Best Streaming Software for Twitch

OBS (short for Open Broadcaster Software) is considered the industry standard for Twitch streamers. This free and open-source software is very customizable with plugins built by other streamers, gamers, and developers. With a little knowledge and skill, you can create seamless transitions that give your stream a professional quality. 

There are a few inbuilt features and transitions in OBS, but many others can be added. You can set up hotkeys with every function to ensure your effects are seamless and timely.

As OBS Studio is a community-produced project, there is no centralized help from the platform. However, with a whole community of enthusiasts, you can almost always find answers to your questions within an hour. The program is reliable and rarely has any issues. It is very customizable, and many widgets and add-ons have been created for it. While it isn’t always easy for new streamers to start, many grow as they feel more comfortable setting up their stream studio.

Add an OBS Plugin

Many people pair OBS with plugins such as OWN3D PRO (which offers an assortment of other streaming tools) or StreamElements. These live streaming tools are easy to install and make it a bit easier to set up a high-quality live stream for the streaming platforms of your choice.

While OBS is the best streaming software, hands down, these additional features add a lot of value whether you stream video games or want to create pre-recorded videos.

XSplit is the first step into pro-level production features. While they are a step up in quality, the UI is a bit different from OBS/SLOBS, and it will take a little bit to readjust.

XSplit Broadcaster is highly customizable and comes with all the bells and whistles you need for production. There is a learning curve to get this streaming software up and going, but with excellent customer support, you can have all your questions answered while you work. 

You can use a limited version of the program with a watermark for free or upgrade to their advanced features to a monthly or yearly plan. You can often find trial codes online or when purchasing select Logitech webcams. 

XSplit VCam

The XSplit VCam is a feature that is included in the program. It allows you to remove or blur your background without needing a green screen. If you have good lighting and some space between you and the wall behind you, this can be a great feature to create quality in your production value easily. You also have the option to replace the background. 

Formerly an extension of XSplit, Gamecaster has come a long way in its beta phase. Streamers looking for a streaming program that is easy to set up to begin streaming on Twitch will love the studio aspect of Gamecaster. The software also works as a strong recording software for those who want to create traditional gaming videos instead of live-streaming.

Created for new streamers to those who are a bit more advanced, Gamecaster has created a gaming experience using an achievement system. The platform also gives you everything you need to get started streaming live. The user interface allows you to easily create scenes that will let you stream content that your viewer base will like. You can import multiple sources to give you just the right look for your genre.

The drawback to Gamecaster is that you can’t upload your own branding. While this free streaming software gives you everything you need as far as multiple overlays, alerts, and scene options, they don’t allow you to upload your own graphics. You can customize your streaming setup using the variables built into the system.

Don’t have a capture card? Lightstream is a browser-based stream program, making it the perfect option for streamers who are always on the go and use their phone or different devices to stream. You won’t have to rebuild scenes every time you download the software, and you don’t have to worry about your CPU.

Lightstream also allows you to broadcast with multiple people on the same stream, allowing you to do talk shows or play with other streamers easily. The platform also offers the best live-streaming software for console broadcasters as they learn to stream on Xbox or PS4 in the video streaming industry.

Lightstream is also cloud-based streaming software making live streaming from anywhere that much easier.

Streamlabs (formerly known as Streamlabs OBS or SLOBS) was heavily inspired by OBS (mentioned above). It was created to re-create OBS with an easier UI and seamless integration with other Streamlabs widgets and bots. Broadcasters who use SLOBS enjoy the event queue, library of overlays, audio filter, and video editor, which are all easy to the plugin. 

When it comes to Streamlabs vs. OBS Studio, Streamlabs is customizable and similar enough to OBS that OBS Studio users can quickly make the switch. Those who are new to streaming typically find Streamlabs easier to learn and navigate than its predecessor. Moving your webcam feed and other elements around quickly and easily is easy. 

While performance varies between streamers, many users state that Streamlabs uses more CPU and memory than other broadcasting software, but it is always improving. Stramlabs also comes with good customer service, allowing you to get help understanding the settings, video, sound, and other studio options.

That all being said, Streamlabs has lost a lot of support in the streaming community due to a few of their actions in November 2021. While you can still use this free live-streaming software, you may not be able to find as much help setting it up as you used to, as many streamers are looking to support other creators of live-streaming software instead.

Streamlabs Go Prime Features

Streamlabs is a free streaming platform, but there is an optional Ultra upgrade. For a reasonable monthly fee, you will have access to many features that will easily up your channel quality. With access to 40+ premium apps, a merch store, and hundreds of overlays, you can add features and update your overall look. You can also create a custom website for your channel through their store.

Born out of the Covid Pandemic, Melon was Streamlabs’s answer to the sudden need for a simple-to-use browser-based system for professional tradesmen who needed to transition to live streaming for their livelihood.

With Melon, anyone can easily set up professional-looking scenes for your streams, interview other broadcasters through an invite system, and multi-stream to Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and other streaming platforms.

The Melon App has three packages available. The first is completely free and allows you to start live streaming to one platform, talk with one other broadcaster, and interact with your chat, amongst other features.

The premium package has two tiers that allow you to have access to their advanced features that will give you everything you need to succeed as a streaming tradesperson.

The price depends on what specific features you need, such as how many participants you want to have in your live stream.

The BETA for Twitch Studio was released in late 2019. As it is built into the streaming platform, you can stream without having to sync your software. Users have reported less latency than other software due to its platform integration.  

You can create your own scenes and alerts from within Twitch studio, though some options are still very limited. As it gets closer to the official launch, we expect there to be improved options and more customization so that you can pick graphics that go well with the game you want to be live streaming. Twitch Studio is a no-cost program for Twitch users. 

Twitch Studio is a free broadcasting software for those who want to live stream to their platform, but they don’t offer a lot of features that would benefit content creators who want to grow their brand in other ways. Unless you are dead set only to live stream on Twitch in the future, you may want to look at another streaming service.

With the vMix streaming software, you choose the options you want and only pay for those. The base package is free (with a watermark), and when options are added, your price will fluctuate between $60-$1,200. There is also a 60-day free trial on the package.

vMix has many professional features, including 4K encoding, 1920 x 1080, and 1000 inputs. If you are ready to take your stream to the next level, vMix will get you there. Just be sure to have a good internet connection.

Wirecast is a professional program that will give you access to tools not available on other software, such as 3D animated titles, instant replays, and video conferencing. You can also have up to 250 layers on a scene, meaning you can customize things as much as you wish without limits.

Made by Telestream, this software is continually being updated with new and improved features. Despite its advanced functions, the UI is very intuitive and easy to manage. One drawback is the price point for new streamers.

While NVIDIA Shadowplay technically has broadcasting software capabilities, it is better suited as a screen recording program. You can use this software if you only want to stream your gameplay and nothing else. However, those who want overlays, stream alerts, webcam feed, and other features won’t be able to use them with NVIDIA Shadowplay.

One great feature of this program is that there is a shortcode you can use to record the last several minutes of gameplay. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing important milestones that you can review later on.

You must have an NVIDIA graphics card to use this software. 

Restream is a browser-based live streaming solution that allows you to multistream. If you also stream on other platforms besides Twitch, Restream.io is your best bet. Although you will need to connect Restream to OBS (thus still requiring you to download the software), setting up your stream on Restream.io is relatively easy to do. Restream also integrates with a wide range of streaming platforms and social media sites, including Steam and Trovo.

One of the best things about Restream is you can use it for absolutely free. The downside with their free feature, however, is that you can’t have your custom branding and the Restream.io watermark will appear on your stream.

Upgrading to their paid plans will remove this Restream.io branding plus gives you plenty of other perks, such as additional channels and even users, which is great if you have a team you work with. Restream.io plans start at $16, and if you opt for an annual subscription, you get 2 months for free.