Swarmcast: Decentralized Livestreaming for Everyone

Swarmcast is a revolutionary peer-to-peer (P2P) livestreaming protocol that empowers users to create live audio and video broadcasts with just consumer hardware, at minimal cost, and without any logins or subscriptions.

Key Features

• One-click livestreaming
• No sign-ups or permissions required
• Fully decentralized
• Comparable functionality to X Spaces, Clubhouse rooms, and Twitch/YouTube livestreams
• Open-source protocol

How It Works

Swarmcast creates a branching network from a source broadcast:

1. The host streams content to a few initial peers
2. These peers pass the content to more peers
3. The process repeats, forming a “swarm” of connected users

This recursive network structure allows for decent scaling without relying on centralized servers or expensive infrastructure.

Current Status

• Beta release
• Performant for streams with 3-4 downstream peers (around 50 audience members)
• Ongoing development to identify and resolve issues at larger scales

The Vision Behind Swarmcast

Inspired by the success of Saito Talk, our P2P video calling module, we adapted its technology to create a massively scalable livestreaming solution. Swarmcast aims to democratize access to high-quality livestreaming capabilities previously limited by centralization and hardware requirements.

Next Steps

1. Refine user experience based on feedback
2. Scale to support thousands of viewers per stream
3. Host public Saito Team discussions using Swarmcast
4. Encourage third-party developers to build on the protocol

Get Involved

• Try Swarmcast now: Start a livestream, host a talk show, or create a P2P radio station
• Developers: Build your own applications using the open-source protocol
• Attend public events hosted on Swarmcast
• Provide feedback on performance, UI/UX, and overall experience

Join us in shaping the future of decentralized livestreaming. Swarmcast puts the power of broadcast in your hands – use it wisely!