A new industry is on the rise, and it is called live streaming. If you aspire to become live streamers, finding the right type of streaming software to use is essential. That is what will give your stream edge and give your viewers a remarkable experience. However, since live streaming is a booming market, more and more streaming services are cropping up. With so many options to choose from, it might be rather tricky to choose the best streaming software for you.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are three of the best streaming software you can use to create a fantastic stream in 2021:
1. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio
OBS studio is a high-quality open-source streaming software. The best part about this one is that it’s free. Hence, it has become the go-to streaming software for first-time users.
However, it has a learning curve. OBS Studio can be somewhat hard to understand because of its complicated customization options. Although once users master it, they can create fantastic-looking streams for their audience. It also allows users to mix audio, create scenes from multiple sources, and record screens in high quality.
Since it’s open-source, getting technical support might be difficult. Fortunately, there is an active community and numerous tutorials online that can help users navigate OBS Studio.
Pros
- Free and flexible
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux
- Can stream to multiple platforms at the same time
- Highly customizable
- Offers “Multiview” for monitoring up to 8 different screens at the same time
- Powerful API
Cons:
- Heavy on CPU and memory
- Requires a steep learning curve
- No established customer support
2. XSplit Broadcaster
XSplit is another streaming software with both free and paid versions. It offers multiple plugins for users to use to extend its functionality. Moreover, this streaming software is easy to learn and use. However, the free version has limited features. For one, it can only stream videos up to 30fps, and a watermark is visible for streams that are 720p and up.
But don’t fret; there are still numerous features for free users as it offers 3D positioning, high sound fidelity, and easy video and audio editing. They can also change or edit their backgrounds and integrate third-party apps with ease.
The premium version, on the other hand, offers more high-end and professional features. It can stream up to 4k60fps without watermarks and do multiple streams. It also has an added feature called Projector Mode that allows users to stream on additional screens. Other premium features include source transitions, stream delay, local streaming, and more. A lifetime premium license costs $199.
Pros:
- Has multiple plugins
- Stable and user-friendly
- Live status display
- Has built-in transitions
- Interactive user interface
- Offers multiple plans for premium starting at $24.95 for 3 months for all apps
Cons:
- Compatible with Windows only
- No presets
- Needs encoding background
- Heavy on resources
- Video quality capped at 1080p
3. Wirecast
Wirecast is a professional-grade software from Telestream. It is an excellent option for professional live streaming.
There are countless advanced features available such as 3D rotation, scene layering, instant replays, high-resolution recording, automatic optimization, live captions, and so much more. Users also have access to limitless capture, encoding, and inputs. Additionally, Wirecast offers input-switching and multi-streaming capabilities. It is ideal for a wide range of live stream videos from news broadcasts, gaming, and even sports. The streaming software has a 30-day trial for those who want to try it out first. It has two versions: Wirecast Studio ($599) and Wirecast Pro ($799).
Pros:
- Compatible with Mac and Windows
- Delivers professional and high-quality performance
- The user interface is flexible and intuitive
- Has 100 built-in titles and graphics
- Offers ISO Recording
Cons:
- High price point
- Steep learning curve
- Heavy on computer memory
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is a streaming software?
A streaming software is an encoding program. It uses encoders to convert your videos into the appropriate format to send a live stream on various platforms.
What should I look for in choosing streaming software?
When looking for the right streaming software to use, you should first take a look at the system requirements. This will ensure that the software will perform as expected and run smoothly. Additionally, you should also think about which features you will need the most in your streams.
Do I need a specific computer to use streaming software?
There is no specific computer required for streaming software. There are a lot of options to choose from that caters to all Operating Systems (OS). However, different streaming software will have various system requirements (as mentioned above) and compatibility. If your computer or laptop does not meet the system requirements, you will encounter problems with your streaming software.
