A StreamArchive Alternative for Authorized VOD Storage
StreamArchive Alternative: Durable Hosting for VODs You Own, Not a Recorder
StreamArchive-style tools record and download live streams. files.link is the durable hosting layer for VOD and stream archives you already own — permanent CDN replay URLs and prepaid pricing, no recording or scraping.
StreamArchive alternative for hosting
If you searched for a StreamArchive alternative, first be clear about which half of the job you need. StreamArchive.io and recorder-style tools such as LiveVODs or Overpowered exist to do one thing: automatically record and download a live stream the moment a creator goes live — StreamArchive.io's own homepage bills it as "Record & Download Live Streams." That capture step is a different shape from long-term hosting. files.link does not record, capture, download, or scrape anything from Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, or any other platform on your behalf.
It is the durable hosting layer for the second half of the job: once you already hold a recording you own or are authorized to keep, files.link turns each VOD file into a permanent URL delivered from a global CDN. So this is a stream archive alternative in the honest sense — not a swap for the recorder, but the place your finished archives live.
That makes files.link a fit for VOD archive storage and stream archive hosting rather than recording. The upload path is a scriptable three-call REST flow: POST /v1/files/{folderId} returns a presigned URL and id, you PUT the recording bytes straight to storage, then POST /v1/files/confirm-upload with {ids:[...]}. Auth is your raw API key, so a post-stream hook can archive every recording the moment your own capture or export finishes — record with the tool you are authorized to use, then hand the finished file to files.link for a stable replay home.
Billing is prepaid credits that debit daily against actual storage and delivery — there is no per-minute video meter and no ad-supported free tier. Keep this week's busy replays on the standard tier, then move rarely-watched back catalog to the cold storage tier (note its minimum retention) as the archive grows. Estimate the bill before you start with the stream archive cost calculator.
We do not claim to be cheaper than every recorder or platform for every workload — run your own numbers first.
Be honest about what files.link is not: it is not a live recorder, encoder, transcoder, or adaptive player, and it will never pull a stream from a third-party platform. If you need automatic capture, that is the recorder's job; if you need HLS/DASH quality switching, transcode with a tool like ffmpeg first and upload the resulting playlist and segments as ordinary files.
What files.link adds is the durable side StreamArchive-style tools do not: a permanent CDN replay URL you control, direct download of the original file, optional private signed URLs for gated or paid replays, and a cold tier for the long tail. If you specifically want the retention angle, see live stream archive, VOD archive storage, stream archive hosting, and private video archive — the streamarchive and stream-archive shortcuts land on the same workflow.
A compliance note that matters here: files.link is neutral storage for recordings you own or are explicitly authorized to archive and share — your own streams, your team's events, talks and clips you hold the rights to. It never records, downloads, or scrapes video from StreamArchive.io, Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, or any other platform on your behalf; you capture or export the finished file yourself and are responsible for the rights to it. files.link is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to StreamArchive.io, LiveVODs, or Overpowered — those names are trademarks of their respective owners, referenced here only to describe the difference between an automatic recorder and durable archive hosting.
Record elsewhere, host here
StreamArchive Alternative Workflow: Recorder → files.link → Replay
This is the compliance-safe workflow for people comparing StreamArchive.io, LiveVODs, or Overpowered and wondering where the recordings should live. files.link does not record or download anything from any platform — you capture or export the file with a tool you are authorized to use, then follow the steps below to turn that owned VOD into durable stream archive hosting with stable replay and download links. Estimate the bill first with the cost calculator; for the at-rest framing, see VOD archive storage.
Record or export with a tool you're authorized to use
Use the recorder or platform export you are entitled to — your own StreamArchive.io capture of your own stream, an OBS or local recording, or a platform VOD you own. files.link never performs this capture step; the file starts on your machine or your server.
Upload it to files.link
Drag the file into the dashboard, or script the upload: POST /v1/files/{folderId} for a presigned URL and id, PUT the bytes straight to storage, then POST /v1/files/confirm-upload with {ids:[...]}. Auth is your raw API key, so a post-capture hook can archive every recording automatically.
Set retention and access policy
Keep this week's busy replays on the standard tier and move rarely-watched back catalog to the cold storage tier (note its minimum retention). Store members-only or paid recordings as private files served through short-lived signed URLs your backend mints per viewer.
Share stable replay links and monitor usage
Every uploaded VOD gets a permanent replay and download URL you can embed or share — no per-minute meter. Watch storage and bandwidth in the dashboard and top up prepaid credits as your archive grows.
Source-file preparation checklist
- Confirm you own or have explicit rights and consent to archive the recording — see the rights note below.
- Name files predictably — include the date and title, e.g. 2026-07-02-town-hall.mp4 — so links stay self-describing.
- Confirm the container and codec (MP4 with H.264 is the safest default for broad playback); transcode with ffmpeg first if needed.
- For adaptive quality, build an HLS or DASH package first and upload the playlist plus segments as ordinary files.
- Estimate size and cost up front with the cost calculator, and pick standard vs. cold storage by how often it will be watched.
- Decide retention and whether the replay is public or private (signed URLs) before you share the link.
You must own or be authorized to archive the recording
files.link is neutral storage for authorized recordings — your own broadcasts, your organization's events, and talks or clips you hold the rights to. Do not upload or rehost other broadcasters' streams, feeds you accessed without permission, or content that bypasses a platform's access controls. This workflow does not record or download from third-party platforms and does not replace DMCA or other legal compliance; you are responsible for the rights to whatever you upload.
Benefits With No Complexity
Global CDN delivery
Edge-cached worldwide
Signed-URL security
What You Get
Unlimited files
Unlimited storage
Public + Private storage
CDN ready links
Prepaid credits
More coming soon
How files.link Works
1. Upload
2. Copy
3. Use Anywhere
Why Developers Choose files.link
A Better Way to Store & Deliver Files
| StreamArchive-style recorders | files.link | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic cloud recording when a creator goes live | ||
| Captures / downloads the stream for you | ||
| Durable hosting for VOD files you already own | ||
| Permanent CDN replay URL you control | ||
| Direct download of the original file | ||
| Private signed URLs for gated / paid replays | ||
| Cold storage tier for long-tail archives | ||
| Prepaid usage billing (no per-minute meter) |
Calculate Your Needs
Storage
Egress
CDN Bandwidth
Store VODs You're Authorized to Keep
- Global CDN delivery
- Edge-cached worldwide
- Signed-URL security
- Unlimited files
- Unlimited storage
- Public + Private storage
- No subscription — prepaid credits keep spend predictable