Streaming has fast become a popular way for people worldwide to interact and share experiences, with collaboration happening in areas such as gaming and sports. If you’re already familiar with any streaming software it’s likely that Twitch is one of these, given that it boasts an active daily userbase of over 30 million. To do your own streaming from sites like Twitch, however, a quality piece of software is required with which to integrate. Furthermore, for all of the benefits that come with owning a Chromebook, it’s not known for having the most powerful operating system, so it’s particularly important to find a software that functions well with the Linux-based OS. Read on to choose the streaming software that works for you. 

Top 6 Best Streaming Software for Chromebook

  1. StreamYard – Best Overall Software 
  2. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) – Best Software for Gamers 
  3. XSplit – Best Software for Multi-Channel Integration 
  4. LightStream Studio – Best Premium Software 
  5. StreamElements – Best Customisable Software 
  6. Streamlabs – Best Software for Ease of Use 

1. StreamYard – Best Overall Software 

PRICING: Free, paid plans from $20/month 

StreamYard is well-loved by users, praised for its intuitive interface and extensive capabilities. For the host, it’s easy to simultaneously stream across platforms. For the audience, the video is clear with easy options to interact with other viewers and the host. There’s a decent free version with a range of features, but for those who require more freedom with their streaming, the premium plans offer good value. 

KEY FEATURES:

  • Open source 
  • Screen sharing 
  • Live chat tool 

REASONS TO BUY:

  • The free plan includes up to 6 participants 
  • Slick functionality 

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Requires ethernet for strong connection

2. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) – Best Software for Gamers 

PRICING: Free 

OBS Studio is an incredibly popular and world-renowned piece of software amongst streamers. It can be easily configured to suit your needs, and there is an image editing toolkit to enhance and adjust your picture quality. It’s particularly popular with gamers as it can stream directly to Youtube, with users able to game, record and stream with ease. 

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports over 40 plugins  
  • Encoding 
  • Recording and broadcasting 

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Open-source 
  • Smooth UI 
  • Edit images

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Customisation can be time-consuming 

3. XSplit – Best Software for Multi-Channel Integration 

PRICING: Plans from $2.50/month 

XSplit is an affordable and robust software for keen gamers. It’s powerful at recording and streaming, for a high-quality image throughout use. The toolkit is comprehensive and substantial enough to satisfy the fundamentals of your online streaming needs. It also boasts the additional feature of being able to use your mobile device as the webcam, which is a rarity for such software. 

KEY FEATURES:

  • Image capture from Zoom, Teams, and Discord 
  • Animation tools 
  • Multi-channel integration (Youtube, Twitch, Facebook etc) 

REASONS TO BUY:

  • High resolution image quality 
  • Range of plugins and add-ons 

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Premium plans offer a similar service to free alternatives like OBS 

4. LightStream Studio – Best Premium Software 

PRICING: Plans from $7/month. 

LightStream offers powerful and intelligent streaming with a variety of tools and functions. As a web-based software, the risks that come with downloading and installing a third-party program is eliminated, leaving you more time for customisation within your browser. It’s clearly been thoughtfully designed and built, making it an excellent choice for streamers who want usability that looks good as well as feels it.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Record webcam and computer screen simultaneously 
  • Extensive toolkit for editing 
  • Cloud backup  

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Less demanding on your device’s CPU than a download alternative 
  • Live chat customer support 

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Requires strong wifi connection 
  • Pro plans are pricey 

5. StreamElements – Best Customisable Software 

PRICING:

StreamElements is a cloud-based streaming platform that saves your streaming material and offers a variety of extra tools and add-ons. You cannot live stream directly from StreamElements, rather it is designed to integrate with a streaming platform of choice. You might be thinking that it makes much more sense to have software that does it all, but with StreamElements you can can customise the extras that make streaming more interactive and even profitable. 

KEY FEATURES:

  • Discord and Patreon integration 
  • Online dashboard 
  • Build own overlays 
  • Merch e-commerce store 

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Stable software 
  • Good for brand growth 
  • Loyalty program 

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Customer support and community forums are lacking 

6. Streamlabs – Best Software for Ease of Use 

PRICING: Free version, Prime plan $19/month. 

Streamlabs is a streaming software and Twitch chatbot all in one, and provides all that you need to start streaming professionally across multiple channels – all at once, if you need. As a software it’s built on top of the OBS system, making it a powerful – albeit heavy on storage – solution to your streaming needs. 

KEY FEATURES:

  • Presets and overlays
  • Multi-channel streaming  
  • Access via mobile app 
  • Selective recording 

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Quick to get started 
  • Simple customisation
  • Stream deck with mobile and desktop access 

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Uses substantial CPU storage 
  • Prime

References and Links

  • https://streamgeeks.us/what-computer-do-i-need-to-live-stream/ 
  • https://www.softwareadvice.com/live-streaming/xsplit-broadcaster-profile/
  • https://restream.io/blog/streamlabs-vs-streamelements/ 
  • https://www.streamscheme.com/streamlabs-vs-streamelements/
  • https://blog.crosexperts.com/become-a-streamer-on-a-chromebook-c2b7e910dd61