For an FFmpeg server that continuously sends a prerecorded loop to YouTube, compare the exact region’s outbound-traffic allowance and total monthly cost first, then test whether the selected server can sustain your actual workload. Hetzner lists 20 TB of included traffic for EU CX, CPX, and CAX Cloud Servers, while its US and Singapore allowances vary by plan. Vultr documents a 2 TB monthly free bandwidth allocation per account, plus bandwidth accrued by instances hourly. These are not directly comparable provider-wide allowances: region, plan, billing, IP costs, and bitrate all matter.
If you want the loop to run without managing a VPS, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud option: upload a video or playlist, add your stream key, and go live. It runs the loop in the cloud, with any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot and a free first day.
What matters most in this comparison
A 24/7 stream is mainly an outbound-transfer problem if the server simply relays already-encoded video. The encoded bitrate and time online determine how much data the server sends to YouTube. Compute requirements change substantially if FFmpeg also transcodes, scales, or generates video.
Provider documentation does not establish a matched-plan price comparison or comparable FFmpeg benchmark. Treat the traffic figures below as documented provider terms, not guarantees that every current plan or region is identical. Hetzner’s traffic table was last changed in 2024, its Cloud overview in 2022, and Vultr’s cited billing pages were updated in December 2025. Check current plan-specific terms before choosing.
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Vultr vs Hetzner: traffic, billing, and location
| Factor | Vultr Cloud Compute | Hetzner Cloud | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included transfer | Vultr documents 2 TB of free bandwidth per account each month, plus instance bandwidth allocated hourly. | Hetzner’s traffic table lists 20 TB for EU CX, CPX, and CAX Cloud Servers. US and Singapore amounts vary by plan. | Compare the allowance on the exact product and location, not a provider-wide headline. |
| Traffic counted | The cited policy counts outbound transfers; inbound traffic is not metered. | Hetzner’s Cloud FAQ says outgoing traffic is billed and incoming and internal traffic are free. | For a one-way encoder feed to YouTube, outbound traffic is the key direction. |
| Overage | Vultr documents $0.01 per GB beyond the currently allocated quota. | Hetzner’s traffic page gives product-specific allowances. Its cited Cloud FAQ describes over-usage billing in 100 MB blocks; confirm current product terms and prices. | Estimate expected monthly usage and price any excess under current terms. |
| Billing while running or stopped | Bandwidth accrues hourly; regional pricing can vary. | Cloud servers have hourly rates subject to monthly caps. Hetzner says an existing server continues to incur charges when switched off. | Include the server’s full expected lifetime and deletion behavior in your budget. |
| Public IP and location | Some rates may vary by data-center location. | Locations include Europe, the US, and Singapore. Hetzner’s overview says public IPs are not included in server prices and identifies an additional IPv4 charge. | Check live location-specific pricing and IP charges, as well as distance from your source and chosen YouTube ingest region. |
| FFmpeg performance and availability | No directly comparable FFmpeg benchmark was established. | No directly comparable FFmpeg benchmark was established. Hetzner’s Cloud SLA describes commercially reasonable efforts toward 99.9% monthly availability, subject to exclusions. | Do not infer encoding capacity or uninterrupted streaming from a plan name or SLA figure; test and monitor your own setup. |
Estimate bandwidth for a 24/7 loop
Use the stream’s actual configured bitrate, rather than the source file’s size, to estimate the feed sent to YouTube. A continuous stream at a fixed bitrate transfers roughly:
Monthly GB ≈ bitrate in Mbps × 10.8 × hours streamed per day × days in the month
At 24 hours per day for a 30-day month, that is approximately 7,776 GB per month for each 1 Mbps of continuous bitrate, before protocol overhead and any other outbound traffic. For example, a 14 Mbps feed is approximately 108,864 GB over 30 days using this estimate. Actual provider metering and decimal/binary unit conventions can affect the billed total, so use the provider’s current calculator or billing definitions for a final estimate.
- Use the bitrate configured for the outgoing stream, not the size of a local archive or playlist.
- Count every simultaneous feed. A backup stream running at the same time adds its own outbound traffic.
- If FFmpeg transcodes, estimate from its output bitrate; the input bitrate does not determine what YouTube receives.
- Compare the result with the selected plan’s allowance and overage terms. A large included allowance does not by itself make a plan cheapest if server, IP, or other selected service charges differ.
Choose server capacity for the actual FFmpeg job
A loop that reads a file and copies its encoded audio and video into an RTMP or RTMPS output is not the same workload as transcoding. Copying avoids the main video-encoding work, while transcoding or generating video uses more CPU or other compute resources. The available evidence does not establish a winner between Vultr and Hetzner for either workload.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Decide whether FFmpeg will copy the existing streams or encode a new output. If you will encode, specify codec, resolution, frame rate, and target bitrate.
- Test on the exact candidate plan and region using the intended files and settings. Check for sustained CPU pressure, missed frames, and output interruptions over a representative period.
- Test the failure and recovery path as well as normal playback. A successful short test does not demonstrate that a continuous stream will recover from every server, network, or YouTube interruption.
Set up YouTube Live correctly
Confirm the channel can go live
YouTube requires a verified channel without live-stream restrictions in the prior 90 days. Enabling a first live stream can take up to 24 hours. Check eligibility before planning a launch.
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Match the encoder settings to the output
YouTube supports RTMP/RTMPS ingestion and lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video. It recommends RTMPS, a constant bitrate, and a two-second keyframe interval (not over four seconds). Use YouTube’s current encoder table for the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate. As examples from that table, recommended H.264 rates are 14 Mbps for 1080p30 and 8 Mbps for 720p30; those examples are not universal settings for other formats.
YouTube also advises leaving upload headroom: its guidance recommends 20% beyond the total streaming bitrate. That applies to the server’s available outbound capacity, not just the home connection used to upload source files. Use the provider’s current traffic metering rules when estimating the monthly transfer separately from instantaneous bandwidth capacity.
Connect the server and verify the live feed
- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the stream and copy the stream key. Treat the key like a password; do not publish it or place it in a public script or log.
- Configure FFmpeg to send the selected output to YouTube’s ingest server using the key and RTMPS where supported by your setup. Keep credentials private and restrict access to the server and configuration.
- Start with a private or unlisted test as appropriate. Check the preview in Live Control Room before making the stream public.
- Monitor audio and video continuously, including after changing files, encoder settings, or network configuration. YouTube recommends testing, previewing, and ongoing monitoring.
Copyright, looping, and monetization
YouTube’s encoder setup guidance includes an example cloud tool for 24/7 live streaming of prerecorded videos. That example is not blanket approval for every loop or content choice, and it does not guarantee that a stream stays live or qualifies for monetization. Make sure you have the rights needed for every video and audio track, and follow YouTube’s policies. Repeating content does not by itself establish that a channel is eligible for monetization.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a practical preflight, use the copyright safety checklist to review the rights and policy questions before scheduling a loop.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cost and reliability: make the decision on current terms
Vultr’s documented bandwidth overage is $0.01 per GB beyond the currently allocated quota. For Hetzner, allowances depend on the product and location, and the cited FAQ’s over-usage description should be checked against current product terms. Current matched-plan server prices, exact availability at a preferred location, and public-IP charges are not established here; use each provider’s live pricing and terms for a like-for-like total.
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Hetzner’s 99.9% monthly availability figure is framed as commercially reasonable efforts and includes exclusions. It is not a promise that a particular FFmpeg stream will be uninterrupted. Neither provider’s plan label substitutes for testing the actual stream workload, network path, and recovery behavior.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a YouTube loop without maintaining your own FFmpeg VPS, StreamNeo’s workflow is three steps:
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the video from the cloud.
Your computer and home connection do not need to stay on. Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot regardless of quality; automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded video and YouTube streaming, not camera-based live capture. Start the free first day on StreamNeo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can FFmpeg run on a VPS?
Yes. The VPS must have enough capacity and outbound network bandwidth for the specific FFmpeg job and stream settings; test the exact workload on the plan you intend to use.
Which VPS is cheapest for streaming to YouTube?
The evidence here does not establish a current matched-plan price winner. Compare the server, region, outbound allowance, overage, and IP charges for the precise plans you would use.
Quick Recap
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.
