource needs. A 24/7 schedule alone is not enough to select a VM size.
- Add disk and other resources. Include the disk size and type, images, IP configuration, licenses, backups, monitoring, and any other services you will actually use.
- Classify network destinations. Apply the no-charge category only to VM-to-YouTube traffic described by Google’s table. Estimate traffic to other destinations separately using the correct region and tier.
- Price the full configuration. Enter the actual region and resources in Google Cloud’s pricing calculator. Treat a VM-only multiplication as one component of the bill, not a quote.
Choose VM capacity based on encoding, not uptime alone
A VM that forwards an already encoded feed has a different workload from one that performs CPU-intensive encoding or transcoding. The available pricing figures do not establish that either example machine type is adequate for a particular stream. Define the software and output settings, then measure the workload before committing to a machine size. YouTube’s encoder settings guidance covers supported stream settings; YouTube says, “We recommend streaming to YouTube Live with RTMPS, a secure extension to the popular RTMP streaming video protocol.”
Also account for how the service will recover from a VM, software, or network failure. A single VM price does not include failover or redundancy; price the actual recovery design rather than assuming continuous availability from one instance.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Google Cloud Live Stream API is a separate option
Google Cloud’s Live Stream API is a managed service, not another name for a Compute Engine VM. Its charges depend on active-channel duration, configured input and output resolution, and codec. The pricing page lists a distribution endpoint at $0.75 per hour, H.264 HD output at $0.45 per hour, and H.264 SD output at $0.22 per hour in its displayed examples (Google Cloud pricing page accessed October 3, 2026). These figures alone do not show whether the API is cheaper than a VM: a fair comparison needs the same stream duration, input, output renditions, region, and destination. See the Live Stream API pricing page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube channel to loop uploaded videos without maintaining a VM, StreamNeo is a cloud service from Yorker Media: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It is for uploaded videos, not live camera feeds, and streams to YouTube.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Nothing has to stay powered on at home; the stream runs from the cloud.
- Any quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, one free day per account.
Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, and team support; plans have the same product and differ by duration. UPI and cards are supported in India; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support. Start the free first day on StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- 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.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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