The Best Twitch Streaming Software: Keatures, Price, and More
If you're getting into the world of live streaming, you need capable software that can help you manage your streams live. It makes your stream way easier to handle while making it far more engaging for your audience.
Today, we're bringing you a list of the best Twitch streaming software to try. We'll dive deep into the numerous options available, and break down each so you know exactly what to expect.
1. What Is Twitch Streaming?
Twitch streaming or live streaming is when you broadcast yourself live to any audience. There's a large variety of Twitch streamers, from gamers, commentary channels, cooking, art, music, travel, or just chatting with your audience.
Anything you do, you can broadcast and interact with your audience live. It's an interactive and engaging experience, especially when you build a loyal audience over time.
Your audience can also subscribe to your channel and donate money to help you grow. It's also a great way to grow your online persona if you have a YouTube channel or other social media.
2. Best 7 Twitch Streaming Software
Here are the best 7 software for streaming on Twitch. Browse and choose the one that suits you best.
1Twitch Studio
Pros
- Beginner Friendly UI
- Plentiful Tips & Tutorials Available
- Free to Use
Cons
- Lacking Customization Options
- Known Issues with Popular Browsers, Games, and Apps
First up we have Twitch Studio, a great option if you're just starting with live streaming. You would think that it would be the best streaming software for Twitch, but there are some notable downsides. Otherwise, Twitch Studio is a solid option for beginners.
The biggest upside is that it's completely free to use and supports official Twitch plug-in integration. There's a great roster of tools too, including scene transitions, chats, widgets, alerts, goals, and basic customization options. Twitch Studio also integrates a built-in overlay that displays your chats, alerts, status, and more, making it much easier to stream with just one monitor.
However, while Twitch Studio is great for beginners, you'll slowly start to feel like it isn't enough. There's a limited amount of customization options and there are some glaring issues with certain apps where it fails to capture what's on screen.
2Streamlabs OBS
Pros
- Incredibly Customizable Experience with Free Version
- Built-in Chat Support
- Advanced Monetization Features
Cons
- Premium Requires Monthly/Yearly Subscription
- Resource Intensive
- Works Best with Premium Version
Streamlabs OBS is widely regarded as one of the best software for streaming on Twitch. One of its most well-known features is the amount of customization options you have for your themes, overlays, tip alerts, and more. Plus Streamlabs OBS also supports multistreaming. You can set your YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch accounts, hit a button, and go live simultaneously on all platforms.
You can collate all your chats on Streamlabs, making it simple to engage and respond to chat. Additionally, the base Streamlabs Starter plan is well-equipped with everything a streamer needs.
It works on both mobile and desktop, custom logos/emotes/intro makers, merch store integration, alerts, widgets, and much more.
However, while the free plan is plenty to start with, Streamlabs truly shines when you join the premium Streamlabs Ultra package. Many of the features are locked behind the Ultra plan which will cost you $19 per month.
3OBS Studio
Pros
- Open-Source Software
- Fully Customizable UI for Streaming
- Less Intensive CPU Usage
Cons
- No Multistreaming Support
- Harder to Learn than Other Streaming Software
- No Simplified Store for Customization
OBS Studio is another phenomenal streaming software well-optimized for Twitch and other streaming platforms. The first standout feature is that it's open-source software, which means it's completely free to use.
There's a robust community of users that can help with most issues you may run into. It's also fully customizable in both its UI and for streaming.
You can create and use almost any overlay, theme, chat, alerts, widgets, and more. However, OBS doesn't have any storefront that allows you to download prebuilt overlays and themes, which means you need to create or source your own.
This can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, which is why we recommend OBS Studio for intermediate streamers. Additionally, OBS Studio is pretty resource-intensive which is a downside.
Otherwise, OBS Studio is the ultimate streaming software for veteran streamers. It does have a steeper learning curve than other software, but if you take the time to learn and use it, OBS Studio is the best option.
4XSplit
Pros
- Easy-to-Use Layout Wizard
- Audio Mixer Built-in
- Easily Repurpose VOD content to Videos
Cons
- Most Features Locked Behind Paid Subscription
- Comparatively Expensive
- Limited Plugins & Customization
XSplit is another option for best stream software for Twitch with a robust feature set catered to professional streamers. Unlike other options, the free version here is pretty limited, but the good news is you can pay for a lifetime subscription for $200. Alternatively, there are a few plans monthly/yearly to choose from, but at minimum, it'll cost you $15 per month.
XSplit is otherwise a fully-fledged streaming software that allows you to customize your frame rate and quality, a built-in audio mixer, alerts/chat integration, simultaneous multiplatform streaming, and more. It also features a Layout Wizard, making it easy to switch between scenes and angles.
However, the free version is limited in functionality and you need a subscription to take advantage of everything XSplit has to offer.
5Streamlabs Talk Studio
Pros
- Web-Based Livestreaming Software
- 1080p Streaming & Recording Support
- Incredibly Simple to Setup & Use
Cons
- Too Simplistic for Professional Streamers
- Not Compatible with VPN and Browser Extensions
- Hour Streaming Limit on Free Version
Streamlabs Talk Studio is an incredibly simple-to-use web-based streaming software. This means you don't need to download anything, and can stream from your web browser!
Plus, it's got robust functionality and allows multiplatform streaming on YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also customize your banner, logo, header, background, ticker, overlay, and more.
Talk Studio also allows you to stream and record at the same time, making it easy to create videos from VOD content.
However, it's functionality is pretty limited so it might not be the best platform for professional streamers. Additionally, the free plan is quite limited and has a 4-hour streaming limit while 1080p resolution streaming is limited to the $17/month Pro plan.
6vMix
Pros
- Comprehensive Feature set for Streaming and Recording
- Plentiful Input Support
- Multistreaming Support
Cons
- Only available on Windows
- Premium Plans are Expensive
- Not Suitable for Beginner Streamers/Content Creators
vMix is the ultimate production powerhouse for both video content and streamers. It's an incredibly feature-packed software that's catered to professional producers and live streamers.
Firstly, vMix supports a wide range of inputs including webcams, cameras, IP cameras, capture cards, and more. There are also 100+ animated titles, tickers, and scoreboards making for an expansive library of templates.
You can also use custom titles and PSDs for your streams. vMix also supports up to 4K resolution recording and streaming and up to 4 overlay channels.
However, a downside is the subscriptions can cost a pretty penny, with the base plan costing $50 per month, and ranging up to $1200 for a Pro plan lifetime subscription.
7StreamElements
Pros
- Powerful Visual Editor for Overlays, Themes, Widgets
- Entirely Free
- A well-stocked library of Templates
Cons
- Unintuitive UI and Layout
- Requires Another Software for Streaming
- No Multi-streaming Support
StreamElements is a plugin that is compatible with other streaming software like OBS Studio. While it can't go live by itself, it's a fully packed tool to create and use well-designed overlays, themes, widgets, alerts, and other elements on stream.
It also comes with a powerful visual editor which allows you to create your own themes and overlays. You can also work off predesigned templates to make them match your branding.
And since it's a cloud-based software, your PC doesn't require any additional resources to help it run. It works best if paired with software like OBS Studio where editing overlays and themes can be complicated.
And best of all, almost everything on StreamElements is free! If you're looking for a way to easily and quickly customize your streaming overlay, StreamElements is a great choice.
3. Which Twitch Streaming Software Should You Pick?
Platform | Price | User Friendliness (/10) | Multistreaming Support | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|
Twitch Studio | Free | 9 | No | Beginners |
Streamlabs OBS | Free or $19 per month | 8 | Yes | Gaming-oriented live streamers |
OBS Studio | Free | 7.5 | No | Professional Streamers |
XSplit | Free or $15 per month | 8 | Yes | Professionals looking for software for hosting & events |
Streamlabs Talk Studio | Free or $9 per month | 8.5 | Yes | Streamers looking for a less resource-intensive, web-based streaming platform |
vMix | $50 per month | 7 | Yes | Professional production teams and streamers |
StreamElements | Free | 9 | No | Whoever needs to create well-designed themes, overlays, alerts, and widgets |
4. Bonus: Screen Mirror across Various Devices with AirDroid Cast
While streaming is a fantastic option to connect to fans, sometimes you just need a simple app to cast your screen to other devices and friends. In that case, AirDroid Cast is the solution you're looking for!
AirDroid Cast is a comprehensive screencasting solution that makes it easy to share your screen with other devices. Here's a rundown of some of AirDroid Cast's key features:
Key Features
- Multiplatform Support: AirDroid Cast is available on all major platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and a web platform!
- Plentiful Connection Options: You can connect with AirDroid Cast with a wired connection, AirPlay, or wireless! You can even cast to devices on different Wi-Fi networks!
- Two-Way Audio Support: You don't need another app to listen and talk to viewers as AirDroid Cast supports two-way audio and device audio sharing!
If you'd like to try AirDroid Cast to mirror your phone screen to PC, check out our simple guide below:
- Step 1.Download and install AirDroid Cast on your mobile phone and computer. You can either download the app by clicking the button below, going to the official website, or from the application store in your device.
- Step 2.Launch the app on your PC, and you will see a QR code or Cast Code under the Wireless section.
- Step 3.Launch the app on your smartphone, scan the QR code on the PC, or enter the Cast Code and tap Start Casting.
- Step 4.Accept the casting request and you can successfully mirror your smartphone to your computer.
5. Conclusion
And with that, we've reached the end of our list of the best Twitch streaming software. With the list, you should have a better idea of the options available right now and what they have to offer.
While there is a wide variety to choose from, it mainly depends on how familiar you are with tech and complicated software. For most beginners, we'd recommend Twitch Studio or Streamlabs Talk Studio.
But if you're taking live streaming seriously, to eventually switch over to Twitch Studio, OBS Studio, or Streamlabs Studio for a more comprehensive feature set.
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