What Belabox is
Belabox is a DIY approach to IRL streaming. A typical build pairs a single-board computer such as a Raspberry Pi with USB LTE modems and software that bonds several cellular connections over the SRTLA protocol. It is open, capable, and genuinely well engineered.
The wider ecosystem includes:
- Belabox hardware: pre-built encoder units, frequently out of stock
- Belabox Cloud: SRTLA relay servers that receive the bonded stream
- DIY builds: community guides for assembling your own
It is popular with technically minded streamers for good reason. The trade-off is that you are the integrator, the support desk and the maintenance schedule. If you enjoy that, it is a strength. If you want to go outside and stream, it is work.
Setup, step by step
Belabox DIY build
IRL Bonded
That is not a fair fight on effort, and it is not meant to be — the two products are aimed at different appetites. The honest framing is that Belabox trades your time for control, and IRL Bonded trades control for your time.
Feature comparison
| Feature | IRL Bonded | Belabox |
|---|---|---|
| SRTLA bonding | ✓ Built in | ✓ Core feature |
| Cloud relay servers | ✓ Included | Belabox Cloud, extra |
| Hardware required | ✓ Phones you already own | ✕ Pi plus modems |
| Setup time | ✓ Minutes | Hours to days |
| Technical knowledge | ✓ None required | Linux and networking |
| HEVC encoding | ✓ Hardware accelerated | Depends on encoder |
| Drop protection | ✓ Automatic | Manual OBS setup |
| Multistreaming | ✓ Built in | Via OBS plugins |
| Maintenance | ✓ Automatic updates | You maintain it |
| Customisation | Fixed pipeline | ✓ Full control |
Which one fits you
Belabox is the better choice if
- You enjoy building and maintaining hardware projects
- You want control over every component in the chain
- You already own LTE modems and SIM cards
- You would rather self-host your whole infrastructure
- You want open software you can read and modify
IRL Bonded is the better choice if
- You want to stream this week rather than build for a fortnight
- You would rather carry phones than a Pi and a modem cluster
- You do not want to maintain Linux systems and networking config
- You want updates and fixes handled for you
- You value portability over customisation
If you are weighing the self-hosted route more broadly, our self-hosted server guide covers what running your own relay involves.
Common questions
Is there a Belabox alternative that does not require hardware?
Yes. IRL Bonded provides SRTLA bonding, cloud relays and multi-connection streaming from a phone, with no single-board computer, USB modems or custom build required.
How does IRL Bonded compare to Belabox Cloud?
Both offer SRTLA relay services. Belabox Cloud expects a separate encoder, either their hardware or a compatible app. IRL Bonded includes the app, encoding, bonding and cloud servers together.
Can I use SRTLA on iPhone without Belabox?
Yes. IRL Bonded speaks SRTLA natively on iOS. You can bond several iPhones and send the stream through hosted servers or self-host on your own hardware. Our protocol comparison explains what SRTLA is doing underneath.
Is Belabox cheaper than IRL Bonded?
A DIY Belabox build typically runs $300–$500 or more in parts, plus relay hosting. IRL Bonded starts at $15 per month with no hardware outlay, so total cost of ownership is usually lower — unless you already own the parts, in which case Belabox is hard to beat on price.
Skip the build
Get $200 in free streaming credit. Bonding in minutes, without flashing an SD card.