Live streaming has become crazy big. Every social media platform is coming up with ways to get in on the live streaming fad. But Twitch is a platform that is solely for live streaming. Creators love it because they can get paid for doing a live stream on Twitch. Keep reading to find the best Twitch streaming software for you.
Top 7 Twitch Streaming Software
- Twitch Studio Beta – Best for Beginners
- OBS Studio – Best for Low Start-up Costs
- XSplit – Best for No Equipment
- Gamecaster – Best for Starting Quickly
- Streamlabs – Best for Multiplatform Streaming
- Lightstream – Best for Console streaming
- Wirecast – Best for Professional Streamers
1. Twitch Studio Beta – Best for Beginners
Pricing: Free
Twitch Studio Beta is a streaming software that Twitch made. It is easy to get everything set up so that you can start streaming right away. Your camera, microphone, green screen, and everything else have a guided setup process. They even have templates and starter layouts for free to let you customize the look of your live stream. All of the Twitch features are built into Twitch Studio Beta to help you make and grow your community.
Key Features:
- Guided Setup
- Templates
- Integrated with Twitch
Reasons to Buy:
- Made by Twitch
- Easy to get setup
- It’s free
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not a ton of customization
2. OBS Studio – Best for Low Start-up Costs
Pricing: Free
If you are wanting to start streaming but don’t have a ton of money to spend when starting out, the OBS Studio is the best software for you. This free video and live streaming software will work on Microsoft and Mac. It lets you stream on Twitch, but also on other platforms such as Youtube and Facebook. It doesn’t have any support team, but the community is very large and more than willing to help you get everything figured out.
Key Features:
- Open Source Software
- A large community of users
- Easy to figure out and use settings
Reasons to Buy:
- Live stream on more than one platform
- Can make videos to post on different platforms
- It’s free
Reasons to Avoid:
- No support team
- Takes some time to learn all of the features
3. XSplit – Best for No Equipment
Pricing: $70 per year
When you think about streaming and everything that you may need to purchase to get started, it all just seems like a lot. But with XSplit, you don’t need to worry about having all of the equipment right away if you purchase their premium bundle that gives you all of their products. They have an app that, when connected to your computer, will turn your phone into a webcam. With Vcam, you don’t have to worry about getting a green screen because it can blur the background behind you or put a picture behind you. And this works even on your phone.
Key Features:
- Mobile app
- Vcam
- Stream on multiple platforms at once
Reasons to Buy:
- It will let you get started streaming without all of the equipment
- You can use it for streaming and making videos
Reasons to Avoid:
- The premium bundle is the only bundle that has the Vcam and multiple streaming options together
- High price point
4. Gamecaster – Best for Starting Quickly
Pricing: Free
Gamecaster is the best Twitch streaming software if you are wanting to start streaming as quickly as possible. This is because the user interface is really easy to learn. It doesn’t take long to learn all of the features so you will be able to start streaming very quickly after downloading it. Gamecaster also has tons of overlays to let you make your stream as unique as possible. They also let you control the chat and tweak the audio through your phone while you are live streaming.
Key Features:
- Lots of Overlays
- Control the chat and audio through your phone
- Tons of Widgets
Reasons to Buy:
- Easy to learn how to use it
- Can customize a lot of the aspects of the stream
- It is free
Reasons to Avoid:
- Some of their features are still in Beta or not available at all yet
- You can’t add your own graphics
5. Streamlabs – Best for Multiplatform Streaming
Pricing: $19 per month
If you are wanting to stream on multiple platforms at the same time, or even separately, then Streamlabs is the best platform for you. You will be able to start streaming to any platform in minutes, even Twitch. All you have to do is push a little button for the platforms that you want to stream on. It is really as easy as that. Also, anytime a person tips you, it will show up in the stream so that you can personally thank them during the stream.
Key Features:
- Mulitplatform streaming
- Tips show up on the stream
- Lots of apps to customize your experience on the site
Reasons to Buy:
- It makes streaming on multiple platforms easy
- You can start streaming in minutes
Reasons to Avoid:
- Have to pay for Streamlabs Prime to be able to stream on multiple platforms at once
6. Lightstream – Best for Console Streaming
Pricing: $7 per month
Streaming to Twitch from your console is something that a lot of people do not know they can do. With Lightstream, it is something that you can do, and it is easy to get started. Lightstream isn’t software that you download, it works through a web browser. This means that you can look it up on your Xbox or Playstation and start streaming right away. It is also easy to add overlays and text to your Twitch live stream through your computer, which will be used for recording your face.
Key Features:
- Stream through a browser
- Can stream from a console
- Control features through your phone
Reasons to Buy:
- You will be able to live stream games directly to Twitch from your console
- Can easily customize the stream
Reasons to Avoid:
- Different price plans depending on the resolution that you want
- Can only stream from console to Twitch
7. Wirecast – Best for Professional Streamers
Pricing: $35 per month
If you are wanting to be or already are a professional streamer then Wirecast is the best Twitch streaming platform for you. This software has everything you need to always have the highest live streaming quality possible. It has unlimited camera inputs, lets you have guests live on your live stream, and has multi-track audio features. All of this put together means that your live streams will be very high quality every time you stream. You can also start streams in seconds and stream to other platforms, not just Twitch. You can get either of their plans with a lifetime purchase, or use their subscription.
Key Features:
- Unlimited camera inputs
- Start a live stream in seconds
- Tons of graphics to personalize your streams
Reasons to Buy:
- It makes sure your streams are always high quality
- Stream on multiple platforms
- Have guests on your live stream by sending them a link
Reasons to Avoid:
- A lifetime purchase is a high one time expense for both of their plans
References and Links:
- https://www.remote.tools/remote-work/best-twitch-streaming-software
- https://www.twitch.tv/broadcast/studio
- https://obsproject.com/
- https://www.streamscheme.com/best-streaming-software-twitch/
- https://www.xsplit.com/
- https://gamecaster.com/
- https://influencermarketinghub.com/best-streaming-software/
- https://streamlabs.com/
- https://golightstream.com/studio/
- https://www.telestream.net/wirecast/overview.htm