What are the best software tools for live streaming?

Question

25

Options
Considered

620

User
Recs.

6 mins

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

The Best 1 of 22 OptionsWhy?

Best software tools for live streaming	Price	OS	Video Codecs
92 Open Broadcaster Software	Free	Windows 7, 8, 8.1 And 10; Mac OS X 10.9 or newer, Linux	Windows 7, 8, 8.1 And 10; Mac OS X 10.9 or newer, Linux
87 FFSplit	-	Windows 10	H264
79 XSplit Broadcaster	-	Windows	H264
-- Wirecast	$495	Windows; OSX	x264; H.264; Flash; ProRes; MJPEG; WMV
-- Cameleon	-	–	–

See Full List

21 Other Options Considered

FFSplit

Top Pro

Free

Top Con

No built-in game source capture

FFSplit requires an external program for capturing game source. See More

VersatileAoGuang's Experience

gg See More

Specs

OS:Windows 10

Video Codecs:H264

Video Formats:FLV; MKV; MP4

Audio Codecs:MP3; AAC

Top Pro

Simultaneous broadcast

FFSplit allows streaming to multiple services at the same time. See More

Top Con

Windows only

FFSplit runs only on Windows. Other operating systems such as OSX or Linux are not supported. See More

Top Pro

Light resource usage

Top Con

Very limited methods for manipulating source

FFSplit can't rotate, crop, pan, tilt or zoom sources. There's also no de-interlacing, chroma key, color or gamma adjustment support. FFSplit can only resize the source, adjust transparency and adjust volume. See More

Top Pro

Clean interface

Top Con

Doesn't work on Windows XP

FFSplit works on Windows Vista or later. See More

See All

XSplit Broadcaster

Top Pro

Functionality can be extended via plugins

XSplit has a source plugin store (with about 5 plugins) that add functionality such as whiteboards, image slideshows and video playlists. See More

Top Con

Premium version is required for commercial use

A paid license is required to use XSplit for any commercial purposes. The personal license is $4.95/mo and the premium license is $8.95/mo. See More

BrilliantPatollo's Experience

god See More

Specs

OS:Windows

Video Codecs:H264

Video Formats:FLV; MP4

Audio Codecs:Speex; AAC

Top Pro

3D positioning

Any scene element can be positioned in 3D space by rotating in all axis. See More

Top Con

Windows only

XSplit runs only on Windows. Other operating systems such as OSX or Linux are not supported. See More

Top Pro

Very short learning curve

Top Con

Stream delay is behind a paywall

Top Pro

Simultaneous broadcast

A paid license allows streaming to multiple services at the same time. See More

Top Con

Adding text requires a plugin

While a minor inconvenience, most other tools include this functionality by default. See More

Top Pro

Supports interactive Flash files

XSplit allows loading .swf files to the scene that can then be interacted with using keyboard and mouse inputs. See More

Top Con

Resource heavy

Top Pro

Transitions

XSplit has a couple of built-in transitions for switching scenes. Transitions such as wave, fade, hole, etc, that can add a bit of character to a stream. See More

Top Con

Can't go above 1080p

Top Pro

Some source delay support

Webcams and capture card video as well as any audio can be delayed. See More

Top Pro

Has a limited free version

XSplit offers a free version that includes both XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster, but is limited to .aac 96 kbps mono audio, .mp4/.flv@30fps video and advanced features like image overlays, Twitch integration or a preview editor. See More

See All

Wirecast

Top Pro

Provides a lot of advanced functionality

Wirecast has support for rare, advanced functionality such as IP cameras, remote desktop capture, 3D virtual sets, image slideshow, scoreboards, and projectors. See More

Top Con

Expensive

Costs $495. See More

Sinews Nellore's Experience

ss See More

Specs

OS:Windows; OSX

Video Codecs:x264; H.264; Flash; ProRes; MJPEG; WMV

Video Formats:MOV; FLV; WMV

Top Pro

Streams to multiple networks simultaneously

Wirecast can stream to multiple networks as long as you add non-Facebook networks using the manual RTMP method. See More

Top Con

Image can't be rotated

Top Pro

Functionality can be extended via plugins

Top Pro

Can create and automate playlists

Wirecast offers an option to create and automate playlists - even with live shots - by modifying the duration of each shot. Playlists also can be used to create highlight reels after capturing Instant Replays. See More

See All

Cameleon

Add Video or Image

Lightstream

Top Pro

Easy to use / quick setup

Go live in under 60 seconds. See More

Top Con

Sound issues

There can be constant crackling noises during Facebook live sessions through Lightstream. See More

Caitlin Cuesta's Experience

Easy to use, even if you have absolutely zero technical knowledge (I don't). There is also an entire support community and Wiki to help troubleshoot if you encounter any issues. See More

Specs

OS:All (Browser Based)

Top Pro

Browser-based

No downloads necessary, go live from your browser. See More

Top Con

Recommended ~5MB upload

Some may not have internet speeds that are fast enough for Lightstream. See More

Top Pro

Free

Top Con

Apps missing

Top Pro

Remote guests

Add guests to your stream with the click of a link. See More

Top Con

Black screen

Top Pro

Live chat support

Help is always there if you need it. See More

See All

Mirillis Action!

Top Pro

Info HUD showing FPS, LIVE viewers etc.

Top Con

30-day trial period

m-kp's Experience

I can LIVE stream and record my games anytime. FPS loss is minimal, there are frequent updates with new features coming quite often. See More

Specs

OS:Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Video Codecs:H.264/AVC , H.265/HEVC, FICV

Video Formats:AVI 2.0, MP4

Audio Codecs:Linear PCM (Stereo/5.1) (AVI) AAC LC (Stereo/5.1) (MP4)

Top Pro

Live Streaming with Overlay sources

Up to 6 modular custom url sources, logo, graphics overlay and more See More

MemorablePapNiginGara's Experience

Easy to use and does a very good job. See More

Top Pro

Recording webcam or USB/HDMI capture devices

Top Pro

Benchmarking tool

Top Pro

Screen drawing panel

For adding text, shapes, arrows and more. See More

Top Pro

4K Webcam support

Amazing performance with Logitech BRIO 4K. See More

See All

YouTube

Add Video or Image

Contus Vplay

Flash Media Live Encoder

Top Pro

Free and cross-platform

Flash Media Live Encoder is available as a free download for Windows and Mac devices. See More

Top Con

Very limited source functionality

Flash Media Live Encoder can only have 1 source, has no scene switcher and lacks any functionality for manipulating the source such as rotating, cropping, adjusting color, gamma or volume. See More

WonderfulSeonangsin's Experience

Flash media encoder works better for me - am saying for me only. I have OBS studio and absolutely love the features. But I can not seem to get it to broadcast/stream as clear an video stream as with Flash Media Encoder. To get around the lack of features not offered by or in AFME I use Manycam or Webcammax or any other preferred web cam management program. I find then I am not tied to any one encoder, and always have the same features that I am used to using no matter what program I use. And, no OBS doesn't improve if I do not use Manycam or Webcamax. Even with straight to camera source OBS FOR ME it seems doesn't deliver a clear a video. I recommend Media Encoder to anyone, and I broadcast using it on Twitch and iVlog.tv as AbiliTV to both. I will be glad to show the difference in quality live if you need to see it. I could have some setting wrong in OBS as far as I know. So any help would rock. Twitch enter AbiliTV into search. iVlog dot tv: If you see AbiliTV in the live section on the front page click it to tune in. Twitter enter AbiliTV to locate my tweets when I go live. See More

Specs

Video Codecs:H264; VP6

Video Formats:FLV; F4V

Audio Codecs:MP3; Nelly Moser

Top Pro

Simultaneous broadcast

Flash Media Live Encoder allows streaming to multiple services at the same time. See More

Top Con

No game source capture

An external program is required to capture game source. See More

See All

StreamNow

Add Video or Image

BEBO

Top Pro

Uses half as much CPU as OBS

Encoding is done in the cloud. See More

Top Con

Only for Twitch

Specs

OS:Windows 10

Top Pro

Baller themes

Without hiring your own designer. See More

Top Con

Causes high CPU usage

Top Pro

Free forever

No fees or subscriptions. See More

Top Pro

All In One

Streaming, chat, donations, all in one place. See More

Top Pro

Custom Lootboxes

Viewers love it. See More

Top Pro

Paid Partner Program

Top Pro

24/7 Developer support

Top Pro

Clean design

Easy to use and looks great. See More

Top Pro

Scenes that stick with you

All settings are saved in the cloud. See More

Top Pro

More stuff for your viewers to do, less work for you

See All

Streamlabs OBS

Oddbrother's Experience

Very interesting! I like how there are more varied features for the broadcaster to stand out and represent their character with a theme and face mask. It's also nice to have a more streamlined video encoder for gaming. See More

Specs

OS:Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Video Codecs:H264, HEVC

Video Formats:MP4

Audio Codecs:AAC

See All Specs

ManyCam

Add Video or Image

Contentflow

Add Video or Image

RECentral

Top Pro

Easy set-up for multiple services

If streaming to multiple services, a test can be run that results in the user choosing between smoothness and quality in their live-stream sessions, helping to ease through the pain of balancing out the best settings. See More

Top Con

Requires a supported capture device

If you couldn't tell from the brand name alone, the software requires a screen recording device; a peculiar hoop to jump through to access an easy and convenient option for live-streaming and recording. See More

Oddbrother's Experience

I used this software first when I got my AVerMedia video capture device. At first glance, I wasn't all that impressed because of the speed and quality I could get from it. After some firmware and software updates, I'm surprised at the features it packed for a user-friendly live-streaming experience. See More

Specs

OS:Windows 10 x64

Video Codecs:H264

Price:FREE

Requires:AVerMedia GC550, GC513, GC510, BU110, AM310, or PW310

See All

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