Ultra.
In this blog post, I want to focus on the best live streaming software for Twitch, Facebook Gaming, and YouTube. There are plenty of live streaming software solutions out there, but not all of them are the same. They all offer different features and benefits, and you need to decide which one is right for you.
Your live streaming needs are going to depend on your goals. For example, do you want to stream yourself playing video games? Are you live streaming on the go in real life? Or maybe you have a podcast you’d like to stream live to your viewers. Depending on the use case, the streaming software you may want to use will differ.
Before we dive into the best streaming software, first, let’s discuss what live streaming is, and why it’s important.
What is Live Streaming?
Live streaming is a way to broadcast a video or audio in real-time over the internet. It has quickly grown in popularity as more people have adopted mobile devices, technology has advanced, and free options have become available. However, you may be wondering, “what is live streaming software?” Live streaming software helps you to create a live broadcast that users from all over the world watch. These live broadcasts are usually video, audio, and mobile-enabled to allow your audience to participate in the broadcast. Live streaming software can be accessed via your computer’s web browser, on your mobile device, or downloaded on your computer.
What are the Benefits of Live Streaming?
Live streaming is an excellent way for many people to gain new entertainment. Live streaming offers the opportunity to connect with someone in real-time and watch them interact through video. Live streaming also allows you to make others feel like they’re a part of the action through text chat. As a result, you might find that live streaming offers you a sense of connection with people you would not otherwise meet. Additionally, if you’re looking for a new way to promote your business or share your thoughts with the world, live streaming might be the best option for you.
What is the Best Streaming Software for Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook
6. Twitch Studio
Twitch publicly launched its free broadcasting software, Twitch Studio in 2019. It is great for new streamers that just want to jump right in without having to worry about any of the technical stuff. Like most streaming software, Twitch studio allows you to view your stream chat and view your activity feed (follows, subs, etc), alongside your live broadcast. It comes with simple overlay layouts. Twitch Studio is available on both Windows and Mac.
The major drawback behind Twitch Studio is the lack of customizability. If you plan on having advanced overlays, transitions or effects, you may want to consider using other streaming software
5. Restream
Restream is browser-based so there is no need to download any software. It is particularly well-suited for businesses that want to reach audiences on new platforms since they connect to over 30+ platforms. One of the most useful features is the ability to pre-record content and live stream it at a later time.
Restream is better suited for content that is focused on people rather than fast-paced action on your screen. If you are a gamer, you may find other streaming software that fits your needs better. It also comes with some pre-made overlays and ways to add your logo for additional branding, but some customizability is limited.
4. XSplit
XSplit has several different products for broadcasting and recording purposes. Their free product is called XSplit Broadcaster. It’s incredibly easy to get set up and they have a great support team. It comes with some of the essential components needed to live stream like recording functionality, the ability to stream to several different platforms, scene presets, custom transitions, and does offer support for some plug-ins and extensions.
If you want to unlock everything XSplit has to offer you will have to pay. With the free version you miss out on unlimited scenes, multistream functionality, and if you want to stream above 720p they will tack on a watermark. One of the major downsides is that XSplit is only available on Windows. If you are create using macOS you’ll need to find other streaming software.
3. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is the OG broadcasting software and the thing that started it all. It’s open-source and maintained by a group of contributors. This is broadcasting software without the training wheels. It allows you to get as advanced as you want. Unfortunately, with no official team behind the software, that means getting support may be difficult if you run into any issues.
New streamers may want to consider other alternatives that walk you through the setup process, but if you’re an advanced user that knows what there doing, OBS is a great option that runs great and uses minimal CPU usage.
2. Talk Studio
Similar to Restream, Talk Studio is a browser-based streaming studio. Unlike Restream, with Talk Studio you can go live to every major streaming platform in just five clicks. Built by the team at Streamlabs, with Talk Studio, there is no complicated setup and nothing to install for you or your guests. Other streaming solutions are complicated and can take hours to set up. With Talk Studio, everything is hosted on best-in-class cloud infrastructure, meaning podcaster, brands, business, and individuals get blazing fast response time, low CPU usage, and minimal latency.
Talk Studio is fully customizable and easy to create professionally branded live streams with multistream functionality, custom overlays, and layouts. Talk Studio comes with a ton of guides to help you get set up like a multistream guide, how to use Talk Studio as a Zoom alternative, how to increase your live stream viewership, and much more.
While it is somewhat limited for gamers, that is also not its intended use case. It’s an incredibly easy-to-use piece of software, so if your brand, business, podcaster, or anyone else that wants to experiment with live video, give Talk Studio a shot.
1. Streamlabs Desktop
Streamlabs Desktop is built on top of OBS with additional functionality and features. It’s incredibly easy to set up and the onboarding process takes care of most questions new streamers would have about getting set up.
Streamlabs Desktop integrates seamlessly with over a dozen widgets that are designed to increase engagement with your audience and improve monetization.
There are a ton of free features that come with Streamlabs Desktop including a game overlay for single monitors, a layout editor so you can adjust your UI, Replay Buffer to effortlessly save replays, and even a Selective Recording feature to toggle of certain sources in a recorded video.
Streamlabs tipping functionality also lets streamers monetize their live streams and celebrate with their community via on-screen alerts. By default monthly tips are also enabled to give their community a way to support them on a regular basis.
Streamlabs also comes with a chat bot for free called Cloudbot. Cloudbot helps streamers moderate their chat and engage with viewers with fun minigames.
Lastly, if you feel like spending some cash, Streamlabs Ultra is a premium toolkit for live streamers designed to help them stream like a pro. Members can sell exclusive apparel through their customizable merch store, create a unique branded tip page, receive exclusive access to sponsorship opportunities through the Streamlabs App Store, and much more.
About Streamlabs
Founded on the belief that we want to help creators make a living do what they love, Streamlabs provides a robust suite of features to help creators better engage with their fans, grow audiences, and improve monetization. Building on this mission, Streamlabs is expanding its product with 1) Talk Studio, our browser-based streaming studio, 2) Link Space, an all-in-one bio link tool, and 3) Video Editor, a video review and collaboration tool.