SHOUTcast vs Icecast Radio Streams

Learn the differences between the two of the most popular radio streaming services.

SHOUTcast

  • 1. SHOUTcast is owned by AOL

  • 2. SHOUTcast.Com Directory

  • 3. Mp3, AAC, AAC+ and NSV Formats

  • 4. SHOUTcast server can only handle 1 feed at a time

  • 5. You can either stream live or with auto dj - 1 at a time

  • 6. You can't edit the SHOUTcast DNAS Page when you visit ip:port

  • 7. Easy to setup - For Beginners and more

Icecast

  • 1.Icecast is free open source script owned by the public

  • 2. dir.xiph.org IceCast Directory

  • 3.Mp3, AAC, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Theora and NSV formats

  • 4.IceCast you can stream up to 3 different feeds on the same port

  • 5.You can stream live and the keep autodj active at the same time

  • 6.You can edit the IceCast page when you visit ip:port

  • 7.Advanced setup - For Advanced users

SHOUTcast Benefits:

  • Your station is listed on the official website and are syndicated out many other radio directories.
    This provides the user with excellent exposure and will likely lead to a greater audience then you would on an IceCast server.
    Another advantage is that it is compatible with many web flash players, and it has a very simple stream to set up.

    • SHOUTcast Downsides:

  • If you intend to use the Auto Dj feature with your radio server, you will have to click on the "deactivate source" button when you are ready to go live.
    And immediately after hit the "activate source" button when you have finished streaming live and are ready to go back to the Auto DJ mode.
    One of the other con's is that you can only stream one feed at a time and you can't edit the SHOUTcast DNAS Page.

    • IceCast Benefits:

  • Icecast will automatically transfer listeners from Auto DJ to the live stream and back without needing to manually turn anything on and off.
    This means that when you connect all of your listeners, they are transferred from the autodj to the live stream and back when you are finished.
    Another advantage that icecast has is the ability to stream up to 3 different feeds on the same port.
    You can have a 128 kbps mp3 stream, 64 kbps aac stream and a 32 kbps mp3 stream all at the same time off the same server.(single feed when streaming with the autodj).
    You can also edit the IceCast page.

    • IceCast Downsides:

  • Icecast are listed here instead of shoutcast.com and will get a lot less listeners.
    Also icecast has fewer web flash players compatible with it.

    • Conclusion



    The SHOUTcast service is recommended for the beginners because it has a simpler setup and you will get listed on SHOUTcast.com this brings more listeners to the station.
    If you have already listeners tuning in, IceCast is recommended because it is more versatile then SHOUTcast.
    If you are planing on running an Auto DJ and doing live streams then the ability to auto-transfer listeners will be very useful and worth considering an Icecast server.
    If you only plan on using one or the other, live streaming or Auto DJ, then the extra listeners you get from shoutcast.com it would be worth using a shoutcast server.
    Click Here for SHOUTcast Hosting Packages
    Click Here for IceCast Hosting Packages