Watching live streams are one of the best, fun ways to pass the time for viewers. But behind the camera, facilitating live streams takes more than simply hitting the record button. With streaming software, users can live stream themselves with exhaustive tools that ensure a smooth live streaming experience for both the users and the viewers. Here are some of the best streaming software available right now.

Streaming Software

12+ Streaming Software

1. Xsplit

xsplit

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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2. OBS

obs

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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3. Epiphan

epiphan

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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4. Restream

restream

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Rating: 5/5

Price: FREE

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5. Streamlabs OBS

streamlabs obs

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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6. Nvidia Shadowplay

nvidia shadowplay

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Rating: 4.9/5

Price: Custom

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7. VMix

vmix

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Rating: 5/5

Price: FREE

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8. Lightstream

lightstream

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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9. Wirecast

wirecast

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Rating: 5/5

Price: FREE

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10. Onestream

onestream

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Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

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11. Vimeo

vimeo

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Rating: 5/5

Price: $7/month

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12. Videolinq

videolinq

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Rating: 4.7/5

Price: $49.00/month

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13. Streamyard

streamyard

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Rating: 5/5

Price: FREE

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What Is Streaming Software?

Streaming software is a live broadcasting software where users broadcast a live stream video event using a variety of open broadcaster software tools (or OBS studio for short) that are being broadcast to various social media channels. As live stream video being broadcast from the streaming software is usually done in real-time, users can directly interact with viewers making this an engaging software. Streaming software is a popular software for personal and business users, making this a popular avenue for marketing and brand management.

Benefits

Streaming software is a hugely popular software for famous social media users and businesses. While social media network sites have their own live streaming tools, using dedicated streaming software is much preferred as the software provides live broadcasting tools that are similar to broadcasting a live television show, except the difference is streaming software is all done in a singular computer device where a traditional television broadcast system requires multiple devices and software.

The software is also a popular avenue for marketing as companies can select popular individuals such as influencers to be endorsers of the product or service through media and influencer targeting software. Companies can also use this software to directly market their products and services in an attempt to boost their brand awareness. Most importantly, streaming software is also accessible to everyone. While there might be a learning pattern that may take a while for people to be familiar with, the software is designed to be easy to use for everyone as long as they know the ropes to host a live stream video event.

Features

One of the fundamental features of streaming software is that it should empower users to stream their live video content through various OBS streaming tools available. Each software may come with its own tools depending on the difficulty of the software. The software should also be able to connect with social media networks and video platforms where audiences can see the live video stream content.

It’s important to note that the live relay between the software and platforms may be delayed between a few seconds. The software should also provide interactive tools where users can directly acknowledge and interact with their audience. Another feature is that the software should provide insight and data analytics platforms tools where users can see how viewers interact with their live video stream content.

  • Livestream tools
  • Integration with social media and other platforms for broadcasting
  • Interactive audience tools
  • Data analytics on engagement, views, and shares

Top 10 Streaming Software

1. Streamlabs OBS

Streamlabs OBS empowers users with its all-in-one, open-source live streaming software that can help them grow their audience and saves their live streams to the cloud. Streamlabs has 92 employees and earns annual revenue of $13.3 million.

2. Nvidia Shadowplay

Nvidia Shadowplay helps gaming users live to stream their glorious gameplays with ease and powerful results. Nvidia has 18,242 employees and earned a revenue of $10.92 billion in 2020.

3. Wirecast

Wirecast’s live video streaming software provides simple yet powerful tools for live streaming that can help users grow their userbase. Wirecast is owned and developed by Telestream, which the parent company has 413 employees and earns annual revenue of $59.9 million.

4. Xsplit

Xsplit’s versatile live streaming software can be used for any type of live streaming event that connects well with popular video platforms. Xsplit is owned and developed by SplitmediaLabs, which the parent company has 90 employees and earns annual revenue of $13.1 million.

5. Epiphan

Epiphan’s software is designed for live event production with its highly advanced tools such as live production systems, live video transcription, and sophisticated, high-performance capture cards. Epiphan Systems has 120 employees and earns a revenue of $12 million.

6. OBS

OBS provides a free and open-source live streaming software that provides highly customizable, powerful tools that creates smooth, professional-looking live streams. OBS Solutions has 64 employees and earns revenue of $12 million.

7. Restream

Restream helps boost their users’ live streams with its highly massive network that users can stream their content to 30+ video platforms, all at the same time. Restream has 57 employees and earns annual revenue of $8.3 million.

8. VMix

VMix provides live video production software that has complete tools including recording, live switching, and live video editing. VMix has 7 employees and earns annual revenue of $1.4 million.

9. Videolinq

Videolinq provides social media users and influencers with a social media live streaming software that gives them tools to create engaging live streams. Videolinq has 7 employees and earns a revenue of $1 million.

10. Streamyard

Streamyard allows users to easily create live streaming videos without needing to download a software with its web application software that makes live streaming easy and professional, which is impressively all done in a web browser! StreamYard has 6 employees and earns a revenue of $1 million.

FAQs

What is the difference between using streaming software and webinar software?

While both streaming software and webinar software share similar features, it’s important to take note of the functionality of each software. Live stream software is used to broadcast live video that viewers can view through connected platforms, while live video broadcasted by webinar software is mainly viewed through the software itself, although webinar software can also connect with platforms for the live broadcast.

However, webinar software requires participants to directly interact with each other while live streaming software does not require its users to interact or even acknowledge their audience who are watching, though there are tools that facilitate such for users.

Some social media platforms have live streaming tools. Is it still necessary to use streaming software?

It depends on the type of live stream video content that users are broadcasting. If a user is hosting a simple live video from their phones, it’s not necessary to use streaming software. But if a user needs to use elaborate equipment to host a live stream video, they should use a streaming software where it has the tools they need to facilitate a highly engaging live stream video.

How much does streaming software cost?

Pricing for streaming software ranges from free to $49.00 per month or more, with custom pricing for some software. Pricing can depend on the features available, the difficulty of the software, and the intended target audience. Small businesses, part-time live streamers, and influencers may benefit more from free or low-cost streaming software while big businesses and famous live streamers such as gamers may benefit more from a high-cost streaming software.

To increase userbase and monetization, using the best streaming software can help users take advantage of live streaming which the software provides tools that enhance the live streaming experience for both the users and the audience.

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