# TikRec > TikRec is a TikTok live stream recording service, updated for 2026. It monitors TikTok creators 24/7 and automatically records their live streams, delivering full MP4 files to users via Telegram. The Free tier (no card needed) covers 2 watched creators on new accounts; accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep their original 5-creator quota. Paid tiers from $2.99/mo lift the watchlist to 25 or 100 creators. Past recordings from the public archive are free to access on every tier. Public archive: 98,800+ recordings across 17,200+ creators. ## What TikRec does - Users add TikTok creator usernames to a watchlist via the Telegram bot @tikrec_live_bot - TikRec polls TikTok every 60 seconds and starts recording the moment a watched creator goes live - The finished MP4 is delivered directly to the user's Telegram chat as an album with a thumbnail contact sheet - Recordings are at original stream quality with no watermarks or compression - Past recordings from other users' watchlists are free to open via the website (one click on Telegram → bot forwards the original album, video + thumbnail, in a single message) ## Key facts (May 2026) - Website: https://tikrec.com - Telegram bot: https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot - Open source recorder (CLI): https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder (MIT license) - 98,800+ recordings indexed in the public archive - 17,200+ unique TikTok creators tracked - Free tier needs no card; paid tiers via @tribute (Telegram-native, any country) - Past archive lookups are free for every tier including Free - Built with Python (Telethon, FFmpeg), Next.js 16, PostgreSQL - Recording engine: FFmpeg with -fflags +discardcorrupt for live stream resilience, automatic chunking at 12h / 10GB to keep long lives recoverable - Detection latency: typically under 60 seconds from stream start (watchlist polls every 60s) ## Use cases - Language learners archiving live tutorials and lessons that won't be replayed by the creator - Fans saving favorite creator streams (concerts, Q&As, gaming, ASMR) for offline rewatch - Journalists and researchers archiving newsworthy public lives before they disappear - Live shopping watchers reviewing seller pitches, product demos, and competitor pricing - Creators backing up their own past lives without depending on TikTok's optional replay - Fan communities pooling watchlists so any group member can capture a creator's live - Bot integrators pulling MP4s into Telegram channels for downstream sharing or analysis ## How TikRec compares - vs OBS / screen recording: TikRec records source quality (not screen pixels), runs in cloud (no PC needed), automatic (not manual) - vs phone screen recording: TikRec captures clean MP4 (no UI overlays, gifts, chat), full duration (no app-switching cuts) - vs other "TikTok live downloader" websites: most don't work for live streams, only for posted videos. TikRec works for active lives. - vs the open-source CLI (tiktok-live-recorder): same engine, but TikRec runs it in the cloud so users don't keep a computer running - vs GREC (cloud recorder, $4.99/week ≈ $21.66/mo): TikRec Pro is $4.99/mo, ~4.3x cheaper, Telegram-native, and exposes a public archive at /creators and /missed - vs LiveRec (iOS/Android, $12.99/month entry, 25-75 watched creators): TikRec Basic is $2.99/mo for the same 25 creators, ~4.3x cheaper - vs StreamRecorder.io (multi-platform, free 720p / 3 streamers / 5-day retention): TikRec Free covers 2 creators with no retention cap and source quality on every tier - vs Olived (closed-source desktop, $9.99/mo or $199 lifetime): TikRec Pro at $4.99/mo runs in the cloud — Olived's $199 lifetime ≈ 40 months of TikRec Pro - vs Rewatch Live (iOS/Android, ~$8.99 entry): TikRec Pro at $4.99/mo is far below; TikRec adds shared archive - vs Arkaiva (Telegram bot, opaque premium): TikRec publishes prices, exposes free shared archive across users, source quality on every tier - vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot (Telegram bot, no public docs): TikRec publishes prices, watchlist limits, MP4 specs, and a verifiable safety story ## Pricing Three tiers, all share the same recording engine and delivery quality. The Free tier needs no card. - Free: $0/mo. Auto-record 2 creators on the watchlist (if both go live at once they record simultaneously - no separate cap). 1 manual `/rec` recording at a time. Past archive: unlimited free deliveries. Accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep their original 5-creator / 3-manual quota. - Basic: $2.99/mo or $35.88/yr. Auto-record 25 creators. 10 manual recordings at the same time. Cancel anytime via @tribute. - Pro: $4.99/mo or $59.88/yr. Auto-record 100 creators. 25 manual recordings at the same time. - All limits are simultaneous caps, not daily or monthly quotas. Capacity frees the moment a recording ends. - Past archive: free for every tier, including Free. Anyone can open any past recording on the website and the bot forwards the MP4 album (video + thumbnail) to their Telegram chat. - Payment for paid tiers: card via @tribute (Telegram-native subscription bot, any bank, any country, 10% commission absorbed by Tribute). Crypto via @CryptoBot is server-configured but not exposed at V1. - No ads. No expiring recordings. No watermarks on any tier. Same MP4 quality everywhere. ## Recording specifications - Resolution: source quality (typically 540p or 720p as broadcast by TikTok) - Frame rate: source rate (24-30 fps) - Bitrate: source (1.5-3 Mbps for 720p) - Codec: H.264 baseline (as broadcast by TikTok), remuxed to MP4 - Audio: AAC 64-96 kbps (source) - Format: MP4 (universal compatibility) delivered as a Telegram album with a thumbnail preview - Files over 2 GB are split into parts due to Telegram limits - Long lives are automatically chunked every 12 hours or 10 GB, whichever comes first ## Frequently asked questions ### What is TikRec? TikRec is a TikTok live recording service. It monitors creators around the clock and records their lives automatically, sending the MP4 to your Telegram. ### How much does TikRec cost? There is a free tier (2 watched creators on new accounts, 5 for accounts created before 2026-05-21, no card needed) and two paid tiers: Basic $2.99/mo (25 creators) and Pro $4.99/mo (100 creators). Past recordings from the public archive are free on every tier. Same MP4 quality across all plans. ### Does TikRec require an account? Only a Telegram account. No email, password, or sign-up form. ### Can TikRec record any TikTok creator? Yes, any public TikTok creator. Private accounts and paid lives are not supported. ### Does TikTok notify creators when TikRec records them? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator. ### How does TikRec detect when a creator goes live? TikRec polls TikTok's public API every 60 seconds for all creators on user watchlists. Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. ### Where are the recordings stored? On Telegram. Telegram has no expiration and no storage limit. Once delivered, the MP4 stays in your chat forever. ### Can I record multiple lives at once? Yes. If three watched creators go live simultaneously, you receive three separate recordings. ### What is the recording quality? Source quality. TikTok lives broadcast at 540p or 720p. TikRec captures that exactly, no re-encoding, no quality loss. ### How long can a recording be? Each chunk is capped at 12 hours or 10 GB; if the live keeps going, TikRec automatically continues with a new chunk and seamlessly resumes recording. ### Are there watermarks? No watermarks, no overlays, no chat. Clean MP4. ### Is recording a TikTok live legal? For personal use, yes, in most jurisdictions. Redistributing publicly without permission is copyright infringement. ### Can I watch a TikTok live after it ended? Yes, if it was recorded. TikRec exposes a `/missed/[username]` page for every creator with at least one saved live. Open the page, tap any past recording, and the bot forwards the original MP4 + thumbnail album to your Telegram chat for free. ### How do I get notified the next time a creator goes live? Send `/watch [username]` to @tikrec_live_bot on Telegram. The creator goes on your watchlist and the next live is recorded automatically. ### Can I record TikTok lives with a CLI? Yes. The open-source Python CLI is at https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder (MIT license). TikRec is the hosted cloud variant. ## Structured facts (machine-readable) - service_url: https://tikrec.com - service_email: support@tikrec.com - bot_username: @tikrec_live_bot - bot_url: https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot - github_cli: https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder - license_cli: MIT - free_tier_watchlist: 2 - free_tier_manual_rec_at_once: 1 - free_tier_price_usd_monthly: 0 - basic_tier_watchlist: 25 - basic_tier_manual_rec_at_once: 10 - basic_tier_price_usd_monthly: 2.99 - basic_tier_price_usd_yearly: 35.88 - pro_tier_watchlist: 100 - pro_tier_manual_rec_at_once: 25 - pro_tier_price_usd_monthly: 4.99 - pro_tier_price_usd_yearly: 59.88 - archive_access_cost_usd: 0 (all tiers, no limit) - limits_are_simultaneous_not_periodic: true - payment_provider_fiat: tribute (https://t.me/tribute) - file_format: MP4 album with thumbnail - storage_location: Telegram (user's private chat) - storage_retention: indefinite (Telegram retention policy) - detection_latency_seconds: 60 - chunk_max_seconds: 43200 - chunk_max_bytes: 10737418240 - last_updated: 2026-05-22 - recordings_indexed: 98814 - creators_indexed: 17203 ## Top creators (by recording count) 1. @flowersuppliersg - 427 recordings · 176h 45m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/flowersuppliersg 2. @nemooutofstorage0 - 414 recordings · 266h 40m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/nemooutofstorage0 3. @tsoooooooonami - 363 recordings · 72h 32m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/tsoooooooonami 4. @flowershopsg - 296 recordings · 129h 29m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/flowershopsg 5. @sandyyyallamm - 228 recordings · 89h 27m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/sandyyyallamm 6. @paisitocomesito - 198 recordings · 18h 38m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/paisitocomesito 7. @nhimnhim610 - 194 recordings · 55h 17m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/nhimnhim610 8. @kimanhne004 - 193 recordings · 13h 39m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/kimanhne004 9. @niahgrrr_on_ig - 189 recordings · 40h 20m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/niahgrrr_on_ig 10. @american.gianna - 184 recordings · 26h 11m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/american.gianna 11. @alyena080 - 184 recordings · 70h 11m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/alyena080 12. @x.iecy_ - 176 recordings · 27h 5m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/x.iecy_ 13. @myzrin0 - 163 recordings · 14h 36m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/myzrin0 14. @embetina99 - 158 recordings · 100h 57m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/embetina99 15. @shestruu - 158 recordings · 70h 33m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/shestruu 16. @nia83370 - 156 recordings · 66h 15m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/nia83370 17. @therealkatherinrojas - 152 recordings · 82h 51m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/therealkatherinrojas 18. @rubyyy1229 - 150 recordings · 31h 28m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/rubyyy1229 19. @visneli.biber - 146 recordings · 47h 12m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/visneli.biber 20. @lilmamaspeaks6 - 143 recordings · 44h 2m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/lilmamaspeaks6 21. @salma.anwar80 - 141 recordings · 93h 40m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/salma.anwar80 22. @tamara25251 - 141 recordings · 25h 47m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/tamara25251 23. @isabelmontenegro.live - 139 recordings · 63h 26m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/isabelmontenegro.live 24. @bellaadeeb - 139 recordings · 68h 19m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/bellaadeeb 25. @jasminescraft.id - 138 recordings · 96h 7m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/jasminescraft.id 26. @cintabrown - 138 recordings · 79h 57m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/cintabrown 27. @armyanka__oo1 - 132 recordings · 40h 37m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/armyanka__oo1 28. @fufu181818 - 127 recordings · 38h 45m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/fufu181818 29. @melissword - 127 recordings · 43h 31m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/melissword 30. @tiredoftiktok7 - 127 recordings · 20h 57m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/tiredoftiktok7 31. @lavidaconcelestee - 124 recordings · 35h 42m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/lavidaconcelestee 32. @sadecekubra58 - 124 recordings · 46h 52m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/sadecekubra58 33. @blisshouseyoga - 124 recordings · 34h 55m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/blisshouseyoga 34. @nur.fitriyana78 - 123 recordings · 33h 49m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/nur.fitriyana78 35. @rosita.ros437 - 123 recordings · 44h 20m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/rosita.ros437 36. @mikaelaf2013 - 119 recordings · 22h 33m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/mikaelaf2013 37. @tylernoliar - 115 recordings · 43h 42m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/tylernoliar 38. @tyyyyywwww - 114 recordings · 70h 0m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/tyyyyywwww 39. @javierliz739 - 114 recordings · 5h 49m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/javierliz739 40. @jfire_2 - 113 recordings · 79h 54m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/jfire_2 41. @elly_sw1 - 112 recordings · 57h 32m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/elly_sw1 42. @daissy173 - 112 recordings · 33h 55m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/daissy173 43. @sousoumaroc17 - 110 recordings · 47h 52m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/sousoumaroc17 44. @eanidvans - 110 recordings · 35h 42m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/eanidvans 45. @irinaareed01 - 109 recordings · 26h 31m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/irinaareed01 46. @secc.diana05 - 106 recordings · 13h 43m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/secc.diana05 47. @moana_santos00 - 105 recordings · 31h 10m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/moana_santos00 48. @avaawillson - 104 recordings · 24h 0m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/avaawillson 49. @juliee_yace3 - 104 recordings · 35h 41m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/juliee_yace3 50. @kw9f - 103 recordings · 32h 6m total live time · https://tikrec.com/creators/kw9f ## Recent recordings (most recent first) - @_jojo_et_mamounette_ - Bienvenue dans mon LIVE · 4m 20s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzre38h7lru8d2zyppji2366 - @_zeer.0_ · 1m 14s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzre35rwtd7rco7n65hwgt4s - @.nikol817 · 20s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrezcrocjrlxbm97129ctiz - @terserahrachel · 2m 38s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrey74lxvjl8gczvaq4jfg5 - @peanutbutterlovr3 - lol yo · 8m 30s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrew0lrx3mkrgnvx3ym2xjc - @valentinahermosa1508070 · 1m 31s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzreww125oe94qfbitjm5iah - @janeleolivia · 8m 47s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrepe4sucdidhs3ujozwcxi - @elycastil0 - 💎 · 3m 16s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrepeqppyp8q70xmn9971jo - @kouromars - Assistance visas 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇫🇷 · 18m 41s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrengjmhtaj929gux983m4l - @zilan.ylmaz64 · 11m 9s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzreks0r99b4t0arh6zy4o8n - @ca_lluuz - Rumo ao 10k · 10m 44s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrekrkh60hluoiijwbg53ce - @mohammedabdulhamid6644 · 1m 31s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrekrj8hy2s37k1bxviir4s - @aanya.xs - airport grwm · 6m 41s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrekp9de0ybnjer7yuvvbai - @liaconno - Legs 🔜 strength Workout 💪🏻👸🏼 · 14m 13s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrekpk8mj58f1iz5uflwmbr - @cleide.tiktokshop - Elegância que veste o corpo · 5m 30s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrekj50o9gpfd3nz8cv58y1 - @caarmenn70 · 6m 37s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzref93oy1krwltft1a8ehzt - @roxyt034 · 8m 0s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzredb322z1phorwfomgxbme - @luksitsaiphorthanthitaml - 😇 Wesak Day Special Offer 😇 · 8m 32s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrec5bomjxt1fbn8ngiyzq5 - @jouli484 · 10m 37s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrec3ky63ob4ubzaaid0d6v - @flaviechl_ - concert madison beer · 9m 37s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrebblxuh9j4qyskxt1yddd - @mamibaggg - C/a : mamibaggyo · 17m 17s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd9t09p036qiwbh13rcurk - @lluayb__ - kondisi bundaran HIHIHI · 8m 46s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd71rvu0r78mfo88i7eiat - @secgiagiw - hai · 14m 10s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7qcb9wheiu368comkj8m - @silviaaltisent · 15m 56s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7pnhmrqd2gybbe7oga72 - @keeley586 · 35s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7m0nrypqvyog8wfzv4uu - @chaina3000 · 15m 16s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7mts50t2c8e1nfl8vyyk - @allprocorey3 - Error: 67 · 12m 42s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7mttnpy45r3ntkuzltsn - @irinaareed01 - lg:bonnieparkerss · 13m 25s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd7l0j7a2stfyppv4kqhzb - @viloavv - nightttt · 7m 6s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd22mp74fswwqqdg19bgyf - @sofi_cely · 17m 51s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd2wxbo57iy7eve6zv5ox7 - @yashilva - hy · 22m 2s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd2hkxj7nowd9ic13deo4o - @tatianamendoza99 - Cuenta nueva - Colombiana ❤️ · 17m 20s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd10jmhdx22j8h53a6hzic - @janeleolivia · 4m 33s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd10g3s23pqfdlni2jkz75 - @peanutbutterlovr3 - lol yo · 7m 56s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1yjnnv294gvzrgoi8qpb - @stephaniecooks1 - in the kitchen · 27m 55s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1x6zkaftdxir9lnstjqv - @isa._.bella2007 - chillen · 20m 5s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1x57t9t5hs4h1teums6x - @mariamcooks5 - Hello · 17m 12s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1xnmjjjqxi27d9j6oi3k - @liubov_.123 · 20m 13s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1xay0iw9rvbzpsed8x9a - @ezmel2807 - your invited · 1m 3s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1w3jztcwa8vrxzoqv320 - @kamiqkoo - Getting ready! :p · 25m 38s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd1mu42wwv0r4ee55tbcb7 - @xoxo.toriiiiiii - Lets chat you can questions 🥞 · 4m 43s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd010n3nh4c80nu2ps39g7 - @nais_lct · 12m 43s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrd0en9zxzet0cpfhukve6a - @lily689486 · 1m 39s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdz2ktcsqcu6braid90fey - @_allicebbraz - META:mini lion · 8m 44s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdzfslsxpml66iz5206bmr - @mina27b0 - ليه واقف برا تعال ♥️😂😂 · 5m 8s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdza8owcb5ncegaidfa8l5 - @brendacarvalhoaxe - Construyendo un armario sin sáb · 15m 0s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdx747qoch26st6cmm2wyk - @lovelymeksarrah - Hi · 10s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdu3pq2rt5r28juaamesty - @stassiehtx · 12m 4s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdu3h6u03v2kny6m4y0bd8 - @jzf046 - لنقاش بحترام · 17m 16s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdu1jg0v8crmvvip56s3vn - @pspspspspspspsmeow - mema · 17m 32s · 2026-05-22 · https://tikrec.com/live/cwzrdu1gw3kpvzrjhmj6lp629 ## Glossary **Live** — A real-time video broadcast on TikTok. Creators stream to viewers, who can join, comment, and send gifts. Lives have no fixed time limit. **Replay** — A recording of a finished live, made available by the creator after the broadcast ends. Optional and disabled by default. Most lives have no replay. **Room** — TikTok's internal name for a live session. Each new live generates a fresh room ID. Rooms cannot be joined after the live ends. **Room ID** — Numeric identifier for a specific live session. Used by recording tools to fetch the stream URL. Changes every time a creator starts a new live. **FYP** — For You Page. TikTok's algorithmic feed of short videos. Lives can appear at the top of the FYP if the algorithm promotes them. **Gift** — Virtual item viewers send to creators during a live. Costs Coins. Creators receive Diamonds in return, which can be cashed out. **Coin** — TikTok's virtual currency, purchased with real money. Spent on Gifts. 1 USD buys roughly 65-70 Coins. **Diamond** — Currency creators earn from Gifts. Two Diamonds equal one Coin in value. Creators withdraw earnings in Diamonds. **Top Gifter** — Highest-spending viewer in a live. Shown publicly on the leaderboard. Often gets pinned messages or shoutouts. **Mod** — Moderator. Trusted viewer with permission to mute or block users in a live. Appointed by the creator. **Battle** — TikTok LIVE Battle. Two creators face off in a live, viewers send gifts to vote. The creator with more gifts wins. Common monetization format. **Multi-guest** — TikTok feature allowing multiple creators in one live session. Viewers see a split-screen layout. **LIVE Studio** — TikTok's desktop streaming software. Lets creators broadcast from a PC instead of a phone. **LIVE Subscription** — Monthly subscription tier where viewers pay a creator directly for badges, emotes, and subscriber-only chat. Similar to Twitch Subs. **Boost** — Paid feature that pushes a live higher in the FYP for a limited window. **Watermark** — TikTok's overlay on downloaded videos. Lives recorded from the source via tools like TikRec arrive without watermarks. **Watchlist** — TikRec's list of TikTok creators you want to auto-record. Add a username and TikRec records every future live. **MP4** — Standard video file format. TikRec delivers all recordings as MP4. **FFmpeg** — Open-source command-line video tool. Used by recording software (including TikRec and the Live Recorder CLI) to capture and remux live streams. **FLV** — Flash Video format. TikTok's live streams use FLV at the source. Recorders convert FLV to MP4 for compatibility. **Source quality** — The original resolution and bitrate of a TikTok live, before any re-encoding. Cloud recording captures source quality. Screen recording does not. **Watchlist recording** — A recording made because a creator was on someone's watchlist. Free to that user and to anyone else via the public archive. **Past recording** — A recording from someone else's watchlist, made before you discovered the live. Free to open from the TikRec website and delivered to your Telegram chat as an album with thumbnail. Each tracked creator has a dedicated archive at tikrec.com/missed/[username]. **Auto-record** — TikRec mode where recordings start automatically when a watched creator goes live, with no manual intervention needed. **Subathon** — Stream format where viewer subscriptions or gifts extend the live. Subathons routinely run 24+ hours. ## Blog posts (full text) ### TikRec vs GREC for TikTok Live Recording URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-grec Published: 2026-04-27 · Updated: 2026-05-10 Category: Comparison TL;DR: GREC is stronger if you want a mobile app with private viewing and a broader multi-platform product. TikRec is better for a Telegram-based workflow: Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card, paid tiers ($2.99 or $4.99/mo) raise the watchlist to 25 or 100 - still cheaper than one week of GREC Premium ($4.99/wk = $21.66/mo). Past archive is free on every TikRec tier. If you're comparing TikRec vs GREC, the core question is not which one can record TikTok lives. Both can. The real question is: **what workflow do you want after the recording finishes?** - If you want a mobile app, creator search, and a larger app-style replay library, GREC is the more app-centric product. - If you want the simplest path from "follow creator" to "receive MP4 on Telegram", TikRec is the cleaner workflow. This comparison is based on the public product pages available on **April 27, 2026**. Pricing math: TikRec Pro at $4.99/mo costs the same as one week of GREC Premium ($4.99 weekly = ~$21.66/mo equivalent). Same cloud auto-record use case, 4.3x lower monthly cost. TikRec's past-archive lookups stay free; GREC charges $1.99-$9.99 per history-unlock pack on top of the subscription. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you already use Telegram heavily - you want future watchlist recordings delivered for free - you prefer paying for older recordings only when you actually want one - you want the lowest-friction setup possible Choose **GREC** if: - you want an iPhone/Android app-first experience - you care about private viewing language and app UX - you want a broader replay/discovery experience inside one app - you are comfortable with a premium subscription model ## What each product is optimized for ### TikRec TikRec is built around a Telegram bot workflow: 1. Add a creator with `/watch username` 2. Wait for the creator to go live 3. Receive the MP4 in Telegram The website works mainly as an SEO archive and funnel into the bot. Every recording, fresh or old, is delivered free. ### GREC GREC is built around an app workflow. As of April 27, 2026, its public product pages emphasize: - iOS and Android app usage - automatic cloud recording - "private viewing" - creator history and replay browsing - unlocks for older recordings ## Biggest difference: delivery model This is the most important difference and the one many comparisons miss. ### TikRec delivery TikRec delivers the recording to your Telegram chat as MP4. That means: - the file lands where you already talk - you can forward it instantly - you do not need a separate library app to retrieve it later - your watchlist workflow and your playback workflow happen in the same place ### GREC delivery GREC is centered around its own app experience. That makes sense if you want: - in-app browsing - app notifications - a dedicated recording library - a more traditional consumer app feel If you want "recording as message delivery", TikRec is more direct. If you want "recording as app content library", GREC is more aligned. ## Pricing model As of May 2026: - GREC's public comparison and TikTok pages describe a **free tier** and premium pricing from **$4.99/week** (≈$21.66/mo) - TikRec uses a tiered model: **Free** (2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), no card), **Basic $2.99/mo** (25), **Pro $4.99/mo** (100). Past archive lookups are free on every tier. That leads to two very different economics. ### TikRec pricing logic - Free tier covers small users without a card; paid tiers stay cheaper than one week of GREC Premium - the public archive (any past recording, by anyone) is free for every tier - card subscriptions via @tribute, cancel anytime ### GREC pricing logic - stronger fit for heavy replay users who want one app and one recurring product - cleaner if you prefer subscription over per-recording unlocks - broader if you also value the app ecosystem around the recording itself ## TikRec vs GREC feature comparison FeatureTikRecGREC Primary interfaceTelegram botMobile app Auto-record future livesYesYes Past recording archiveYes, via SEO archive + free bot deliveryYes, inside app/library flow Default deliveryMP4 sent to TelegramWatch/download through app flow Free watchlist recordingYesPublic pages emphasize free basic features, then premium Free past recordingsYesOlder-history unlocks plus premium plans Best fitTelegram-first usersApp-first users ## Where TikRec wins TikRec wins when the user wants less product and more outcome. That sounds backwards, but it matters. Many users do not want another app account, another library UI, another notification system, and another subscription decision. They want: - "add creator" - "get MP4" - "done" TikRec is stronger for that use case. It is also stronger if your main behavior is: - follow a small set of creators - receive future lives automatically - occasionally pay for a past live if you missed it ## Where GREC wins GREC wins when the user values the replay product as much as the recording itself. Its public positioning is stronger around: - private viewing - app discovery - broader replay history framing - a more polished native-app mental model If you want a more self-contained consumer app and you expect to spend a lot of time browsing and consuming inside that app, GREC is the better fit. ## Best choice for most TikRec-style users If your main goal is **"never miss this creator again"**, TikRec is usually the better choice. Why: - free watchlist recording is simpler than negotiating a subscription up front - Telegram delivery is faster and more practical than a separate replay inbox - the archive monetization only appears when you actually need a past live That is a sharper workflow for users with clear intent. ## Verdict **Choose TikRec** if you care most about: - simplicity - Telegram delivery - free future recordings - paying only when you want past recordings **Choose GREC** if you care most about: - a full mobile app - replay browsing inside the app - private-viewing messaging - a broader consumer app experience ## Start with the lower-friction option If you want to test the workflow with the least setup, start with TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Receive the next live as MP4 in Telegram For other direct comparisons, read [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder), [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived), [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive), [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva), [TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot](/blog/tikrec-vs-tiktoklivedownloaderbot), or [TikRec vs Apify](/blog/tikrec-vs-apify). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier auto-records up to 2 creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) raise how many creators you can track and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. None of these are daily or monthly quotas - they are at-once caps that reset every time a recording ends. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs Apify TikTok Live Recorder URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-apify Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: Apify's TikTok Live Recorder is a developer API priced per run, suitable for pipelines and custom integrations. TikRec is a consumer product with a Telegram bot and a public web archive: Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card, Basic $2.99/mo for 25, Pro $4.99/mo for 100. Choose Apify if you're integrating into other software; choose TikRec if you just want to watch lives. If you are comparing TikRec vs Apify's TikTok Live Recorder, the comparison is unusual because **the two products target completely different users**. This comparison uses public information available on **May 4, 2026**. Pricing math: 1 hour of Apify TikTok-Live recording (~$2.05 at $0.00057/sec) ≈ 40% of a month of TikRec Pro ($4.99/mo). Apify is built for developers piping data into pipelines; TikRec is built for consumers who want an MP4 in their Telegram chat. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you are a regular user who wants to watch and save TikTok lives - you want recordings delivered to Telegram - you want a free product with no API keys or billing - you want a public archive of past lives at `tikrec.com/creators` and `/missed` Choose **Apify** if: - you are a developer or company integrating TikTok live data into other software - you are comfortable with pay-per-use API billing - you want to script ingestion or run scheduled jobs from your own platform - you want raw recordings handled in your own pipeline ## What each product is ### TikRec TikRec is a **consumer product**: - Telegram bot at [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) - Add a creator with `/watch username` - Recordings delivered to your Telegram chat as MP4 albums when lives end - Public archive at `tikrec.com` indexed for search engines and AI engines There is no API key. There is no billing dashboard. There is no developer onboarding. You just open Telegram. ### Apify TikTok Live Recorder Apify's tool is an **Actor** on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com). Actors are scriptable jobs you trigger via API or schedule from the Apify console. The TikTok Live Recorder Actor is one of many community-built tools, hosted by Apify and billed per run. Pricing is itemized per resource: - per run start - per Actor compute usage - per second of monitoring metadata - per second of recorded video That granular model is great for predictable cost in a B2B pipeline, and confusing for a casual user. ## Audience This is the cleanest separation: - **TikRec**: TikTok fans, creator stalkers, K-pop archivists, language learners, sports/crypto/gambling viewers. People who want a video. - **Apify TikTok Live Recorder**: developers building scrapers, brand-monitoring services, MCNs tracking creators, researchers studying TikTok live ecosystem. ## Pricing - **TikRec**: Free tier (2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), no card) covers casual users. Basic $2.99/mo for 25 creators, Pro $4.99/mo for 100. Past archive lookups are free on every plan. Flat monthly cost, no per-recording charges. - **Apify**: pay-per-run, with line-item costs (run start, compute, metadata seconds, video seconds). The pricing scales with usage rather than offering a flat consumer plan. For a TikTok fan who wants to record one or two creators' lives, the Apify model is overkill - and a single Apify run typically costs more than a full month of TikRec Basic. For a software team running 100+ creators with custom downstream processing, the Apify model is more predictable than building from scratch. ## Delivery model ### TikRec Recordings are pushed to Telegram. The user does not poll, query, or fetch. The bot is the integration. ### Apify Apify Actors output to Apify storage. You then fetch the result via the platform's API or a webhook callback. From there, your own code handles uploading, transcoding, archiving, or serving to your users. If you have an existing pipeline, Apify slots in cleanly. If you don't, you'd need to build that pipeline yourself - which is most of the work. ## TikRec vs Apify comparison FeatureTikRecApify TikTok Live Recorder AudienceConsumerDeveloper / B2B Primary interfaceTelegram botApify console + API API accessNo (consumer product)Yes (REST + webhook) Pricing modelFree / $2.99 / $4.99 monthlyPay-per-run (granular) Default deliveryMP4 album in TelegramApify storage / webhook Public archiveYesNo (per-customer) Setup time~30 secondsHours-to-days for a real pipeline Best fitWatching livesBuilding software on top ## When TikRec is the wrong tool TikRec is the wrong fit if: - you need programmatic access to recordings to feed into another system (analytics, brand monitoring, ML training) - you require service-level guarantees and a contract - your downstream consumer is not a person looking at Telegram In those cases, Apify (or a self-hosted version of the open-source [`Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder`](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) CLI on GitHub) is the right choice. ## When Apify is the wrong tool Apify is the wrong fit if: - you just want to keep a TikTok creator's lives for personal viewing - you don't have engineering time to build the pipeline around the Actor - you don't want to monitor billing for hobby use A consumer wants a free Telegram message, not an Actor invocation. ## The hybrid path Some users sit between consumer and developer: - a small fan community archiving lives for a niche creator - a researcher with light scripting needs For that case, the open-source CLI is often the best fit: free, scriptable, runs on a Raspberry Pi, no per-run cost. TikRec uses the same engine as the CLI, so you can move between hosted and self-hosted with no recording-quality loss. ## Verdict **Choose TikRec** if you want to: - watch TikTok lives in Telegram - save lives without writing code - pay nothing - browse a public archive **Choose Apify** if you need to: - integrate TikTok live recording into other software - pay per run for predictable B2B billing - ship recordings to your own backend ## Start at the right entry point If you are a person who wants to watch lives: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get the next TikTok live as MP4 in Telegram If you are a developer building a system, look at [the open-source CLI](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) first. It is the same engine that powers TikRec. For other comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder), [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived), or [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs Arkaiva on Telegram URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: Arkaiva is a Telegram mini-app for TikTok live recording with a smaller user base. TikRec is a Telegram bot focused on the same use case but adds a public SEO archive at /creators and /missed, making past recordings discoverable from search engines. Arkaiva and TikRec sit in the same lane: **Telegram-native TikTok live recording**. That's an unusual lane. Most TikTok recorders are mobile apps (GREC, LiveRec, Rewatch Live) or desktop tools (Olived). The two products that explicitly live inside Telegram are Arkaiva and TikRec. So the question is sharper than usual: between two same-channel competitors, **which workflow do you want?** This comparison uses public information available on **May 4, 2026**. Pricing math: Both run as Telegram bots. TikRec is the only one with public pricing (Free / $2.99 / $4.99), free past-archive sharing across users, and source-quality MP4 on every tier. Arkaiva's premium price isn't published; HD 1080p is paywalled. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you want a public web archive of past lives (`/creators/[username]`, `/missed/[username]`) - you want recordings delivered as albums (video + thumbnail) in one card - you want a unlimited-watchlist free tier with no slot caps - you want to forward recordings to friends or chats Choose **Arkaiva** if: - you have already used Arkaiva and the workflow is familiar - you do not need a public web archive - you are happy with a mini-app interface ## The shared positioning Both bots share the same core loop: 1. Add a TikTok creator 2. Wait for them to go live 3. Get a recording delivered to Telegram This is materially the same product on the surface. The differentiation is in **what each bot adds on top**. ## Where TikRec adds layers ### Public archive TikRec exposes the full archive of recordings on the web: - `tikrec.com/creators/[username]` is the hub for every tracked creator - `tikrec.com/missed/[username]` answers the "I missed [creator]'s live, can I watch it?" intent - `tikrec.com/live/[id]` is the per-recording page - `tikrec.com/latest` shows the most recent recordings across the whole archive This means: - a Google search for "[creator name] tiktok live recording" can land on TikRec - a friend can share a link to a specific past live without needing a Telegram client open - search engines and AI engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity) can index the archive and recommend TikRec Arkaiva does not expose a web-side archive. The recordings live inside Telegram only. ### Album delivery TikRec sends each recording as a Telegram **album**: the original MP4 and a contact-sheet thumbnail in a single grouped message. One card, two media items, one tap to play. After the original Telegram Stars deprecation, the same album mechanic now applies to past-recording deliveries from the public archive. ### Watchlist tiers TikRec offers three tiers: Free (2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), no card), Basic $2.99/mo (25), Pro $4.99/mo (100). The watchlist itself has no concurrency cap - if every watched creator goes live at the same minute, all of them are recorded in parallel. ## Where Arkaiva might be a better fit Arkaiva's marketing emphasizes its mini-app surface inside Telegram. If you specifically prefer the mini-app pattern (web view embedded in Telegram) over a classic command-driven bot, Arkaiva leans that way. If you only ever consume content inside Telegram and never want a web-search-visible archive of your saved lives, the SEO surface of TikRec is unnecessary for you - in which case the products are roughly equivalent on the recording side. ## Pricing Both bots advertise a free entry point. Specifics: - **TikRec**: Free tier (2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), no card) covers small users. Basic $2.99/mo (25 creators), Pro $4.99/mo (100). Past archive lookups are free on every plan, including Free. - **Arkaiva**: free product on Telegram; check the bot for any premium upsell at the time of use. TikRec's competitive advantage here is not price - both have a free option that covers casual users - but the public web archive at `/creators` and `/missed`, which Arkaiva does not expose. ## TikRec vs Arkaiva comparison FeatureTikRecArkaiva Primary interfaceTelegram botTelegram mini-app Public web archiveYes (`/creators`, `/missed`, `/latest`)No Default deliveryMP4 album with thumbnailPer-bot delivery format Watchlist limitUnlimitedPer-bot limit CostFree everythingFree, possible premium DiscoverabilityIndexed by Google/AI enginesDiscovery via Telegram only Source codeOpen source CLI on GitHubClosed Best fitTelegram + webTelegram-only ## The decisive feature For most users, the deciding factor is the **public archive**. If you have ever: - searched Google for "[creator name] tiktok live recording" - wished you could send a friend a link to a specific past live - wanted to browse a creator's history without scrolling Telegram then TikRec's web layer matters. If you exclusively consume content inside Telegram and never share lives outside, both products are fine. ## Open-source angle The TikRec recording engine is open source: [`Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder`](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) on GitHub, MIT license. You can self-host the same engine TikRec uses in production. Arkaiva does not publish source code. For some buyers (security-conscious, audit-curious, indie devs) that matters. For most consumer users, it doesn't. ## Verdict **Choose TikRec** if you care about: - a public archive of past lives that survives outside Telegram - album delivery in a single card - unlimited watchlist - open-source provenance **Choose Arkaiva** if you specifically prefer: - a Telegram mini-app surface - a Telegram-only workflow with no web layer ## Start with the lower-friction option The fastest test is TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Receive the next live as MP4 in Telegram For other comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived), or [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs LiveRec for TikTok Live Recording URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec Published: 2026-04-27 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: LiveRec is stronger if you want an app with clipping, bookmarks, and in-app replay browsing. TikRec is better for Telegram delivery and a simpler path from creator to MP4. TikRec Basic ($2.99/mo, 25 creators) is 4.3x cheaper than LiveRec ($12.99/mo); the Free tier covers 2 creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5). TikRec and LiveRec solve the same core problem: you do not want to miss TikTok lives. But they package the solution very differently. As of **April 27, 2026**, LiveRec's public site positions itself as a mobile replay product with cloud recording, clipping, bookmarks, downloads, and discovery. TikRec is more direct: add creators in Telegram, get the MP4 in Telegram, unlock older archive videos only when you need them. Pricing math: TikRec Basic at $2.99/mo is 4.3x cheaper than LiveRec Basic ($12.99/mo) for the same 25-creator auto-record. TikRec Pro tracks 4x more creators (100 vs 25) for $4.99/mo - still 2.6x under LiveRec's entry tier. LiveRec has no free tier; TikRec covers 2 creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) free with no card. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you want the simplest workflow - you like using Telegram as the place where recordings arrive - you mainly care about future creator lives - you prefer free watchlist recording plus optional per-video unlocks Choose **LiveRec** if: - you want a dedicated iOS/Android app - you care about clipping and in-app replay tools - you want likes, bookmarks, playback speed, and more discovery features - you are fine with monthly creator-slot pricing ## The product philosophy is different ### TikRec TikRec is outcome-first. The flow is: 1. send `/watch username` 2. wait for the creator to go live 3. receive the recording There is very little between the user and the result. ### LiveRec LiveRec is engagement-first. Its public site emphasizes: - browse past lives - auto-record future lives - clip highlights - like recordings - bookmark creators - variable playback speed - pinch to zoom That is a more app-heavy replay environment. ## Pricing difference As of April 27, 2026, LiveRec's public site says it starts at **$12.99/month** with: - Basic: 25 creators - Standard: 50 creators - Premium: 75 creators TikRec is different: - Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card - Basic $2.99/mo (25 creators) and Pro $4.99/mo (100 creators) are still cheaper than every LiveRec tier - past recordings from any creator are free on every tier, including Free That is a major difference in buyer psychology. ### LiveRec pricing model Good for: - people who want ongoing access to a larger app experience - users who expect to record many creators every month - people comfortable with a recurring plan ### TikRec pricing model Good for: - users who want to start with zero recurring commitment - people focused on a smaller watchlist - users who mainly want future lives and only sometimes need archive access ## TikRec vs LiveRec comparison FeatureTikRecLiveRec Primary interfaceTelegram botiOS + Android app Future live auto-recordingYesYes Past-live browsingYes, via site archiveYes, core app feature Clipping toolNoYes Bookmarks / likes / replay UXMinimalYes Default deliveryMP4 in TelegramWatch/download in app Free watchlist recordingsYesPublic site emphasizes monthly plans with creator caps Best fitFast, low-friction recordingReplay-heavy app users ## Where TikRec is better TikRec is better when the user does not want a content destination. They want a delivery system. That is a meaningful distinction. A lot of people do not want to build a habit around a separate replay app. They just want: - the creator watched - the live recorded - the MP4 delivered TikRec wins hard on that simplicity. It is also a better value proposition for users who: - only follow a handful of creators - do not want another monthly bill - want archive access only occasionally ## Where LiveRec is better LiveRec is better if the replay experience itself is part of the product you want. Its public site is stronger around: - clipping - bookmarks - speed controls - zoom - larger built-in archive/discovery framing If you spend a lot of time consuming and browsing old lives, LiveRec has more replay-product surface area. ## The practical decision Ask yourself one question: **Do I want a TikTok live recorder, or do I want a TikTok live replay app?** If the answer is recorder, TikRec is usually the better fit. If the answer is replay app, LiveRec is often the better fit. ## Verdict **TikRec wins on** - setup speed - Telegram delivery - free future watchlist recording - simpler monetization for occasional archive use **LiveRec wins on** - clipping - in-app consumption features - discovery and replay-heavy browsing - more polished app-style post-recording experience ## Best starting point If you want the lowest-friction test, start with TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let the next live arrive in Telegram If you are also comparing against a broader multi-platform service, read [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder) or [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived). For mobile-app alternatives, see [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive). For Telegram-native rivals, see [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva) and [TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot](/blog/tikrec-vs-tiktoklivedownloaderbot). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs Olived for TikTok Live Recording URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-olived Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: Choose Olived if you want a desktop tool that records TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili and more, and you are happy keeping a computer running and paying $9.99/mo (or $199 lifetime). Choose TikRec if you want a cloud Telegram bot focused on TikTok, with no PC, no install, and a public archive of past lives - $4.99/mo for the same auto-record use case. If you are comparing TikRec vs Olived, the question is not "which one records TikTok lives" - both do. The real question is **where you want the recorder to live: on your own computer, or in the cloud**. This comparison is based on public product information available on **May 4, 2026**. Pricing math: TikRec Pro at $4.99/mo runs in the cloud. Olived's $9.99/mo paid tier still requires your PC running 24/7. TikRec Pro is 2x cheaper monthly and removes the always-on-PC tax. Olived's $199.99 lifetime works out to about 40 months of TikRec Pro - over 3 years. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you do not want to keep a computer running - you want recordings delivered to Telegram automatically - you only really care about TikTok (not Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili) - you want a public archive page for every creator (`/creators/[username]`, `/missed/[username]`) Choose **Olived** if: - you already have a PC always on - you record creators across many platforms (Twitch, YouTube, AfreecaTV, Bilibili, Douyin, etc.) - you want full local control of files - you are comfortable with a desktop install and a config workflow ## The product philosophy is different ### TikRec TikRec is a **hosted Telegram bot**. Add a TikTok creator with `/watch username`, the bot polls TikTok every 60 seconds, and the moment the creator goes live the cloud recorder kicks in. When the live ends, you get the MP4 plus a thumbnail album in your Telegram chat. No software running on your laptop, no port forwarding, no maintenance. ### Olived Olived is a **closed-source multi-platform desktop recorder** (despite a public GitHub org with stub repos, the actual app is a paid product). It monitors a list of streamers across AfreecaTV, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Douyin, Douyu, Huya, NimoTV, Bilibili and more, and starts recording when one goes live. It runs on your own machine and writes files to your local disk. That is a meaningful difference: Olived requires you (or some PC you control) to be online when the creator streams. TikRec offloads that to a server. ## Platform scope This is the largest separation between the two products. - **Olived**: TikTok plus many other live-streaming platforms. - **TikRec**: TikTok only. If your real workflow includes Twitch, YouTube live, or Asian platforms (Bilibili, Douyin), Olived is the closer fit. If TikTok is the only thing you care about, TikRec's narrower focus removes a lot of UI surface and a lot of decisions. ## Delivery model ### Olived delivery The recording lands as a video file on your local disk. You manage storage, naming, cleanup, sharing, and any backup yourself. That is great for power users who want full control. ### TikRec delivery The recording is sent as a Telegram album: original-quality MP4 plus a thumbnail contact sheet, in the same chat where you talk to friends. Telegram stores it indefinitely. You can forward it instantly. You don't think about disk usage. ## Pricing - **Olived**: free tier is **single-task only** (one stream at a time). Paid plans: $9.99/mo, $79.99/yr, or $199.99 lifetime. The 2-device cap applies to all paid tiers. - **TikRec**: Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card. Basic $2.99/mo (25) or Pro $4.99/mo (100) if you outgrow the free tier. Past archive lookups are free on every plan. That puts TikRec Pro at **2x lower monthly cost** ($4.99 vs $9.99) for the same "auto-record many creators" use case - and you don't have to keep a PC running. ## TikRec vs Olived comparison FeatureTikRecOlived Where it runsCloud (Telegram bot)Your desktop Install requiredNo (Telegram only)Yes (Windows/Mac) PC needs to be onNoYes PlatformsTikTok onlyTikTok + Twitch + YouTube + 7 more Default deliveryMP4 album in TelegramLocal file on disk Public archive of past livesYes (`/creators`, `/missed`)No CostFree, or $2.99 / $4.99 monthly$9.99/mo, $79.99/yr, $199.99 lifetime; free tier = 1 task only Best fitTikTok-only, no PC, mobile-firstMulti-platform power user with a home server ## Where TikRec wins TikRec is the better fit when "less product" is actually more value. Most TikTok-live viewers do not want a desktop app to maintain. They want: - pick a creator - get a recording when they go live - watch it on their phone TikRec ships exactly that loop, with no install. Offloading the runtime to the cloud also means TikRec catches lives that start while your laptop is asleep, off, or on a flaky connection. The public archive is the second large advantage: every recording lands at `tikrec.com/live/[id]`, every creator gets a `/creators/[username]` and `/missed/[username]` page. If you missed a live on Olived, you have to hope someone else recorded and shared it. On TikRec, there is a chance another user already had the creator on their watchlist and the recording is one tap away. ## Where Olived wins Olived is the better fit when you have a PC you don't mind keeping on, and you record across many platforms. Reasons to prefer Olived: - you already record Twitch or YouTube and want one tool for everything - you want the source files on a NAS or local drive immediately - you have a strong opinion on file naming, post-processing, or transcoding If your stream-archiving stack already includes ffmpeg/yt-dlp/streamlink, Olived slots into that mental model better than a Telegram bot. ## Reliability differences This is where cloud-vs-desktop matters most: - **Olived**: depends on your machine being awake, your network being stable, and your storage having space. A lost connection or sleep cycle can drop the recording. - **TikRec**: depends on TikRec's servers, which are on 24/7 and use FFmpeg with `+discardcorrupt` and chunked recording (12 hours / 10 GB per chunk) to recover from corrupt packets and long broadcasts. If a stream lasts 30 hours, TikRec just keeps chunking. For long lives, sleep cycles, or unstable home networks, the cloud option is materially more reliable. ## Want to audit the code yourself? A common assumption is that Olived is open source. It isn't - the desktop app is closed-source and paid, even though there's a public GitHub org with a few stub repos. If you want code you can actually audit, **TikRec's underlying recorder is open source**: [`Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder`](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) on GitHub, MIT-licensed. The hosted bot at @tikrec_live_bot is the cloud version of that engine. So the "I can read the source" property goes to TikRec, not Olived. ## The practical decision Ask one question: **do you want to host the recorder yourself, or do you want it hosted for you?** - "Host it myself, I have a PC running 24/7" -> Olived. - "Host it for me, I just want the file" -> TikRec. For mobile-first users in markets where most people don't keep a desktop PC running (Indonesia, Brazil, LATAM, MENA), TikRec's cloud-and-Telegram model is structurally a better fit. ## Verdict **Choose TikRec** if you want: - a TikTok-specific recorder with no install - recordings delivered to Telegram - a public archive of past lives for every creator - free everything **Choose Olived** if you want: - a multi-platform desktop tool - local file ownership - one tool for every live platform you watch - and you don't mind paying $9.99/mo (or $199 lifetime) on top of running a PC ## Start with the lower-friction option If you want the lowest setup-time test, start with TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get the next TikTok live as MP4 in Telegram For other comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder), or [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs Rewatch Live for TikTok Live Replay URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: Rewatch Live is a polished mobile app with in-app browsing, but it costs money and App Store reviewers report missed recordings. TikRec is a Telegram bot: Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card; paid tiers $2.99/mo (25) or $4.99/mo (100) are still cheaper than Rewatch Live's subscription. Public web archive at /creators and /missed is free on every plan. If you are comparing TikRec vs Rewatch Live, the question is **app vs Telegram bot**, and **subscription vs free**. This comparison is based on public product information available on **May 4, 2026**. Pricing math: TikRec Pro at $4.99/mo is far below Rewatch Live VIP (~$8.99 entry, lifetime ladder up to $99). Both deliver auto-recorded TikTok lives; TikRec adds free past-archive sharing across users and Telegram-native delivery - no app install, no App Store account. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you want a free option with no card - you want a Telegram-first workflow - you want a public archive of past lives at `/creators/[username]` and `/missed/[username]` - you don't want to install another app Choose **Rewatch Live** if: - you want a dedicated mobile app with in-app browsing - you are comfortable with a recurring subscription - you don't mind variable reliability reported by some App Store users ## What each product is optimized for ### TikRec TikRec is a Telegram bot. You add a creator with `/watch username`, the bot polls TikTok every 60 seconds, and the recording is delivered to your Telegram chat as an MP4 album when the live ends. The website at `tikrec.com` is an open archive: every recording has a public page, every creator has a hub. There is no app to install, no account form, no card. ### Rewatch Live Rewatch Live is a mobile app (iOS/Android). The product page emphasizes auto-recording multiple lives in parallel, in-app saving to the cloud, and viewing recordings without filling local storage. It is a more app-shop-style product: download, sign up, subscribe, browse. ## Pricing - **TikRec**: Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card. Basic $2.99/mo for 25 creators, Pro $4.99/mo for 100. Past archive lookups are free on every plan. - **Rewatch Live**: paid subscription. The public App Store listing markets cloud recording and unlimited in-app archive, with pricing that several reviewers describe as expensive relative to reliability. This is the largest difference in the **buyer psychology**: - TikRec: zero-cost entry point, paid only if you outgrow the free tier, full archive free for everyone. - Rewatch Live: subscription cost from day 1, expectation of premium experience, mixed reliability outcome. ## Reliability and reviews App Store reviews of Rewatch Live mention specific issues: - watching a creator go live but the recording not appearing - missed lives that the app should have caught - subscription value not matching the reliability of the recordings This is not a knock on the product team - cloud TikTok recording is genuinely hard, and TikTok occasionally changes its room/info APIs. But it is something a paying user notices more than a free user. TikRec uses FFmpeg with `+discardcorrupt`, automatic chunking at 12 hours / 10 GB, and a re-encode fallback for corrupted streams, all on the server side. When a recording fails, TikRec retries automatically; you only see the success. ## Default delivery ### TikRec delivery The recording arrives as a Telegram album: original-quality MP4 plus a thumbnail contact sheet. Telegram handles storage indefinitely. You can forward the file to a friend with one tap. ### Rewatch Live delivery You watch and manage recordings inside the app. That is more polished if "browse a library of replays" is the use case you actually want. It is less useful if you want to share a clip in a group chat or send a friend a specific live. ## TikRec vs Rewatch Live comparison FeatureTikRecRewatch Live Primary interfaceTelegram botiOS/Android app Install requiredNoYes CostFreePaid subscription Default deliveryMP4 album in TelegramIn-app library Public web archiveYesNo (in-app only) Reported reliabilityServer-side retry, chunkingMixed App Store reviews Forward/shareOne tap in TelegramApp-mediated Best fitTelegram-first viewerApp-replay-library user ## Where TikRec wins TikRec wins for users who do not want yet another app on their phone with yet another subscription. Specifically: - You already chat in Telegram daily; one more bot is zero cost. - You want to forward a live clip to a friend or a group chat - native to Telegram, awkward in any app. - You want to look up a creator on a desktop browser - TikRec has a real website at `/creators/[username]` and `/missed/[username]`. Rewatch Live does not expose a public archive. - You are price-sensitive (LATAM, SEA, MENA, EU). The free model wins outright. ## Where Rewatch Live wins Rewatch Live wins when the in-app replay experience itself is the thing you want. - You like browsing dozens of past lives inside one curated app. - You prefer "open the app on the couch and pick a live" over Telegram chat scrolling. - You don't mind paying monthly for that experience. If the app UX is the product for you, Rewatch Live's investment in mobile design is real. Just be aware of the App Store reviews mentioning missed recordings. ## The practical decision One question: **do you want to read about TikTok lives in your Telegram, or in a separate app?** - Telegram: TikRec. Free. - Separate app: Rewatch Live. Paid. ## Verdict **TikRec wins on**: - price (free) - setup speed (no install) - public web archive - forward/share friction (zero in Telegram) **Rewatch Live wins on**: - in-app browsing experience - mobile-first replay library - a more "consumer app" mental model ## Best starting point If you want to test the workflow with the least setup, start with TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get the next TikTok live as MP4 in Telegram For other comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder), or [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs StreamRecorder for TikTok Live URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder Published: 2026-04-27 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: Choose StreamRecorder if you want a broad live-recording platform across Twitch, Kick, TikTok and more. Choose TikRec if your only real use case is TikTok lives. TikRec Free covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) and full archive access; StreamRecorder's free tier is capped at 720p, 3 streamers, and 5-day retention. TikRec and StreamRecorder are not trying to win in the same way. TikRec is narrower and more opinionated. StreamRecorder is broader and more platform-agnostic. That means the better product depends on whether you want a **TikTok-specific workflow** or a **general live-stream recording platform**. This comparison uses public product information available on **April 27, 2026**. Pricing math: TikRec Free covers 2 creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), source-quality MP4, and free past-archive lookups. StreamRecorder's free tier caps you at 720p, 3 streamers, 5-day retention, and no retroactive access. Premium pricing is hidden until you sign up. TikRec publishes every price. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - TikTok is your main or only use case - you want Telegram delivery - you want free future watchlist recording - you want archive unlocks only when needed Choose **StreamRecorder** if: - you want one product for TikTok, Twitch, Kick, AfreecaTV, and more - you want a web dashboard and bigger multi-platform archive - you are comfortable with retention limits and premium upsells ## The positioning is fundamentally different ### TikRec TikRec says, in effect: - add TikTok creators - record their lives automatically - send the MP4 to Telegram That is a very specific workflow, and that specificity is a strength. ### StreamRecorder StreamRecorder says: - record your favorite streams across many platforms - watch online later - use free or premium plans - manage a broader VOD workflow That breadth is useful, but it also means TikTok is only one part of the product. ## Platform scope This is the biggest separation. As of April 27, 2026, StreamRecorder publicly supports automatic recording across multiple live platforms, including TikTok, Twitch, Kick, AfreecaTV, PandaLive, FlexTV and more. TikRec is much narrower. It is centered on TikTok live recording and the Telegram delivery loop built around that behavior. If your problem is: - "I need one dashboard for every streaming platform" then StreamRecorder is the closer match. If your problem is: - "I only care about TikTok lives and want the simplest workflow" then TikRec is the better fit. ## Pricing and retention model As of April 27, 2026, StreamRecorder's public FAQ says: - free plan includes 720p recording - free plan can record up to 3 streamers at once - free recordings are retained for 5 days - premium goes much further, including more targets and longer retention TikRec is different: - Free tier covers 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no card; paid tiers $2.99/mo (25) or $4.99/mo (100) - recordings are delivered to Telegram - past recordings from the public archive are free on every tier, including Free - Telegram retention is indefinite (no 5-day cap) - source quality on every plan, no resolution gating That means TikRec is less about "how much storage and retention is in my plan?" and more about "I want this creator recorded, indefinitely." ## TikRec vs StreamRecorder comparison FeatureTikRecStreamRecorder Primary focusTikTok livesMulti-platform stream recording Primary interfaceTelegram bot + SEO archiveWeb platform/dashboard Free future recording for TikTok watchlistYesFree tier exists, with plan limits and retention limits Free plan retentionTelegram delivery modelPublic FAQ says 5 days Archive modelFree public archive of TikTok recordingsBroader VOD platform model Multi-platform supportNoYes Best fitTikTok-only usersUsers tracking many platforms ## Where TikRec is better TikRec is better when focus matters more than breadth. If your real behavior is: - follow TikTok creators - receive full recordings - sometimes unlock a past live then StreamRecorder's platform breadth may be unnecessary overhead. TikRec has a sharper core loop: - creator -> watchlist - live -> recording - recording -> Telegram That is extremely practical for users who already live inside Telegram. ## Where StreamRecorder is better StreamRecorder is better when you do not want a TikTok-specific tool. If you also follow: - Twitch streamers - Kick streamers - AfreecaTV broadcasters - other live platforms then a general platform can be more efficient than managing multiple specialized tools. It is also a stronger fit if you prefer a web dashboard and a larger VOD-service mental model. ## Which one is better for most TikTok-only users? For TikTok-only users, TikRec is usually the better choice. Why: - it is more focused - it has lower setup friction - free future watchlist recording is easier to understand - archive monetization appears only when you need it - Telegram delivery is simpler than another dashboard habit ## Verdict **Choose TikRec** if you want: - a TikTok-specific recorder - Telegram delivery - free future watchlist recordings - a lighter-weight product **Choose StreamRecorder** if you want: - one service across many streaming platforms - a web-based VOD workflow - broader general-purpose recording infrastructure ## Start with the focused workflow If TikTok is the only platform you really care about, test the simpler path first: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get the next live as MP4 in Telegram For app-first alternatives, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec) and [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec). For other Telegram-native or open-source alternatives, see [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived), [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva), [TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot](/blog/tikrec-vs-tiktoklivedownloaderbot), or [TikRec vs Apify](/blog/tikrec-vs-apify) for the developer angle. ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tikrec-vs-tiktoklivedownloaderbot Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-09 Category: Comparison TL;DR: @tiktoklivedownloaderbot offers on-demand TikTok live downloading inside Telegram. TikRec offers a watchlist-based auto-recording bot plus a public web archive of every past live. Different jobs, different defaults. Both [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) and `@tiktoklivedownloaderbot` are Telegram bots that touch TikTok live recording, but they solve different jobs. This comparison uses public information available on **May 4, 2026**. Pricing math: TikRec publishes prices, watchlist limits, MP4 quality, and a verifiable safety story (no TikTok login required, public source code at Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder). @tiktoklivedownloaderbot publishes none of these. The honest comparison is: known vs unknown. ## Short answer Choose **TikRec** if: - you want an **auto-recording watchlist** of TikTok creators - you want recordings delivered without you initiating each one - you want a public archive page for every recording (`/live/[id]`, `/creators/[username]`, `/missed/[username]`) - you want unlimited watchlist size Choose **@tiktoklivedownloaderbot** if: - you specifically want to **download** a TikTok live URL on demand - you do not need automated future-live tracking - you do not need a public archive ## The core difference: watchlist vs on-demand ### TikRec is watchlist-first The TikRec workflow is forward-looking: 1. Send `/watch creator_username` 2. The bot polls TikTok every 60 seconds 3. When the creator goes live, recording starts automatically 4. When the live ends, you get an MP4 + thumbnail album in your Telegram chat You add a creator once and TikRec keeps recording every future live they do. ### @tiktoklivedownloaderbot is on-demand-first A downloader bot is reactive: you provide a URL or username and the bot tries to capture or fetch the relevant content right now. It is the right tool for "this live is happening, I want it" - not for "this creator goes live every Tuesday at 8 PM, I want all of them." Both jobs are valid. They are just different jobs. ## Past archive This is the second large difference. - **TikRec** maintains a public archive of every recording. The website at `tikrec.com` indexes recordings by creator and date. Each past live has a permanent URL. If you missed a live, the chance that another TikRec user had the creator on their watchlist - and therefore the recording exists in the archive - is high (the archive currently holds over 26,000 recordings from 6,900+ creators). - **@tiktoklivedownloaderbot** is, by name, a downloader. The default model is "deliver this live to you now, then move on." Whether a long-term archive exists, and whether it is publicly browsable, depends on the bot's specific implementation and is not the marketed primary feature. If your real need includes "watch lives I missed," TikRec's archive is the larger value. ## Delivery format - **TikRec**: each recording lands as a Telegram **album** - original MP4 plus a thumbnail contact sheet, in a single grouped message with one card. - **@tiktoklivedownloaderbot**: per-bot delivery format; typically the video file as a Telegram message. For long lives, TikRec automatically chunks at 12 hours / 10 GB and continues with a new chunk so the recording never stops. Files over 2 GB are split into parts to fit Telegram's upload limit. ## Pricing - **TikRec**: Free tier (2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), no card) covers casual users. Basic $2.99/mo for 25, Pro $4.99/mo for 100. Past archive lookups are free on every plan. - **@tiktoklivedownloaderbot**: typically free for basic use, with possible premium upsells; check the bot's `/help` for the current model. Both are positioned as low-friction Telegram bots with a free entry point, so the price difference is rarely the deciding factor for casual users. The behavior difference is. ## TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot comparison FeatureTikRec@tiktoklivedownloaderbot WorkflowWatchlist auto-recordOn-demand download Future livesAuto-recordedUser must trigger each one Past lives archiveYes (web + bot)Bot-dependent Default deliveryMP4 album with thumbnailSingle MP4 message Long-live handling12h / 10 GB chunkingPer-bot Watchlist sizeUnlimitedN/A (no watchlist) Public web archiveYesNo Best fitTrack creators long-termCapture one specific live now ## The simple decision rule - "I want to record a specific live happening **right now**" -> a downloader bot is the direct tool. - "I want to never miss a creator's lives **going forward**, and I want a public history" -> TikRec. Many users actually want both, and TikRec covers both via its archive and its watchlist. ## Where TikRec is better TikRec wins for the "long-term creator tracking" job: - You specify a creator once, you stop thinking about it. - Future lives are recorded even when you sleep or are offline. - Past lives from other people's watchlists are still available to you for free. - The website indexes everything publicly, so you can share permanent links. ## Where @tiktoklivedownloaderbot is better A downloader bot is the cleaner tool for the **right-now** job: - You see a live happening that you want to keep. - You paste the URL or username and the bot fetches it. - You don't want a watchlist of any kind. For occasional one-shot captures, that is faster than navigating a watchlist UI. ## Verdict **TikRec wins on**: - automated future-live tracking - public web archive - album delivery format - unlimited watchlist **@tiktoklivedownloaderbot wins on**: - single-live, on-demand downloads - minimal command surface for one-off captures ## Start with the workflow you actually need If you care about future lives: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get every future live in Telegram If you only want to fetch one specific live in flight, an on-demand downloader bot is fine. For other comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder), [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived), or [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva). ## Is TikRec really free? Yes. The Free tier records up to 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5) with no credit card. Past archive lookups are free for every tier, including Free, with no limit. Paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators or $4.99/mo for 100) only raise the watchlist size and how many manual recordings can run at the same time. ## What recording quality does TikRec deliver? Source quality. TikRec captures what TikTok broadcasts (typically 540p or 720p H.264 with AAC audio) and remuxes to MP4 with no re-encoding, no watermark, and no compression. Same MP4 quality across every tier. ## Where are TikRec recordings stored? On Telegram, in your private chat with @tikrec_live_bot. Telegram has no expiration and no storage cap, so the MP4 stays as long as your account exists. TikRec does not store videos on its own infrastructure long-term. ## How quickly does TikRec start recording after a creator goes live? Detection latency is typically under 60 seconds. The watchlist polls TikTok every 60 seconds for all watched creators in parallel, and recording starts the moment a live is detected. ## Does TikTok notify the creator that TikRec is recording? No. TikRec records from the public live URL using the same approach a normal viewer's browser uses. No notification is sent to the creator and no account login is required. --- ### Best Free TikTok Live Recorder in 2026 URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/best-free-tiktok-live-recorder-2026 Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-06 Category: Comparison TL;DR: TikRec has the most generous free tier among cloud TikTok recorders in 2026 - 2 watched creators with no card (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), full archive access for free. Optional paid tiers ($2.99/mo for 25 creators, $4.99/mo for 100) are still cheaper than every cloud competitor we tested. Every other 'free' tool either runs on your machine, gates real features behind a subscription, or has a free tier with retention/quality caps. In 2026 there are roughly a dozen tools that claim to record TikTok lives. Most don't work for active streams. Of the ones that do, the word "free" means very different things. This is the honest ranked list, updated **May 2026**. ## How "free" actually breaks down Before the ranking, useful definitions: - **Generous cloud free tier, no card**: the tool runs on a server, you don't keep a PC on, the free tier covers small users with no payment required, full archive lookups stay free. **TikRec sits here in 2026** (2 watched creators free on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5); $2.99/mo for 25 or $4.99/mo for 100 if you outgrow the free tier). - **Free as in your machine**: open-source CLIs and desktop apps. Free in dollars, but you pay in electricity, storage, and uptime. - **Free tier of a paid product**: a usable demo, but real features (creator slots, retention, quality) sit behind a subscription. - **Free, but paid for the use case you actually want**: you can sign up and click around, but every meaningful action triggers an upsell. Most "best free" lists don't make this distinction. So they put a $4.99/week product next to a Telegram bot with a real free tier and call them equivalent. ## 1. TikRec - cloud, Telegram-delivered, generous free tier **Best for**: anyone who wants recordings to just appear, with no install. [TikRec](/) is a Telegram bot. Send `/watch creator_username` to [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot). When the creator goes live, the bot records the stream from the source and delivers the MP4 + thumbnail album to your Telegram chat. Past recordings from any creator already on the public archive (currently 26,500+ recordings, 6,900+ creators) are also free to open from the website. - **Setup**: 30 seconds - **Quality**: source (no re-encoding, no watermark, no UI overlay) on every plan - **Cost**: Free tier $0 (2 watchlist creators on new accounts, no card; accounts before 2026-05-21 keep 5). Basic $2.99/mo for 25. Pro $4.99/mo for 100. Past archive lookups free on every plan. - **Watchlist size**: 2 (Free, new accounts; legacy = 5) / 25 (Basic) / 100 (Pro) - **Storage**: Telegram, indefinite - **24/7 monitoring**: yes, server-side - **Long lives**: auto-chunked at 12 hours / 10 GB - **Public archive**: yes, at `/creators/[username]` and `/missed/[username]` - **Drawbacks**: requires a Telegram account; TikTok-only This is the easiest option for non-technical users. See the deep-dive comparisons below. ## 2. TikTok Live Recorder (open-source CLI) **Best for**: developers who want self-hosted, scriptable recording. [TikTok Live Recorder](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) is the Python CLI that powers TikRec's cloud service. MIT licensed. - **Setup**: 5-10 minutes (Python + FFmpeg + clone + run) - **Quality**: source - **Cost**: free, MIT - **Storage**: your disk - **Modes**: manual, automatic polling, follower monitoring - **Drawbacks**: needs a machine running 24/7, CLI only Deep dive: [TikTok Live Recorder open-source guide](/blog/tiktok-live-recorder-open-source). ## 3. Olived - desktop, multi-platform, free OSS + paid Pro **Best for**: power users who already record across platforms (Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili). [Olived](https://olived.app) is a desktop recorder with a free open-source CLI and a paid OlivedPro app. Supports TikTok plus 9+ other live platforms. - **Setup**: install + config - **Quality**: source - **Cost**: free OSS, OlivedPro paid - **Storage**: local disk - **Drawbacks**: desktop-bound, needs your PC awake Compare: [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived). ## 4. StreamRecorder.io - cloud, free 720p with caps **Best for**: users tracking 1-3 streamers across many platforms (Twitch, Kick, AfreecaTV, PandaLive). [StreamRecorder.io](https://streamrecorder.io) has a free tier and premium upgrades. - **Setup**: account signup - **Free tier**: 720p, up to **3 streamers**, recordings retained for **5 days** - **Premium**: up to 4K, unlimited streamers, longer retention (paid) - **Drawbacks**: TikTok is one of 11 supported platforms, not a focus; free retention cap kills archive use case Compare: [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder). ## 5. GREC - cloud, free tier + $4.99/week premium **Best for**: users who want a polished mobile app with multi-platform cloud recording. [GREC](https://www.grecrecorder.com) is a multi-platform cloud recorder (TikTok + Instagram Live + Twitch + Kick + X), App Store and Google Play apps, claimed 300k+ users. - **Setup**: install app, account - **Free tier**: limited - **Premium**: $4.99/week ($21.50/month equivalent, ~$259/year) - **Drawbacks**: $/week pricing alienates monthly buyers; no public archive Compare: [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec). ## 6. LiveRec - mobile app, paid only, slot-based **Best for**: users who want an in-app replay library on iOS or Android. [LiveRec](#) sells a TikTok-only app with monthly tiers. - **Setup**: install + subscribe - **Pricing**: $12.99/mo (Basic, 25 slots) -> $14.99 -> $24.99 (Premium, 75 slots) - **Drawbacks**: paid from minute one, slot caps create artificial scarcity Compare: [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec). ## 7. Rewatch Live - mobile app, paid only, mixed reliability **Best for**: users who want a mobile-first replay browser. Rewatch Live is an iOS/Android app with cloud recording and an in-app library. App Store reviews mention reliability complaints (lives that should have been caught but weren't). - **Setup**: install + subscribe - **Pricing**: subscription, App Store - **Drawbacks**: paid; user reviews flag missed recordings Compare: [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive). ## 8. Arkaiva - Telegram mini-app, free, smaller scale **Best for**: users who specifically want a Telegram mini-app surface. Arkaiva is a Telegram bot/mini-app for TikTok live recording, with a smaller user base than TikRec and no public web archive. - **Setup**: open in Telegram - **Pricing**: free - **Drawbacks**: no public archive, smaller catalog Compare: [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva). ## 9. OBS Studio - desktop, manual, full control **Best for**: one-off captures where you want full control over output settings. OBS records your screen or browser window. You open the live, set OBS to capture, hit record. - **Setup**: 10-15 minutes - **Quality**: re-encoded screen capture (~6 Mbps decent) - **Cost**: free, OSS - **Drawbacks**: must be present; UI overlays included; manual per stream Detailed comparison: [OBS vs cloud recording](/blog/obs-vs-cloud-tiktok-live-recorder). ## 10. Phone screen recording **Best for**: capturing a stream you're already watching, no extra tool. Built into iOS and Android. Open the live, start the screen recorder, watch through. - **Setup**: zero - **Quality**: re-encoded with TikTok UI baked in - **Cost**: free - **Drawbacks**: must watch in real time; stops if you switch apps; UI overlay; battery drain ## What does NOT work Skip these: - **Online "TikTok live downloader" websites** (alltikk, ssstik for lives, etc.): live streams are not downloadable as static files. The sites that advertise this either fail silently or grab the creator's last posted video instead. - **Browser extensions with vague names**: most don't work; some inject ads. - **Paid App Store "TikTok live recorder" apps with no public website**: usually wrappers around phone screen recording. ## Quick comparison table ToolWhere it runsSetupQualityHands-offFree for the real use case? TikRecCloud (Telegram)30sSourceYesFree 2 / $2.99 25 / $4.99 100 Live Recorder CLIYour PC10 minSourceIf PC stays onYes OlivedYour PC10 minSourceIf PC stays onFree OSS, paid Pro StreamRecorderCloud2 min720p free / 4K paidYesFree with 3-streamer cap, 5-day retention GRECCloud5 minHDYesFree tier limited; Premium $4.99/wk LiveRecCloud5 minHDYesPaid only, $12.99-24.99/mo Rewatch LiveCloud5 minHDYesPaid subscription ArkaivaCloud (Telegram)30sSourceYesYes (no public archive) OBSYour PC15 minRe-encodedNoYes Phone screen recYour phone0sRe-encodedNoYes ## Recommendation - **For most people**: **TikRec**. Free for 2 watched creators (no card; 5 for accounts before 2026-05-21), no install, works while you sleep, public archive. $2.99/mo if you need 25 slots, $4.99/mo for 100 - still cheaper than every paid cloud competitor. - **For developers**: **Live Recorder CLI** (or self-host TikRec). - **For multi-platform power users with a 24/7 PC**: **Olived**. - **For one-off manual captures**: **OBS** if you have it, **phone screen recording** otherwise. If you only follow one or two TikTok creators and want zero friction, the answer is unambiguous in 2026: open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), send `/watch [creator]`, you're done. The Free tier covers 2 creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5). ## Related reading Direct head-to-heads, in case you've already shortlisted: - [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec) - [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec) - [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder) - [TikRec vs Olived](/blog/tikrec-vs-olived) - [TikRec vs Rewatch Live](/blog/tikrec-vs-rewatchlive) - [TikRec vs Arkaiva](/blog/tikrec-vs-arkaiva) - [TikRec vs @tiktoklivedownloaderbot](/blog/tikrec-vs-tiktoklivedownloaderbot) - [TikRec vs Apify](/blog/tikrec-vs-apify) (developer angle) --- ### Why TikRec Dropped Telegram Stars URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/telegram-stars-explained Published: 2026-04-24 · Updated: 2026-05-06 Category: Update TL;DR: Telegram Stars unlocks are gone. Past archive lookups are free for everyone on every plan. May 2026 update: watchlist tiers added (Free 2, Basic $2.99 for 25, Pro $4.99 for 100) - paid via @tribute card, not Stars. TikRec used to charge a small Telegram Stars amount for past recordings. **That's gone.** From May 2026 onward, everything on TikRec is free. ## What changed - **Past recordings**: previously 5-50 Telegram Stars depending on duration. **Now free.** - **Watchlist recordings**: were already free, no change. - **The bot delivery**: you used to receive a separate thumbnail and a Stars-locked video. Now you get one Telegram album with the MP4 and the contact-sheet thumbnail together, in a single card. No more Stars prompt. Click `Watch on Telegram` from any creator page or `/latest` and the bot delivers the recording immediately. ## Why the change Stars-based pricing wasn't the right fit for what TikRec is: a free public archive of TikTok lives that's most useful when frictionless. Removing the paywall keeps the focus on growth and discovery. A different monetization strategy will be designed later. ## How to use TikRec now Same flow as before, just without payment: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) on Telegram 2. Send `/watch username` for any TikTok creator you follow 3. When they go live, TikRec records the stream and delivers the MP4 to your chat For past recordings, you can browse [the latest deliveries](/latest) or any [creator page](/creators) and click `Watch on Telegram` on any thumbnail. The bot opens, the album lands in your chat. No Stars, no payment. ## What about Stars I already spent? Telegram processes its own refunds for purchased Stars. We don't touch those. Past purchases stay in your Telegram account and you can spend them in any other Stars-enabled bot. ## Update: May 2026 - watchlist tiers added After running fully-free for ~2 months, we added optional paid watchlist tiers to support heavier users: - **Free** (no card): 2 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5), all auto-recorded when live. Past archive still free for everyone. - **Basic**: $2.99/mo for 22 watched creators on new accounts (accounts created before 2026-05-21 keep 5). - **Pro**: $4.99/mo for 100 watched creators. Telegram Stars stays deprecated. Paid subscriptions are processed by [@tribute](https://t.me/tribute) (Telegram-native subscription bot, any country, any bank). The Free tier is unchanged - if you only follow a handful of creators, nothing changes for you. Past archive lookups stay free for **every user, every plan, including Free**. That's the original promise from this post and it didn't move. See the full breakdown on the [pricing page](/pricing). --- ### How Long Can a TikTok Live Last? URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/how-long-can-a-tiktok-live-last Published: 2026-05-01 Category: Guide TL;DR: TikTok lives have no platform-imposed time limit. Streams over 24 hours have happened. Practical limits come from creator stamina, internet stability, and TikTok's quiet shutdown of streams with low engagement. There is no published maximum length for a TikTok live. The platform does not cut you off after a fixed number of hours. Lives running 12, 18, or even 24+ hours have happened. Subathons, charity streams, and 24-hour challenges all run on TikTok without hitting a hard wall. ## What can end a live early Even without a time limit, TikTok can end a stream for other reasons: - **Internet drop**: any disconnection over a few seconds will close the live - **Inactivity**: very low viewer count and no creator activity for extended periods can trigger an automatic close - **TOS violations**: real-time moderation can shut down a stream for nudity, violence, hate speech, or copyrighted music - **Device crash or battery**: phone-side issues end the broadcast immediately These are not time limits, but they are practical ceilings. ## Average TikTok live duration Most lives last 30 minutes to 2 hours. Talking-style lives, Q&As, and reaction streams cluster around 1 hour. Music lives and gaming streams trend longer, often 3 to 4 hours. Only a small fraction run past 6 hours. ## How long can you keep recording? If you use [TikRec](/) to record automatically, the recording matches the live duration. There is no cap on the recording side. If a creator goes 18 hours, TikRec records 18 hours and delivers the MP4 to your Telegram. Long recordings get split into 2GB parts on Telegram (the upload limit), but everything is delivered. ## Watching long recordings Telegram lets you scrub a video without downloading the full file. A 6-hour MP4 starts playing within a few seconds of pressing play, even on mobile data. If you need to download the full file, Telegram's download speed is unlimited and works over Wi-Fi or LTE. ## Why duration matters for the recorder Two practical effects of long lives: 1. **File size**. A 4-hour live in HD is 1.5 to 3 GB. Most user devices can handle this, but plan for storage. 2. **Battery / heat**. If you self-host a recording (running OBS or a local CLI tool), 6+ hours of capture will drain laptop battery and heat the GPU. Cloud recording avoids this entirely. ## Special cases - **Subathons**: chained donations extend live time. Some creators run 48-hour subathons. - **Charity streams**: similar pattern, charity goals extend duration. - **24-hour challenges**: trending format. Recordings of these are popular in the [TikRec archive](/latest). --- ### How to Share a TikTok Live Recording URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/how-to-share-tiktok-live-recording Published: 2026-05-01 Category: Guide TL;DR: Telegram forwarding is the fastest way to share a TikRec recording. Export the MP4 first if sending outside Telegram. Avoid public reuploads to YouTube or Instagram: copyright belongs to the creator. You recorded a TikTok live. Now you want to send it to a friend. Here is how, depending on where the recording lives and where it needs to go. ## If you used TikRec (Telegram-delivered) The recording is already a Telegram message in your chat with `@tikrec_live_bot`. You have several options. ### Forward to one person or group Tap and hold the video message, select "Forward", pick the chat. Telegram does not re-upload; the video is referenced from your chat to theirs. Instant, no quality loss, free. ### Save to your phone Tap the video, hit the download icon. The MP4 saves to your camera roll. Now share it via WhatsApp, iMessage, AirDrop, or any normal sharing. ### Public Telegram channel If you run a Telegram channel, forward the recording there. Channels are public and indexable, so anyone with the link can watch. ## If you used OBS or screen recording You have an MP4 on your disk. Standard sharing applies: - AirDrop to nearby Apple devices - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive: upload, share link - WeTransfer, Smash: large file transfer (often 2GB+ for live recordings) - USB transfer to another device For files over 100MB, file transfer services or cloud storage work better than direct messaging apps. ## File size considerations Live recordings are large. A 1-hour HD live is around 600 MB. WhatsApp caps at 100 MB per file. iMessage handles up to 100 MB through SMS but allows larger via iCloud. Telegram has no practical limit. If your recording is too big to send directly: 1. Compress with HandBrake (free): re-encode at 1 Mbps, drops file size by half 2. Trim to highlight clips: most lives have a few key moments worth sharing 3. Upload to a cloud service and share the link ## Sharing a clip, not the full recording Often you want to share a 30-second moment, not 2 hours. Options: - **iOS / Android trim**: built-in video editor lets you cut start and end - **iMovie / CapCut**: more control, multiple cuts - **TikTok itself**: post the clip back to TikTok as a regular video (keeping context that it was a live moment) Clipping reduces file size dramatically: a 30-second 720p clip is around 5 MB. ## What you should not do Reuploading someone else's live recording to a public platform without permission is copyright infringement. The creator owns the performance. Specifically avoid: - Reuploading to YouTube as your own - Posting to Instagram Reels claiming credit - Selling or monetizing the recording - Using it to harass or expose the creator Read the legality breakdown: [Is recording a TikTok live legal?](/blog/is-recording-tiktok-live-legal). ## Privacy tips - Forward only to people the creator would be comfortable seeing it - Avoid sharing recordings of minors widely - If the creator deletes their account or asks for the recording to be removed, respect that ## Best practice flow 1. Add creators to your TikRec watchlist 2. Recordings arrive in Telegram automatically 3. Forward interesting ones to a private group of friends 4. Export and trim if you want a clip for personal social media This keeps everything inside Telegram for storage and uses standard tools for occasional clips. --- ### Is Recording a TikTok Live Legal in 2026? URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/is-recording-tiktok-live-legal Published: 2026-05-01 Category: Guide TL;DR: Recording a TikTok live for personal viewing is legal in most countries. Redistributing it publicly without consent is not. Copyright belongs to the creator. Always avoid sharing copyrighted music separately from the original context. Short answer: yes, recording a TikTok live for personal use is legal in most jurisdictions. Redistributing the recording publicly without permission usually is not. The longer answer depends on three things: where you live, what you do with the recording, and whose copyright is involved. ## Personal viewing In the United States, the EU, the UK, and most other Western jurisdictions, recording a publicly broadcast stream for personal, non-commercial viewing is allowed under fair use or similar private-copy exceptions. This is the same legal principle that lets you record a TV broadcast on your DVR. You can record any public TikTok live and watch the saved MP4 at home, share it with friends 1-on-1, or keep an archive for personal reference. ## What changes if you redistribute The moment you publish the recording, things change. Reuploading a creator's TikTok live to YouTube, Instagram, or any public platform without permission is a copyright violation. The creator owns the performance, the audio, and the underlying video. This is true even if the live was free to watch. Public broadcast does not equal public domain. ## TikTok's Terms of Service TikTok's ToS prohibits scraping, automated downloading, and commercial use of user content without authorization. Personal recording is in a gray zone. TikTok does not actively enforce against it, but they reserve the right. Tools like [TikRec](/) record from the official live stream URL provided by TikTok's CDN, which is the same URL your browser would use to watch. There is no scraping or bypassing of paywalls. ## Music and copyright Most TikTok lives include music or copyrighted audio. If you redistribute a recording with that audio attached, you can get a DMCA takedown. Personal recording is fine. Reuploading anything with copyrighted music to a public platform invites strikes. ## Privacy considerations A TikTok live is a public broadcast. The creator chose to go live, knowing anyone could join. Recording does not violate their privacy in the legal sense. That said, two things are still off-limits even for personal use: - recording private rooms or paid lives without authorization (these are not public) - using the recording to harass, dox, or threaten the creator ## What about minors? Lives by minors are still public broadcasts. The legal rules are the same. The ethical rules are stricter. If you record a live by a minor, do not share it. Keep it private or delete it. ## Practical guidelines - Record any public TikTok live for your own viewing: legal - Share with friends in DMs or private groups: gray, generally tolerated - Reupload to YouTube or other public platforms: not legal without permission - Use the recording to harass the creator: illegal regardless ## How TikRec handles this TikRec records public TikTok lives at the source and delivers MP4s privately to your Telegram. The recording is yours, stored in your private Telegram chat. You can rewatch, share with friends, or delete it. TikRec does not host recordings publicly. There is no public web player. The web archive only shows thumbnails and metadata, not the actual video. The video itself only opens inside Telegram for users who have it. If a creator asks for a recording to be removed, contact us at support@tikrec.com and we will pull the metadata page. --- ### Record TikTok Live in HD: Quality Settings URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tiktok-live-recording-hd-quality Published: 2026-05-01 Category: Guide TL;DR: TikTok lives broadcast at 720p source with adaptive bitrate. Cloud recording (TikRec) captures the original stream at full quality. Screen recording on phone caps at your screen resolution and adds compression artifacts. The recording quality of a TikTok live depends on two things: what TikTok sends, and how you capture it. ## What TikTok sends TikTok streams lives at: - **Resolution**: 540p or 720p depending on the creator's plan and connection - **Frame rate**: 24-30fps - **Codec**: H.264 baseline profile - **Bitrate**: adaptive, typically 1.5 to 3 Mbps for 720p This is the source quality. No recorder can do better than this. The question is how close to source you can stay. ## Source recording (cloud) Cloud recorders like [TikRec](/) connect to the TikTok live URL and download the raw stream. The MP4 you receive is bit-for-bit the same data TikTok broadcast. No re-encoding, no quality loss. You get: - Original 720p resolution (when the stream is 720p) - Original 30fps - Original audio bitrate - Clean video without TikTok's app overlays, gift animations, or chat This is the highest possible quality. ## Screen recording (phone) Phone screen recording captures whatever your screen shows. This means: - Resolution caps at your screen resolution (usually 1080p+ on phones, but the stream itself is only 720p, so you're upscaling) - Frame rate caps at your phone's recorder setting (often 30 or 60fps) - Bitrate is decided by the phone's encoder, often 5-8 Mbps - The capture includes everything: chat overlay, gifts, like animations, comment popups Screen recording uses more storage for less video quality. The encoder runs on your phone and adds compression. The visual content is still 720p source, just blown up to your screen and re-compressed. ## Screen recording (desktop with OBS) OBS recording from a browser window: - Resolution depends on the window size (full screen + 1080p gives a sharper render) - Frame rate: configurable, often 30fps to match source - Bitrate: configurable, often 4-8 Mbps for visually lossless - Still includes browser chrome, chat overlay, etc Better than phone screen recording but still lossy due to re-encoding from screen pixels back to video file. ## Which method gives the best quality? MethodResolutionRe-encoded?UI overlays Cloud (TikRec)720p sourceNoNo OBS desktopup to 1080pYesYes Phone screen recordingup to 1080pYesYes Cloud wins on actual video data quality. Screen recordings have higher numerical resolution but the underlying detail is the same 720p stream upscaled and re-compressed. ## What about 1080p TikTok lives? A small number of verified creators get 1080p broadcast on TikTok. If a creator streams in 1080p, TikRec captures 1080p source. Screen recording captures whatever your screen shows. ## Audio quality TikTok streams audio at 64-96 kbps AAC. All recording methods preserve this. There is no difference in audio between cloud and screen recording, since none of them re-process audio aggressively. ## Practical tips - If you want a clean MP4 for archiving or rewatching: use cloud recording - If you want to capture the live experience including chat and gifts: use phone screen recording - If you want desktop control: use OBS, set the bitrate to 6 Mbps, frame rate to 30fps ## How to start [TikRec](/) does cloud recording for free. Add any TikTok creator to your watchlist via the [Telegram bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) and recordings arrive automatically. --- ### Best App to Record TikTok Lives Privately URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/best-app-to-record-tiktok-lives-privately Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Comparison TL;DR: If private recording means not joining the live with your own device, cloud recorders beat screen recording. TikRec is the best fit for Telegram-first users, while GREC is stronger for app-first users. If you want to record TikTok lives privately, there is one thing that matters more than any feature list: **Does the recording happen without your account joining the live on your own device?** That is the real dividing line. Phone screen recording and OBS do not notify the creator that you are recording, but they still require you to open the live yourself. A cloud recorder changes that workflow completely. ## Short answer The best app to record TikTok lives privately is: - **TikRec** if you want the recording sent to Telegram - **GREC** if you want a more app-first mobile experience - **not** a screen recorder, if privacy is the main goal ## What "privately" actually means People usually mean one of two things: 1. **TikTok should not notify the creator that I recorded the live** 2. **I do not want my account visibly sitting in the live while the recording happens** The first point is easy. TikTok does not send a recording notification for normal live screen recording. The second point is where tool choice matters. ## Why screen recording is weak for private recording If you use: - iPhone screen recording - Android screen recording - OBS on desktop you still have to open the live and let it play. That means: - your account can still appear in the viewer list - you need to be there in real time - the recording includes the app or browser layer For a one-off capture, that may be acceptable. For privacy-sensitive use, it is not the cleanest option. ## Why cloud recording is better Cloud recording does not depend on your phone or desktop actively watching the stream. That gives you the private behavior people usually want: - no need to sit in the live yourself - no manual start - no on-screen UI capture - no battery drain or local session management ## Best apps for private TikTok live recording AppBest forMain trade-off TikRecPrivate recording with Telegram deliveryLess app-style replay UX GRECPrivate recording with app-first mobile flowSubscription-oriented product LiveRecReplay-heavy app usersPublic positioning is less centered on privacy than GREC OBS / phone recorderManual capture onlyYou still join the live yourself ## Why TikRec is the best private option for Telegram users TikRec is the best choice if your ideal workflow is: - add creator once - let the live be recorded automatically - receive the MP4 in Telegram That is powerful because the product disappears into the routine. You do not need another replay app just to receive the file. ### TikRec works best when: - you already use Telegram a lot - you care more about getting the file than browsing inside an app - you want future watchlist recordings for free - you only want to pay when you need an older archive video ## Why GREC may be better for some users GREC is the stronger fit if you want privacy plus a broader app product around it. Its public positioning is strong around: - "private viewing" - native app flow - older live history unlocks - app-based replay consumption If you want private recording but also expect to spend time inside a replay app, GREC is a serious option. ## Verdict If you want the best app to record TikTok lives privately and your preferred delivery channel is Telegram, choose **TikRec**. If you want the best app to record TikTok lives privately and you prefer a dedicated mobile app, choose **GREC**. If you just need a quick one-off capture and do not care about viewer visibility, screen recording is fine. It is just not the best private workflow. ## Start with the lower-friction option 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let TikRec record the next live automatically For the underlying explanation, read [Does TikTok Notify When You Record a Live?](/blog/does-tiktok-notify-when-you-record-a-live) and [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec). --- ### Best App to Rewatch TikTok Lives URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/best-app-to-rewatch-tiktok-lives Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Comparison TL;DR: LiveRec and GREC are strong if you want app-style replay browsing. TikRec is the better choice if you want to catch future lives automatically and receive recordings on Telegram. If your goal is to **rewatch TikTok lives after they end**, you are really choosing between two product styles: - a replay app - a recording delivery workflow Both can work. They just solve different habits. ## Short answer The best app to rewatch TikTok lives is: - **LiveRec** if you want a replay-first mobile app with clipping and playback features - **GREC** if you want a replay app with stronger privacy and broader app positioning - **TikRec** if you want future lives recorded automatically and delivered to Telegram ## What matters most for rewatching A rewatch product is only useful if one of these is true: 1. the live was already recorded before it disappeared 2. the creator is on your future auto-record watchlist So the best rewatch app is not only about player UI. It is also about how reliably it gets the recording in the first place. ## Best apps to rewatch TikTok lives AppBest forMain trade-off LiveRecReplay browsing, clipping, playback toolsSubscription-style app workflow GRECReplay app with privacy-focused positioningMore app-centric than delivery-centric TikRecTelegram delivery and creator watchlistsLess in-app replay tooling StreamRecorderMulti-platform replay needsBroader than most TikTok-only users need ## Why LiveRec is strong for rewatching LiveRec's public positioning is very replay-oriented. It emphasizes: - hundreds of thousands of past lives - clipping - likes and bookmarks - playback speed - zoom and in-app consumption If your main behavior is "I missed the live, now I want the best replay experience," LiveRec is a strong fit. ## Why GREC is also a strong replay option GREC is also strong if rewatching is your main use case, especially if you care about: - private-viewing messaging - older live history framing - a more subscription-style replay product It sits close to LiveRec for this intent, but with somewhat different positioning. ## Why TikRec can still be the best choice TikRec is not the most replay-featured app. That is not what it is trying to be. TikRec is the best choice if your real problem is: - "I do not want to miss the next live" - "I want the recording to arrive automatically" - "I want the MP4 in Telegram" That means TikRec is often the better long-term answer even if another app has a richer replay player. Why? Because the easiest live to rewatch is the one that was already delivered to you. ## Replay app vs delivery workflow This is the real split. ### Choose a replay app if: - you spend time browsing old lives - you want clipping and playback controls - you want the product to feel like a media app ### Choose TikRec if: - you mainly follow specific creators - you want future lives saved automatically - you care more about acquisition and delivery than replay features - you already use Telegram ## Verdict If you want the **best app to rewatch TikTok lives** as a replay product, **LiveRec** is one of the strongest fits. If you want the **best system to make sure you can rewatch the lives you care about later**, **TikRec** is often the better practical choice. That sounds subtle, but it is a big difference. Replay products help you consume missed content. TikRec helps you avoid missing it in the first place. ## Start with the creator-first workflow 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let TikRec record the next live and deliver it to Telegram If you are dealing with a missed replay right now, also read [TikTok Live Replay Not Available](/blog/tiktok-live-replay-not-available) and [Can You Watch Deleted TikTok Lives?](/blog/can-you-watch-deleted-tiktok-lives). --- ### Best App to Save Someone Else's TikTok Live URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/best-app-to-save-someone-elses-tiktok-live Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Comparison TL;DR: TikRec is the best app to save someone else's TikTok live if you want future watchlist recordings for free and MP4 delivery to Telegram. GREC and LiveRec are stronger if you want a dedicated replay app. If you want to save someone else's TikTok live, the hard part is not downloading the file after the fact. The hard part is making sure the live gets recorded while it is still happening. That is why the best apps are not just "downloaders." They are automatic recorders. ## Short answer The best app to save someone else's TikTok live is: - **TikRec** if you want the recording sent to Telegram and future watchlist recording for free - **GREC** if you want an app-first recorder with replay-history positioning - **LiveRec** if you want app-style replay browsing and clipping Manual screen recording is still useful for one-off situations, but it is not the best long-term option. ## What makes an app good for this use case Saving someone else's TikTok live is different from saving a normal TikTok video. The app needs to handle: - live-only content - unpredictable start times - creators who may never post replays - streams that disappear once they end That makes automatic cloud recording much more valuable than traditional download tools. ## Best apps to save someone else's TikTok live AppBest forMain trade-off TikRecFuture creator watchlists and Telegram deliveryLess replay-app surface area GRECApp-first auto-recording with archive positioningPremium and unlock flow are more app-centric LiveRecReplay-heavy mobile use and clippingMore monthly-app style than simple delivery Screen recordingOne-off manual savesYou must be there for the whole live ## Why TikRec is the best fit for many users TikRec is strongest when your behavior looks like this: - there are specific creators you care about - you do not want to miss their next live - you want the recording to arrive automatically - you do not want another full replay app unless necessary That is a very common user profile, and TikRec fits it well. ### TikRec advantages - future watchlist recordings are free - recordings arrive as MP4 in Telegram - no need to babysit the stream live - older archive recordings can be unlocked only when you want them This is a better value proposition than paying a recurring plan immediately if you mainly care about a small set of creators. ## Why GREC or LiveRec may still be better for some users GREC and LiveRec are stronger when the replay layer is part of what you are buying. That includes people who want: - more app-native browsing - more consumption features - a fuller replay library experience - clipping or richer playback controls If you expect to spend a lot of time exploring old lives in a dedicated app, those products may fit better than TikRec. ## Why manual recording is not the best app answer A lot of people still try to solve this with phone screen recording. That works only if: - you are already watching - you do not miss the start - you do not need the whole file cleanly That is too fragile for the "someone else's live" use case. The better solution is a recorder that can catch the live without you being there. ## Verdict If you want the **best app to save someone else's TikTok live** and you care most about actually receiving the recording, choose **TikRec**. If you want the **best app to browse and replay saved TikTok lives** in a more app-like environment, compare **GREC** and **LiveRec**. ## Best next step 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let TikRec save the next live automatically For the broader method breakdown, read [How to Save Someone Else's TikTok Live Stream as MP4](/blog/save-tiktok-live-stream) and [Best TikTok Live Recorder Apps in 2026](/blog/best-tiktok-live-recorder-apps). --- ### Best TikTok Live Recorder Apps in 2026 URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/best-tiktok-live-recorder-apps Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Comparison TL;DR: TikRec is the best fit for Telegram-first users who want future watchlist recordings for free. GREC is strongest for app-first users, LiveRec for replay and clipping, StreamRecorder for multi-platform needs, and OBS for manual desktop capture. The best TikTok live recorder is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that fits how you actually save lives. Some people want a replay app. Some want a Telegram bot. Some want a multi-platform dashboard. Some just want to screen record a live they are already watching. This guide compares the practical options that matter in **2026**. ## Quick ranking by use case ### Best for Telegram users: TikRec Best if you want: - automatic TikTok live recording - MP4 delivery to Telegram - free watchlist recordings for future lives - optional pay-per-recording access for older archive videos TikRec is not trying to be everything. It is trying to be the fastest path from creator watchlist to delivered recording. ### Best for app-first users: GREC Best if you want: - native app experience - private-viewing positioning - older live history unlocks - broader consumer replay product As of April 27, 2026, GREC's public pages position it heavily around app UX, replay history, private viewing, and automatic cloud recording. ### Best for replay features and clipping: LiveRec Best if you want: - clipping tools - bookmarks and likes - variable playback speed - a more feature-rich app for replay consumption LiveRec is stronger when the replay experience itself matters as much as the recording. ### Best for multi-platform recording: StreamRecorder Best if you want: - TikTok plus Twitch, Kick, AfreecaTV and others - a broader web VOD platform - one place to manage several streaming ecosystems This is the strongest option here if TikTok is only one of several platforms you follow. ### Best free manual desktop method: OBS Best if you want: - local control - no subscription - a desktop workflow But OBS is manual. It is not the right answer if the creator goes live randomly and you are not around when it starts. ### Best built-in manual method: phone screen recording Best if you want: - a one-off capture - zero setup - a short clip from a live you are already watching It is still the weakest option for full live capture because the entire method depends on your screen being on and the live still running. ## Best TikTok live recorder apps comparison ToolBest forMain trade-off TikRecTelegram-first auto-recordingLess app-style replay UX GRECApp-first recording and replaySubscription-oriented, app-centric workflow LiveRecReplay browsing and clippingMonthly creator-slot pricing StreamRecorderMulti-platform recordingBroader product than many TikTok-only users need OBSManual desktop captureNeeds your computer and your time Phone screen recorderQuick one-off clipsBattery drain, overlays, one stream at a time ## Best choice for most people For most people, there are really only three serious paths: - TikRec - GREC - LiveRec The others are situational. ### Choose TikRec if you want simplicity TikRec is the best choice if your mental model is: - "I follow a few creators" - "I want future lives recorded automatically" - "I want the MP4 sent to me" - "I do not want another full app workflow unless I need it" That makes TikRec especially strong for Telegram users and for people who care more about **delivery** than **replay browsing**. ### Choose GREC if you want a full app ecosystem GREC is the strongest fit if you want: - app-centered recording - replay history positioning - private-viewing messaging - broader mobile-product depth ### Choose LiveRec if you care about replay features LiveRec is the better fit if you want: - clipping - browsing and discovery - bookmarks - richer playback controls ## Best choice by scenario ScenarioBest option I want the recording sent to TelegramTikRec I want a full app for replay browsingGREC or LiveRec I want clipping and replay toolsLiveRec I need Twitch and other platforms tooStreamRecorder I only need one manual desktop recordingOBS I just need a quick clip while watchingPhone screen recording ## Final recommendation If you want the best **overall** TikTok live recorder for a Telegram-first workflow, choose **TikRec**. If you want the best **app-first** TikTok live recorder, start with **GREC**. If you want the best **replay-consumption and clipping** tool, look at **LiveRec**. If you want the best **multi-platform** recorder, choose **StreamRecorder**. ## Start with the simplest setup If your only real goal is "don't let me miss this creator again," the fastest test is TikRec: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Wait for the next live to arrive as MP4 in Telegram For direct comparisons, read [TikRec vs GREC](/blog/tikrec-vs-grec), [TikRec vs LiveRec](/blog/tikrec-vs-liverec), and [TikRec vs StreamRecorder](/blog/tikrec-vs-streamrecorder). --- ### Can You Watch Deleted TikTok Lives? URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/can-you-watch-deleted-tiktok-lives Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Guide TL;DR: You usually cannot watch a deleted TikTok live replay from TikTok itself. The practical workaround is a prior recording. TikRec can auto-record future lives and sometimes past deleted lives are still available in the archive if they were captured in time. Usually, no. If a TikTok live is deleted after it ends, or if the creator never posts a replay at all, TikTok does not give viewers a backup way to rewatch it. That is why people search for deleted live replays after the fact. The problem is that by the time you start looking, the content may already be gone for good. ## What "deleted TikTok live" usually means People use this phrase for a few different situations: - the creator ended the live and never posted a replay - the creator posted a replay, then removed it - the replay expired or is no longer visible - TikTok took the replay down In all four cases, the result for the viewer is the same: the live is not available anymore inside TikTok. ## Can TikTok restore it for you? For ordinary viewers, no. TikTok does not offer a public archive where you can reopen another person's deleted live replay. If the creator removes it, viewers do not get a recovery button. ## The only practical way to watch a deleted TikTok live Someone must have recorded it **while the live was happening**. That can happen in three ways: 1. the creator recorded it themselves 2. a viewer screen-recorded it manually 3. a cloud recorder captured it automatically in real time If no recording exists, there is usually nothing to recover later. ## Why manual recording is unreliable for this problem Manual recording only works if someone was present at the right time and remembered to start recording. That means: - late-night lives are often missed - the beginning of the live may be missing - the person recording may stop early - the final file may include chat overlays and UI For deleted replays, that is not ideal. You want a system that records first and asks questions later. ## How TikRec helps [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) is designed for exactly this category of problem: content that disappears when the live ends. ### Two ways TikRec helps **Future lives** Add a creator to your watchlist with `/watch username`. When they go live next time, TikRec records automatically and sends the MP4 to Telegram. **Past lives** If a past live was already captured by someone else's watchlist, it may still be available in the [TikRec archive](/latest). That gives you a second chance even if you were not there live yourself. ## What if the live is already gone? Then the answer becomes: - if TikRec or another recorder captured it already, you may still be able to watch it - if nobody captured it, it is likely gone That is why the best time to solve this problem is **before** the next live happens. ## Best strategy if you follow a creator often Do not wait until you miss a live. Put the creator on auto-record. That is the only repeatable way to avoid the deleted-replay problem. ## Quick comparison ScenarioCan you watch it later? Creator keeps replay live on TikTokYes Creator deletes replay, nobody recorded itUsually no Replay deleted, but someone recorded it manuallyMaybe Replay deleted, but TikRec already captured itYes, if available in archive or your Telegram ## Practical answer If you are searching for a deleted TikTok live after the fact, there is no guaranteed official replay path. The practical workaround is recording. For future lives, that means putting the creator on TikRec now instead of hoping the replay stays up later. ## Start before the next live disappears 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let TikRec record the next live automatically You can also check [latest recordings](/latest) or browse the [creator archive](/creators) to see whether the deleted live you wanted was already captured. --- ### Does TikTok Notify When You Record a Live? URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/does-tiktok-notify-when-you-record-a-live Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Guide TL;DR: TikTok does not send a notification when you record a live. The real difference is visibility: screen recording requires you to join the live, while TikRec records in the cloud and does not put your account in the viewer list. If you screen record someone's TikTok live, does TikTok tell them? Short answer: **no**. TikTok does not send a notification to creators when you record a live stream. That is the simple part. The part people usually mix up is visibility. TikTok may not notify the creator that you're recording, but if you open the live in the app, your account can still show up as a viewer. That is different from a recording notification. ## What TikTok does not do As of 2026, TikTok does **not**: - send a "user X is recording your live" alert - show a special icon when someone starts a screen recording - email or message creators after a viewer records a live If you use your phone's built-in screen recorder, the creator does not get a direct alert. ## What creators can still see Creators can still see normal public live activity: - that you joined the live - that you liked the live - that you commented - that you sent gifts So the question is not just "does TikTok notify them?" The better question is: **Do you need to open the live with your own account to make the recording happen?** If the answer is yes, then your account may still be visible in the viewer list even though no recording notification is sent. ## Screen recording vs cloud recording This is where the methods split. MethodRecording notification?Viewer visibility? iPhone or Android screen recordingNoUsually yes, because you opened the live OBS on desktopNoUsually yes, because you opened the live in browser TikRec cloud recordingNoNo account join needed With [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), the recording is started from the server side after you add a creator to your watchlist. You do not need to open TikTok and sit in the live yourself. That means there is no viewer footprint from your account during recording. ## Does TikTok notify for screenshots or replay saves? For live streams, the concern people usually have is recording, not screenshots. TikTok changes product behavior over time, but the common issue here is still the same: creators may see that you are present in the live, not that you saved it. If your goal is to keep a live without participating publicly, the cleanest path is not a screen recorder. It is a cloud recorder that captures the stream without your phone being involved. ## When screen recording is fine Screen recording is fine when: - you are already watching the live - you only need a short section - you do not care whether your account appears in the viewer list - you are okay with chat overlays and app UI in the video For one-off moments, that is often enough. ## When cloud recording is better Cloud recording is better when: - you want the full live as MP4 - you do not want to stay in the app for the entire stream - the creator goes live at random times - you want a clean file without UI overlays - you want to avoid showing up in the live from your own device That is exactly the use case TikRec is built for. ## Practical answer If your question is literally "does TikTok notify when I record a live?", the answer is **no**. If your real question is "can I save a TikTok live without the creator seeing my account join the live?", then screen recording is not the right method. A cloud recorder is. ## How to save a TikTok live without recording it on your phone 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) on Telegram 2. Send `/watch username` 3. TikRec monitors the creator and records when they go live 4. The MP4 arrives in Telegram when the live ends If you want the broader overview, read [How to Record a TikTok Live Stream in 2026](/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live) or browse [latest recordings](/latest) to see how the archive works. --- ### How to Record TikTok Live on Android URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live-on-android Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Guide TL;DR: Android lets you screen record TikTok lives with native tools or third-party apps, but you still need to watch the whole live. TikRec is the better option if you want automatic recording and Telegram delivery. Android gives you more screen recording options than iPhone, but the core limitation is the same: if you record the live on your phone, you need to keep the live running on your screen the entire time. That works for short lives. It is a poor setup for full sessions, random late-night streams, or multiple creators. ## Method 1: Use Android's built-in screen recorder Most modern Android phones include a native screen recorder. ### Typical steps 1. Open TikTok and join the live 2. Swipe down to open Quick Settings 3. Tap **Screen Record** 4. Choose whether to capture audio 5. Start recording 6. Stop when the live ends Your video will save to the gallery or file manager, depending on the device. ## Why people use this method - it is already on the phone - no setup beyond one tap - good for a quick live clip - easy for casual use ## Why it breaks down - you must keep watching - notifications can appear in the recording - long lives drain battery - storage fills up fast - TikTok overlays stay in the file - you can only record one live at a time ## Method 2: Use a third-party Android recorder Apps like XRecorder or AZ Screen Recorder can give you a floating toolbar, trimming tools, and more capture controls. That can be useful, but it does **not** solve the core problem. You are still screen recording. The live still has to stay on the display. So these apps are better than the stock recorder in convenience, not in workflow. ## Method 3: Use cloud recording instead of screen recording If your real goal is "I want the live saved even when I am not watching," screen recording is the wrong category of tool. With [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), you add a creator to your watchlist in Telegram and the live gets recorded automatically in the cloud. The finished MP4 shows up in Telegram when the stream ends. ### How to use it 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. TikRec monitors the creator 4. The next live is delivered as MP4 This is the better Android workflow if: - the creator goes live when you are asleep - you want clean recordings without app UI - you follow more than one creator - you do not want to leave your phone tied up for hours ## Android recorder vs TikRec FeatureAndroid screen recordingTikRec Need to watch live in real timeYesNo Battery usage on your phoneHigh for long livesNone during recording Multiple creatorsNoYes Clean MP4 without overlaysNoYes Works when phone is offNoYes ## Which method should you choose? Choose Android screen recording if: - you only need a quick clip - you are already watching the live - you do not mind the UI being visible Choose TikRec if: - you want the whole live - you want future lives saved automatically - you want a cleaner file - you follow creators who go live unpredictably ## Best Android workflow for recurring creators If the same creators go live often, do not keep recording manually every time. Put them on a watchlist once and let the recorder run automatically. That is the real upgrade: less manual effort, fewer missed lives, cleaner output. ## Start from Android You can start on Android without installing a special recorder: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Wait for the next live 4. Get the MP4 in Telegram If you also record from desktop, read [OBS vs Cloud TikTok Live Recorder](/blog/obs-vs-cloud-tiktok-live-recorder). --- ### How to Record TikTok Live on iPhone URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live-on-iphone Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Guide TL;DR: On iPhone, you can record a TikTok live with the built-in screen recorder, but you need to watch the full stream and you'll capture the app UI. TikRec is the better option if you want automatic recording and MP4 delivery on Telegram. If you want to record a TikTok live on iPhone, the fastest method is Apple's built-in screen recorder. It works, but it has limits. You need to keep the live open the whole time, your battery drains, and the final video includes TikTok's interface. For short clips, that may be fine. For full live streams, it gets tedious fast. Here are the three methods that actually make sense on iPhone. ## Method 1: Use the iPhone screen recorder This is the native option built into iOS. ### How to turn it on 1. Open **Settings** 2. Go to **Control Center** 3. Add **Screen Recording** Once it is in Control Center: 1. Open TikTok and join the live 2. Swipe down from the top-right corner 3. Tap the **Screen Recording** button 4. Wait for the countdown 5. Let the live play 6. Stop recording when the stream ends The file is saved in the Photos app. ## Pros of the iPhone method - no extra app needed - easy to use - good for quick clips - works immediately ## Cons of the iPhone method - you must keep the stream open the whole time - calls, notifications, and accidental touches can ruin the recording - long lives consume battery and storage - the file includes chat, buttons, and TikTok UI - you only capture what your screen is showing If the live lasts 90 minutes, your iPhone is tied up for 90 minutes. ## Method 2: Record the replay if the creator posts one Some creators save a replay after the live ends. If that happens, you can open the replay later and record it on your own schedule. The problem is reliability: - many creators never post replays - some replays disappear quickly - some replays are edited or incomplete You cannot depend on this if you really need the recording. ## Method 3: Use automatic cloud recording If you want the recording without babysitting your phone, use a cloud recorder. With [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), you do not record the screen on your iPhone at all. You add a creator to your watchlist in Telegram, and the live is recorded automatically on the server side. When the live ends, the MP4 is delivered to your Telegram chat. ### How it works 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Wait for the creator to go live 4. Receive the MP4 automatically in Telegram This is much better if: - the creator goes live unpredictably - you want full recordings, not short clips - you do not want your iPhone occupied for hours - you want a clean MP4 without on-screen UI ## iPhone screen recording vs TikRec FeatureiPhone screen recorderTikRec Works automaticallyNoYes Needs your phone onYesNo Includes TikTok UIYesNo Good for multiple creatorsNoYes Delivered as MP4Saved locallySent to Telegram ## Best method for most iPhone users If you only want to save a short moment from a live you are already watching, use the built-in iPhone recorder. If you want to save full TikTok lives regularly, use TikRec. It removes the main friction points: - no battery drain - no missed late-night lives - no need to stay in the app - no messy UI in the recording ## Start recording TikTok lives from iPhone You can start from your iPhone without installing anything: 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) in Telegram 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Receive the next live as MP4 For Android users, see [How to Record TikTok Live on Android](/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live-on-android). For the broader comparison, read [How to Record a TikTok Live Stream in 2026](/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live). --- ### OBS vs Cloud TikTok Live Recorder URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/obs-vs-cloud-tiktok-live-recorder Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Comparison TL;DR: OBS gives you local control, but it is manual and requires your computer to stay on. TikRec cloud recording is better if you want automatic capture, multiple creators, and MP4 delivery to Telegram. If you want to save TikTok lives, OBS sounds attractive at first. It is free, flexible, and widely used for recording video. But TikTok live recording has a different set of constraints than normal screen capture. The question is not just "can OBS record it?" The question is: **Do you want to manually run a desktop capture workflow every time, or do you want the live saved automatically whether you are there or not?** That is the real difference between OBS and a cloud recorder like TikRec. ## What OBS does well OBS Studio is a strong tool when you want local control. ### OBS advantages - free and open-source - fine-grained control over bitrate, format, and scenes - works well for long local recordings - useful if you already have a desktop capture setup If you are already sitting at your computer and the creator is live right now, OBS can absolutely do the job. ## Where OBS becomes annoying for TikTok lives TikTok lives often start unpredictably. That is where OBS loses. ### OBS drawbacks for TikTok live recording - you need to know the live is happening - you still need to open the live manually - your computer must stay on - you need to start and stop recordings yourself - if several creators go live at once, the workflow gets messy - local storage grows quickly OBS is a good recorder. It is not a good automatic watchlist system by itself. ## What cloud recording changes Cloud recording removes the device from the loop. With [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), you add creators to a watchlist once. TikRec checks when they go live, records automatically, then sends the MP4 to Telegram. That changes the experience in three big ways: - you do not need your computer on - you do not need to be present at start time - you do not need to manage files locally ## OBS vs TikRec side by side FeatureOBSTikRec Automatic start when creator goes liveNoYes Requires your device runningYesNo Clean source captureDepends on setupYes Local file managementYesNo, delivered to Telegram Good for multiple creatorsNot reallyYes Best forHands-on desktop usersAutomatic watchlist recording ## When OBS is the right choice Use OBS if: - you want full control over local encoding - you are already on desktop - you are recording a live that is happening right now - you prefer managing your own files This is also reasonable if you already run the open-source [TikTok Live Recorder CLI](/blog/tiktok-live-recorder-open-source) or other local tooling and want a custom workflow. ## When a cloud recorder is the right choice Use TikRec if: - you want creators monitored automatically - you do not want to miss the live while offline - you follow multiple creators - you want the MP4 sent directly to Telegram - you want the simplest possible setup ## Reliability matters more than settings The hidden trap with OBS is that it looks powerful because it exposes many settings. But for this use case, settings are not the hard part. Reliability is. If the creator goes live while you are asleep, no bitrate preset helps. That is why cloud recording wins for most repeat use cases. The workflow is designed around not being there. ## Practical recommendation For one live you are actively watching at your desk, OBS is fine. For recurring creators, surprise live sessions, and full archive building, TikRec is the better tool. It solves the real operational problem, not just the video capture problem. ## Start with the lower-friction option 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Let TikRec handle the next live automatically If you are deciding between phone recording and cloud recording instead, read [How to Record TikTok Live on iPhone](/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live-on-iphone) or [How to Record TikTok Live on Android](/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live-on-android). --- ### TikTok Live Replay Not Available: What to Do URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tiktok-live-replay-not-available Published: 2026-04-27 Category: Guide TL;DR: When a TikTok live replay is not available, viewers usually cannot force TikTok to show it. The practical fix is to record future lives automatically with TikRec, and check whether the missed live was already captured in the archive. You open TikTok hoping to rewatch a live you missed, and the replay is not there. Sometimes the creator never posted one. Sometimes it was removed. Sometimes it was visible earlier and then disappeared. In all cases, the result is the same: **TikTok live replay not available**. If you are a viewer, there is usually no hidden setting that brings it back. ## Why a TikTok live replay may not be available Common reasons: - the creator chose not to publish a replay - the replay was deleted later - the replay expired or was limited - TikTok removed it - you are looking for someone else's live, not your own From the viewer side, TikTok does not offer a dependable public replay library for other people's live streams. ## Can you fix it inside TikTok? Usually no. You can: - check the creator's profile again later - ask the creator whether they saved the replay - look for clips or reposts elsewhere But if the replay itself is unavailable, TikTok does not give viewers a direct recovery flow. ## What actually works The only reliable answer is to make sure the live gets recorded while it is still happening. That can be: - manual phone screen recording - OBS on desktop - automatic cloud recording For future lives, the last option is the one that scales. ## Why waiting for replays is fragile Replay-based viewing has two problems: 1. you depend on the creator to save it 2. you depend on the replay staying available That is a weak workflow if you follow creators who go live often or unpredictably. ## Better workflow: record the live before replay becomes a problem With [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot), you do not wait to see whether a replay appears. You add the creator to your watchlist, and TikRec records when they go live. After the stream ends, the MP4 is delivered to Telegram. ### Why this is better - no dependence on TikTok replay availability - no dependence on creator behavior - no need to stay in the app while the live is running - cleaner file than screen capture ## What if you already missed the live? Then you have two realistic paths: ### 1. Check whether someone already recorded it If the live was captured from another user's watchlist, it may be present in the [TikRec archive](/latest) or on that creator's page in the [creator archive](/creators). ### 2. Prepare for the next one If the replay is truly unavailable, the best move is not refreshing the profile over and over. It is setting up automatic recording for the next live now. ## Replay not available vs deleted live These two searches are close, but not identical. - **Replay not available** usually means the viewer cannot access the replay now - **Deleted TikTok live** usually means the replay existed and was later removed In both cases, the real solution is the same: prior recording. ## Practical recommendation If you care about a creator's future lives, stop relying on replays. Replays are optional and unstable from the viewer side. Use TikRec as the default workflow and treat the replay as a bonus, not as the plan. ## Start before the next replay disappears 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) 2. Send `/watch username` 3. Get the next TikTok live as MP4 in Telegram If you are trying to recover something already gone, also read [Can You Watch Deleted TikTok Lives?](/blog/can-you-watch-deleted-tiktok-lives). --- ### How to Record a TikTok Live Stream in 2026 URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/how-to-record-tiktok-live Published: 2026-04-26 Category: Guide TL;DR: Three ways to record TikTok lives: screen recording (manual, low quality), OBS (manual, better quality), or TikRec cloud recording (automatic, original quality, delivered to Telegram). TikRec is free and works while you're offline. TikTok doesn't let you download live streams. Once a creator ends their live, the video is gone unless the creator saves a replay (and most don't). If you want to keep a recording, you need to capture it yourself. There are three practical ways to do this in 2026. Each has trade-offs in quality, convenience, and reliability. ## Method 1: Screen recording The simplest approach. Open the TikTok app, start a screen recorder on your phone (built into iOS and Android), and let it run. **How it works:** 1. Open TikTok and find the live stream 2. Start your phone's built-in screen recorder 3. Watch the entire live from start to finish 4. Stop recording when the stream ends **Pros:** - No extra software needed - Works on any phone - Captures exactly what you see **Drawbacks:** - You must watch the entire stream in real time - Recording stops if you switch apps or lock your phone - Quality is limited to your screen resolution - Chat overlays and UI elements get baked into the video - Uses your phone's storage and battery - You can't record streams you don't know about in advance Screen recording works for short streams you're already watching. For anything longer than 15-20 minutes, it becomes impractical. ## Method 2: OBS or desktop capture OBS Studio (free, open-source) can record your screen or capture a browser window. You open TikTok in a browser, set up OBS to record that window, and let it run. **How it works:** 1. Open the TikTok live in a desktop browser 2. Set up OBS to capture the browser window 3. Start recording in OBS 4. Stop when the stream ends **Pros:** - Higher quality than phone screen recording - More control over output format and bitrate - Free software **Drawbacks:** - Requires a desktop computer running the entire time - Still need to be present to start recording - Manual setup for each stream - Computer must stay awake and connected - Storage fills up fast with long streams OBS is a step up from phone screen recording, but still requires manual work and a dedicated machine. ## Method 3: Cloud recording with TikRec TikRec takes a different approach. Instead of recording your screen, it monitors TikTok directly and captures the live stream at the source using FFmpeg. The recording happens on a server, so you don't need to watch or have any device running. **How it works:** 1. Open [@tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) on Telegram 2. Send `/watch username` for any TikTok creator 3. TikRec monitors 24/7 and records when they go live 4. The finished MP4 lands in your Telegram chat automatically **Pros:** - Fully automatic, no need to watch or be online - Original stream quality (not a screen capture) - Records multiple creators simultaneously - Delivered as a clean MP4 without UI overlays - Telegram stores recordings forever - Works even when you're asleep or offline **Drawbacks:** - Requires a Telegram account - Detection takes up to 3 minutes after stream starts (first few minutes may be missed) ## Which method should you use? ScenarioBest method Quick clip from a stream you're watchingScreen recording Full recording with quality controlOBS Automatic recording of creators you followTikRec Recording while you're away from your phoneTikRec Multiple creators at the same timeTikRec For most people who want to save TikTok lives regularly, cloud recording is the practical choice. You set it up once and recordings appear in Telegram without any ongoing effort. ## Getting started with TikRec 1. Open [t.me/tikrec_live_bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) on Telegram 2. Send `/watch` followed by the TikTok username 3. That's it. Next time they go live, you get the MP4 There's no paid tier. Your watchlist recordings are free, and you can also browse [past recordings](/latest) from other users' watchlists and open them on Telegram, also free. --- ### How to Save Someone's TikTok Live as MP4 URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/save-tiktok-live-stream Published: 2026-04-25 Category: Guide TL;DR: TikTok has no download button for someone else's live stream. You can screen record it manually, hope for a replay, or use TikRec to automatically record and deliver the MP4 to Telegram at original quality. You're watching someone else's TikTok live and want to save it. Maybe a creator is doing a cooking tutorial, a live concert, or a Q&A you want to revisit. But TikTok has no "download live" button for viewers. Once the stream ends, it's gone. Some creators enable replay, but most don't. And even when they do, TikTok can remove replays without notice. Here's how to save someone else's TikTok live stream before it disappears. ## The core problem TikTok treats live streams differently from regular videos. Regular TikTok videos have a share menu with a "Save video" option. Live streams don't. The content exists only while the creator is broadcasting. This means if you want to save someone else's live stream, you need to capture it while it's happening, either on your device or through a service that does it for you. ## Option 1: Ask the creator The most straightforward path. Many creators don't realize their viewers want replays. A polite comment or DM asking them to enable replay after the live can work. If they do, you can screen-record the replay later at your convenience. This doesn't always work. Some creators prefer their lives to be ephemeral, and that's their choice. ## Option 2: Screen record on your phone Every modern phone has a built-in screen recorder: - **iPhone**: Control Center > Screen Recording (the circle icon) - **Android**: Pull down notification shade > Screen Record Start recording before the live begins, watch the entire stream, stop when it ends. The video saves to your camera roll. The catch: you need to watch the whole thing live. Lock your phone or switch apps and the recording stops. Long streams eat your battery and storage. And the quality depends on your screen resolution and internet connection. ## Option 3: Automatic cloud recording Services like TikRec record TikTok lives at the source, not from your screen. The stream is captured directly from TikTok's servers at original quality and delivered to you as an MP4. With TikRec specifically: 1. You add creators to a watchlist on Telegram 2. When they go live, TikRec detects it within minutes 3. The stream is recorded automatically on cloud servers 4. The finished MP4 arrives in your Telegram chat You don't need to be watching. You don't need to be online. You don't even need to know when the live is happening. The recording happens in the background and shows up when it's ready. ## Quality comparison MethodVideo qualityAudioUI overlay? Screen recordingYour screen resolutionDevice captureYes Cloud recording (TikRec)Original stream qualityOriginal audioNo (clean MP4) Screen recordings capture everything on your screen, including TikTok's interface, chat messages, and gift animations. Cloud recording captures the raw stream, so you get a clean video without overlays. ## What about third-party download sites? Various websites claim to let you "download TikTok live streams" by pasting a URL. In practice, these don't work for live streams. They work for posted videos (the regular TikTok feed), not for active broadcasts. By the time you copy a live URL and paste it somewhere, the content is either still streaming (and can't be downloaded as a file) or already ended (and no longer accessible). ## Saving past recordings with TikRec If you missed someone else's live stream, TikRec keeps an [archive of recent recordings](/latest) from its users' watchlists. You can browse by creator or by date, see thumbnails and metadata, and open any past recording on Telegram for free. For a specific creator, the URL pattern `tikrec.com/missed/[username]` returns every saved past live for that creator with FAQ about replays and a one-tap link to open each recording on Telegram. This means even if you weren't watching and didn't have the creator on your watchlist, there's a chance someone else recorded it. ## The practical answer For occasional use, screen recording works. You already have the tool on your phone. For regular use - if you follow creators who go live often and you don't want to miss recordings - a cloud service saves time and captures at higher quality. [TikRec's Telegram bot](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot) handles the monitoring, recording, and delivery automatically. If your problem is specifically replay availability after the live ends, read [TikTok Live Replay Not Available](/blog/tiktok-live-replay-not-available). If you are trying to recover something already removed, read [Can You Watch Deleted TikTok Lives?](/blog/can-you-watch-deleted-tiktok-lives). --- ### TikTok Live Recorder: Open-Source Python CLI URL: https://tikrec.com/blog/tiktok-live-recorder-open-source Published: 2026-04-23 Category: Tool TL;DR: TikTok Live Recorder is a free, open-source Python CLI (780+ GitHub stars) that records TikTok live streams via FFmpeg. Three modes: manual, automatic polling, and followers monitoring. TikRec is the hosted cloud version. If you prefer running your own recording setup rather than using a service, there's an open-source option. [TikTok Live Recorder](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) is a Python CLI tool that captures TikTok live streams directly from your computer. It's the same recording engine that powers TikRec's cloud service. 780+ GitHub stars, MIT licensed, actively maintained. ## What it does The tool connects to TikTok's live streaming infrastructure and downloads the raw video stream using FFmpeg. You get a clean MP4 file at the original broadcast quality. No screen recording, no overlays, no quality loss. Three recording modes: - **Manual:** start recording a specific user who's currently live - **Automatic:** poll a username and start recording whenever they go live - **Followers:** monitor all accounts you follow and record every live ## Requirements - Python 3.11 or newer - FFmpeg installed and in your PATH - A computer that stays on while recording ## Installation **Linux / macOS:** ```bash curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh git clone https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder.git cd tiktok-live-recorder uv venv && uv sync ``` On macOS, install FFmpeg first: `brew install ffmpeg` **Windows (PowerShell):** ```powershell powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex" git clone https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder.git cd tiktok-live-recorder uv venv && uv sync ``` **Docker:** ```bash docker pull ghcr.io/michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder:latest ``` **Android (Termux):** Install Termux from F-Droid, then follow the Linux instructions inside the terminal. ## Basic usage Record a user who's currently live: ```bash uv run python src/main.py -user charlidamelio ``` Record multiple users: ```bash uv run python src/main.py -user charlidamelio,bellapoarch,addisonre ``` Automatic mode, wait for them to go live and record: ```bash uv run python src/main.py -user charlidamelio -mode automatic ``` Monitor all accounts you follow: ```bash uv run python src/main.py -mode followers ``` ## Useful flags FlagWhat it doesExample -userTikTok username(s) to record-user charlidamelio -modemanual, automatic, or followers-mode automatic -outputDirectory to save recordings-output ./recordings -durationMax recording length in seconds-duration 3600 -proxyHTTP proxy for restricted regions-proxy http://ip:port -bitrateOutput video bitrate-bitrate 1M -telegramUpload recording to Telegram when done-telegram ## When to use this vs. TikRec The open-source tool is for people who want full control over their recording setup. You run it on your own hardware, manage your own storage, and handle everything yourself. FeatureOpen-source CLITikRec (cloud) SetupPython + FFmpeg + terminalOpen Telegram, send /watch Requires your computer onYesNo StorageYour diskTelegram (unlimited) Multiple creators at onceYes (one process each)Yes (automatic) 24/7 monitoringIf your machine runs 24/7Built in CostFree + your electricityFree CustomizableFull source code accessNo If you're a developer who wants to tinker, integrate with your own pipeline, or run recording on a VPS you control - use the CLI. If you want recordings delivered to Telegram without maintaining anything - use [TikRec](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot). ## Links - **GitHub:** [github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder](https://github.com/Michele0303/tiktok-live-recorder) - **License:** MIT (free for any use) - **TikRec cloud service:** [@tikrec_live_bot on Telegram](https://t.me/tikrec_live_bot)