Whether you’re a potential pro Twitch streamer or just someone who loves to share your enthusiasm with the internet, the right type of software can improve or ruin the experience. Anyone who has dived into the world of streaming knows about OBS, but there are many other software options available that have received less attention.
This article will explore the differences between different types of software and help you decide which software is right for you. If the company offers a trial version, download the software and experiment. You may find that the software takes your stream to the next level.
1. Most Popular: OBS ( Website A
OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. The project started and continues to be an open source project, which means that streamers can use it for free. The software offers incredible customization options, but it acts like a double-edged sword.
While OBS can create fantastic looking broadcasts, the sheer number of customization options can be difficult to grasp, especially for new users. The problem is compounded by the lack of a centralized customer support team. OBS users should resolve issues on their own or consult the extensive community forums for answers.
Fortunately for less tech-savvy folks, there is no shortage of tutorials and step-by-step guides to guide users through the more technical aspects of the program.
The main advantage of OBS for most users is that it is free, but this is also one of its disadvantages. While the service does not require much from the CPU and runs on all major operating systems, it also lacks a number of additional features that can help streamers stand out from the competition.
If you want to set up a virtual set that can be manipulated in real time, connect guest hosts to your streams, or use multithreading, you will need to find a different program than OBS.
2. More robust Freemium option: XSplit (
XSplit is great software for streamers, but many people get confused before realizing that it is actually split into two different programs – XSplit Gamecaster and XSplit Broadcaster. Both can be used to stream games, and the best option ultimately depends on what you hope to get from the software.
XSplit Gamecaster is the best option for new streamers because it strips out many of the more advanced (and often confusing) features to make it easier to showcase your skills. Some of these features involve starting and stopping your stream from an overlay rather than some mysterious internal menu.
XSplit Gamecaster also lets you stream to YouTube and Facebook in addition to Twitch. One of the coolest features is the ability to draw on top of your gameplay using the annotation feature, which makes it easy to highlight the finer points of your gameplay.
XSplit Gamecaster is free to use, but there are a few major limitations. The free version applies watermarks to streams over 720p or 30 FPS. If you want to stream at a higher resolution (and to increase your audience, it’s a good idea), you need to upgrade. A 12-month premium license costs $ 5 per month, while a 3-month premium license costs $ 8.32 per month. The one-time payment for a lifetime license is $ 199.
3. Low-end PC option: Lightstream ( Website )
Many of the most popular streamers invest hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in their equipment. This is usually a gaming computer and a streaming computer – one for processing gameplay and the other for streaming and video processing. It is clear that not everyone can afford it – and this is where Lightstream comes in.
Lightstream calls itself the “Google Video Production Docs”. While your computer is recording video, everything else is handled by the Lightstream servers. This requires a high-speed internet connection, but reduces the CPU load on your local computer.
Best of all, you don’t have to be too knowledgeable about your PC’s settings. Lightstream will automatically select the best encoding settings and monitor your internet connection. If your speed drops, it will adjust the bitrate as required.
Lightstream is free to use, but comes at a cost. Most streams have a maximum resolution of 720p and often have severe audio quality issues. While streaming layouts look great, they are basic and have no advanced features.
However, if you don’t have a powerful PC to handle all the encoding and processing, Lightstream is a great choice.
4. Best for Professionals: Wirecast ( website )
The first thing to know about Wirecast is that it’s not for people on a budget. It is a professional-grade software for high productivity.
The three tiers, Wirecast One, Studio, and Pro, are priced at $ 249 (currently on sale for $ 179), $ 449, and $ 699 respectively. While Wirecast One may seem like the best option, Wirecast Studio is where the features come in.
Wirecast Studio offers unlimited inputs, up to two remote guests, over 100 different titles and transitions, and over 500,000 media assets to stream. Users can try a 30-day trial version of the software. Wirecast Pro develops and expands these features and also offers virtual sets and backgrounds.
Whether you are a professional streamer or have the money to invest in end-game streaming software, Wirecast is your choice. This does not guarantee success, but it will put you head and shoulders above the competition. After all, isn’t that just a saying for every gamer? The winner is the one with the best equipment.
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