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What is the best software for streaming PC gameplay to Twitch?

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5 Games Considered

5 Options ConsideredPriceOSAudio Codecs
Open Broadcaster Software
Windows 7, 8, 8.1 And 10; Mac OS X 10.9 or newer, LinuxMP3
XSplit Gamecaster
WindowsSpeex; AAC
Wirecast
Windows; OSX–
Vmix
––
Gameshow
––
See Full List

Open Broadcaster Software

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thermoplastics
Top Pro

Free, open source and cross-platform

•••
OBS is licensed under GPLv2 with code available on GitHub. It's available on Windows, OSX and Linux.
Endi Sukaj
Top Pro

Stream settings are extremely customizable

•••
Open Broadcaster lets you add different streaming profiles, each with its own settings. Each profile can have its keyboard shortcut to start or stop recording, custom resolution, frames per second or even the audio codec of choice.
Endi Sukaj
Top Pro

Several capture types supported

•••
There are multiple capture types that can be used to stream. By clicking in "Sources Window", you can add the type that you need. Windows Capture, for example, as the name suggests, captures the windows. Monitor Capture is similar but captures the window regardless of where it was, this w...
Endi Sukaj
Top Pro

Simple user interface

•••
Open Broadcaster has a clean and simple interface that is easy to understand even for people who have never used a streaming application before. It has a "Start Streaming" button on the bottom, which, when clicked lets you stream from your chosen source.
Endi Sukaj
Top Pro

Light resource usage

•••
Open Broadcaster uses relatively fewer resources than competitors, especially when streaming using Game Mode and by limiting the number of frames per second to 60 or lower.
thermoplastics
Top Pro

Has over 20 plugins that enhance functionality

•••
OBS has over 20 plugins to choose from, including one's that allow adding video files and any other media supported by VLC as a source, integrating Twich chat and switching scene depending on what window is in focus.
thermoplastics
Top Pro

Supports Intel's Quick Sync for faster and more power efficient video processing

•••
Quick Sync is hardware video encoding and decoding technology that's comparable in speed, compression ratio and quality to x264. Since Quick Sync is a dedicated hardware core on the processor die, it allows for faster and more power efficient video processing.
thermoplastics
Top Con

Can't link to an audio file as a source

•••
You can download a plugin called DirectShow Audio Source, but you're only given options to use audio inputs (mic, speakers, etc...). You cannot simply select a wav or mp3 file to loop (going AFK or BRB for example).
thermoplastics
Top Con

Can't output to multiple streams at once (planned)

•••
Ability to stream to multiple outputs is planned but not available yet.
thermoplastics
Top Con

Lacks scene previewing (planned)

•••
OBS lacks the functionality to look at scenes before streaming them.
See 8 more Pros & ConsSee 8 more Pros & Cons

XSplit Gamecaster

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thermoplastics
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.
thermoplastics
Top Pro

Simultaneous broadcast

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A paid license allows streaming to multiple services at the same time.
thermoplastics
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.
thermoplastics
Top Con

Adding text requires a plugin

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While a minor inconvenience, most other tools include this functionality by default.
thermoplastics
Top Con

Premium version is required for commercial use

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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 3 more Pros & ConsSee 3 more Pros & Cons

Wirecast

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thermoplastics
Top Pro

Provides a lot of advanced functionality

•••
Wirecas has support for rare advanced functionality such as IP cameras, remote desktop capture, 3d virtual sets, image slideshow, scoreboards, projectors.
PleasantEiresione
thermoplastics
Top Con

Very expensive they updated the price to $700

•••

Vmix

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Gameshow

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11 Community Recommendations

Conar McVicker
SplitmediaLabs
thermoplastics
Stuart Kearney
dunk
PleasantEiresione
MotivatedWuluwaid
ConsiderateGration
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