One cannot underestimate the importance of streaming software for live streams used by different brands in different industries.
The global enterprise video market has a booming audience of over 700 million.
Best Streaming Software
With this kind of broad reach, you have endless possibilities in the video streaming industry!
You can promote products, live stream your gaming content, and earn money through live-streamed content.
Setting up a live stream is relatively easy.
The essential tools for filming your video content are a camera, a microphone, a mobile device, a stable internet connection, and reliable streaming software that offers the best streaming services for you.
Choosing the best streaming software from the available options could be daunting.
Many streaming platforms in the market offer free access, video editing software, team management, subtitles/captions, AI-powered video and audio editing, and other exciting tools that make live streaming a breeze.
Before choosing the best live streaming software for you, there are some key considerations you need to make.
The first is compatibility. Most live streaming software options allow you to broadcast on multiple platforms simultaneously.
If this option is more suited for you, you need to consider the compatibility of your preferred streaming platform with other social media platforms you’d like to broadcast on.
The features offered are the next thing to consider when choosing live streaming software.
You need to know the kind of video editing tools provided, the video quality, live video inputs, and other streaming tools that make video streaming a pleasant experience.
If you’re new to video streaming, you could stick with the basic features first, then work up to trying advanced ones as you progress.
However, if you need more, you must look out for the advanced features offered by the different streaming software you are choosing and the cost to gain access to them.
The final consideration you should make is the pricing of the streaming software.
You need to know how much it costs to get the features you want to make the best of your video streaming experience or if you want to stick with a free streaming software first.
If you’re starting newly, free live streaming software options could be best for you.
However, if you are into advanced live production and want to get the best out of live streaming, you need to pay for advanced features like video editing.
Some streaming software offer a free trial that allows you to try these advanced features for some days before paying for them.
Some offer a paid and free plan so that you can choose the most convenient option.
Choosing what seems to be the best streaming software for you might not be easy at times since you have to look for specific criteria.
However, despite the buzz and wide range of streaming software product offerings, we have compiled a list of the ten best live streaming platforms that offer the best streaming services for your live streams.
This list will give you a detailed breakdown of what to expect from these streaming software and let you know which ones offer free version software and how much their paid subscription costs.
With the reviews from every streaming service mentioned here, you’re sure to get the ideal one for unlimited streaming, on-demand broadcasts, and many more.
In no particular order, the list of the best streaming software are:
The Twitch streaming software is a famous Amazon-owned brand that offers an interactive live streaming service for content like gaming, sports, music, and other forms of entertainment.
Twitch is one of the best free streaming software as it offers video content creators the essential streaming tools they need at no cost.
The popularity of the streaming platform offers you an excellent start for your live streaming career at no charge.
Key Features
Easy Integration: Twitch’s most unique feature is that it can be integrated with other streaming software.
It is handy when you need to use Twitch and Youtube simultaneously.
For example, if you want to stream pre-recorded videos from YouTube on Twitch, you can integrate both platforms effortlessly with another streaming software.
Doing this means you can schedule pre-recorded videos and live stream them at your convenience.
Split-screen Display: A split screen display means that your audience sees what your monitor is displaying and can hear/play your video through the smaller window at the edge of your screen.
Affiliate Links: With Twitch, your viewers can purchase things, e.g., your products, through links while they stream videos.
From the sales, you as a live stream creator can get proceeds, commissions, etc., whenever you make a sale.
Real-time Interaction: Twitch lets you interact with your live stream viewers through comments, suggestions, and Q&As.
Built-in Tools for Creators: Twitch offers many built-in tools that make streaming easier for creators and viewers.
One handy feature they offer is that they allow you to save a previously streamed video file from your favorite creator or instant replay if you’ve missed a live stream.
Accessing these video files later is beneficial, as you can have an archive of past video recordings, which can be used for different purposes.
Twitch does not offer paid options for creators.
On the contrary, they have subscription plans for viewers of the platform to support the creators.
While you can watch on the free version, you could subscribe to a paid plan to support your favorite creators and get access to a couple of extra benefits like using emotes, sending chat badges, and having access to the chat rooms of exclusive live streams.
Twitch Prime, the paid plan of the Twitch platform, offers subscription fees from $4.99 to $24.99.
Additionally, you can choose a free trial before fully getting on a subscription plan. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you get free access to the Twitch Prime platform as part of its benefits.
Pros
One of the best live streaming software for live gaming.
The user interface is friendly for both viewers and creators.
It offers both a free version and paid version.
Cons
The long stream delay makes it hard for creators to interact in real-time with their viewers.
Ad displays are not removed whether you are on the free plan or using the Twitch Prime plan.
You can’t broadcast on both Twitch and Youtube without using external streaming software.
Go2Games is a retail game provider that offers exclusive gaming equipment and distributes fun games for entertainment purposes.
They also provide streaming tools you can integrate with other open-source software for a better live streaming experience.
key features
Easy interface: The Go2Games software makes it easy for users to interact with the software and easily access what they need.
Pricing
While Go2Games does not have its live streaming software, the pricing on the platform depends on either the game you’re buying or the streaming platform you’re using to live stream.
Pros
You can always depend on them to provide exciting games.
Their easy interface makes their software easy to navigate.
cons
They don’t provide vast streaming tools for creators.
This software gives you access to hundreds of games that can either be streamed or downloaded.
When paired with a live streaming software like OBS studio, the experience is enhanced, as you have access to a wide selection of games that you can broadcast to a broader audience.
key features
It can be paired with an external live streaming software like OBS studio to provide the best streaming experience possible.
Pricing
Green Man Gaming does not offer pricing for its streaming service. However, if View Details ’re integrating another live streaming software like OBS studio, then you don’t need to pay, as it is a free streaming software.
Pros
It gives you access to a wide range of video games you can live stream.
Cons
It needs to be paired with an external streaming software like OBS studio to live stream to a greater audience.
NVIDIA is a global corporation widely famed for the invention of graphics processing units (GPUs) and is the leading producer of high-end GPUs today.
Aside from GPUs, they produce integrated circuits used in electronic game consoles and personal computers.
NVIDIA is a significant contributor to the growth of the gaming industry, as they are known for their ground-breaking graphics innovations that have built the gaming industry into what it is today.
They are famous for creating graphics cards for the Microsoft video game console, Xbox.
To run a live stream on NVIDIA, you need to get the GeForce RTX GPU setup, which comes with an inbuilt encoder known as NVENC. NVENC works independently and lifts the burden of encoding the video files from the CPU.
Along with the NVIDIA Live Broadcast Software, an open broadcaster software, they work together to enhance your live streaming experience by providing incredible graphics and outstanding video quality.
With these cutting-edge features, NVIDIA aims to indulge you in the best streaming experience you can have
key features
High-end Quality: NVIDIA is dedicated to providing high quality by offering you high-end GPUs and streaming software to help you fulfill all your live streaming needs, from stream recording to broadcasting.
Studio Mode: With the help of NVIDIA’s high-end streaming tool, you can convert your gaming space into a virtual studio using AI-powered audio and video effects.
With these tools, you can do cool stuff like customizing your background and removing background noise, thus making stream recording hassle-free.
Exclusive Optimizations: The NVIDIA free streaming app integrates with other live streaming software like Facebook, Discord, Twitch, and Youtube.
To achieve this, you have to connect to another open-source streaming solution like Streamlabs OBS, OBS studio, and XSplit.
It is incredibly easy to do this with the NVIDIA Broadcast App.
Pros
High-quality video recording with the aid of quality hardware tools that increase the quality of the videos.
Essential AI-powered video editing tools.
Cons
It needs to connect to an open-source streaming software to be able to broadcast on multiple media.
Getting the setup hardware is quite expensive.
XSplit is a live video streaming software that allows you to record and live stream gaming content, live events, and other entertainment for different purposes.
While XSplit is often compared to OBS studio, users say that the brilliant in-game overlays offered by XSplit give it an advantage, making it easier to initiate chats on the platform.
Key Features
Easy Integration with other Live Streaming Software: XSplit offers easy integration with live streaming software like Twitch and Youtube.
Access to a Wide Range of Tools: XSplit gives you access to some excellent video editing tools that let you edit and schedule videos for live streaming.
They also offer tools that help in video recording, audience analytics, audience engagement, animation, and many more.
These tools and more help XSplit retain its title as one of the best streaming software.
Social Media Integration: Aside from merging with streaming software like Twitch, XSplit allows you to integrate your social media accounts and simultaneously live stream on them.
Video Monetization Tools: XSplit provides tools that help you monetize your live streams and make a living.
pricing
XSplit has a free version. However, they also have three paid versions with different prices, depending on the category and duration.
XSplit VCam Premium: This package offers tools for editing and removing watermarks from the stock media library and VIP support from the customer support team.
It is priced at $8 monthly, $30 annually, and $60 for lifetime access.
XSplit Broadcaster Premium: This package offers different tools to improve live streaming.
You get all the features of the XSplit VCam premium, along with new features like multi-streaming, which allows you to broadcast your live stream on different platforms, and unlimited background scenes that make live streaming more fun.
Pricing starts at $15 monthly, $60 annually, and $200 for lifetime access.
XSplit Premium Bundle: This special package by XSplit encompasses all the live streaming tools that the XSplit streaming software has in its arsenal.
This premium package unlocks all the features, including early access to new releases and private beta access for all new products.
With the features offered, it is unarguably one of the best live streaming software in the market.
The subscription prices start at $20 monthly, $70 annually, and $230 for lifetime access.
pros
The streaming software is easy to install and use.
They offer a wide range of tools that make it possible to integrate social media accounts, stream on Twitch and Youtube, and many more.
They offer monetization options for creators looking to earn a living from their live stream videos.
cons
Accessing the advanced features are expensive.
Users have complained of latency issues, which makes live streaming slower.
Microsoft is a multinational technology corporation that builds consumer electronics, computer software, and other products.
They own a couple of successful software products; however, their most prominent product in the gaming industry is the Xbox video game console, built with NVIDIA graphics cards.
Another superior product of theirs is their live streaming software, Microsoft Stream.
Microsoft Stream helps to view, organize and stream the recording of videos. It is under the Office 365 tools suite and can be combined with Streamlabs OBS to give creators access to live stream on different media.
key features
Video Analytics Tools: Microsoft’s streaming software provides video analytics tools that give you different metrics on the video’s view count, average time spent processing the video clips, and many more.
Getting feedback like this helps you improve the quality of your live stream, thus serving your viewers better.
Video Editing Tools: Microsoft Stream offers a range of essential video editing tools that improve your raw video files.
Integration: Using external live streaming software, you can integrate Microsoft Stream with other media channels.
pricing
Microsoft Stream is housed under the Office 365 suite with three different pricing plans.
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise: This package offers the premium edition of the Office apps and cloud-based storage and sharing. It is valued at $12 (excluding VAT) monthly.
Office 365 E1: Getting this package means you gain access to the business tools offered by Microsoft, which include business email, cloud storage and sharing, Office on the web, Teams (meetings and instant messaging), and more.
Note that Office apps are not included in this package. Pricing starts from $10 (excluding VAT) monthly.
Office 365 E3: This is a combination of the Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise and Office 365 E1. As an added value, you get extra security and compliance benefits. Pricing starts from $23 monthly.
Pros
It offers a host of editing and analytics tools to monitor the progress of your videos.
It is packaged alongside other tools in the Office 365 suite to provide you with enterprise tools that you can utilize.
You can integrate with external streaming software to live stream your videos.
Cons
Without integrating with other streaming software, you will be unable to live stream videos.
Razer is a multinational technology company that produces consumer electronics, gaming hardware, and other related products.
Their high-end hardware products offer high-res ISO recording and high-quality video live stream.
Razer has a community program for live stream creators, known as Razer Streamer Program. They have a streaming software for Twitch, which is more like a partnership.
This partnership allows you to get the best out of your live streaming career by giving you access to different tools provided by the live streaming software they are partnered with.
key features
High-end hardware products: Razer offers an array of quality hardware products for the best gaming and live streaming experience.
Integration: Razer offers streaming software for Twitch, which gamers can utilize for live streaming purposes. Recently, Razer partnered with Wasder, a gamer network, and introduced a Twitch extension called the “Wasder Chroma RGB Scheduler.”
This extension feature has a “live synced lighting experience between live stream creators and gamers. It means that users of the Chroma RGB devices will receive the usual notifications, accompanied by the unique light notifications.
Also, streamers will receive notifications of new followers and subscriptions in the same format, and their viewers will also get those light notifications when the streamer is going live.
According to the team, this new extension fosters more interaction and engagement between the streamers and viewers when live streaming.
Pricing
The pricing depends on the streaming software used. However, the price of the Razer hardware components being used to make live streaming better are pretty pricey, depending on what you’re getting.
Pros
Quality hardware products for all your gaming and streaming needs.
Unique notification live stream alerts for users of the Chroma RGB device.
One of the best Twitch streaming software.
Cons
They do not have a standalone live streaming software.
Best Buy is a multinational retailer of consumer electronics.
While they don’t have their live streaming software, they offer high-quality hardware products that you can use for video streaming on the best streaming software in the market.
key features
High-quality hardware products: Best Buy offers an array of high-quality hardware products for different purposes, e.g., multi-track audio recording, which you can use on the best live streaming software for an upgraded live streaming experience.
Pricing
The pricing depends on your streaming software options with the hardware streaming products bought from the Best Buy retail store. The pricing for the hardware products depends on what you’re buying.
Pros
It offers quality hardware electronics that can be used for unlimited streaming and gives you access to most live streaming software.
Cons
They do not offer a standalone live streaming software.
Onestream is a live streaming software that prides itself on being one of the best streaming software used for pre-recorded streams and schedule-pre-recorded videos for on-demand broadcasts.
With Onestream, you can also use Wirecast studio, OBS Studio, XSplit, and more for simultaneous multi-broadcasting. They have a free version and offer a free trial on their paid packages.
key features
Social Media Integration: Onestream helps you to broadcast your live stream on over 40 channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, and Youtube.
Live Spaces: This is a unique feature on Onestream that allows you to live stream on a customized web page, whether or not you have a personal website.
Custom RTMP Streaming: This feature lets you personalize your live streaming destination using Server URL and Stream Key.
Pre-recorded Streaming: With this feature, you can schedule pre-recorded videos for up to 60 days to be live streamed to your preferred media channel. It also offers an instant replay of live streams.
Cloud Storage Integration: With Onestream, you can reduce the internet bandwidth spent by importing your videos directly from cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.
Diverse options for uploading: With Onestream, you can choose to upload your videos in any format you choose. You can select stored videos from your device, use a camera to record, or screen-cast the content from your device.
Captions/Subtitles: You can add captions and subtitles to your pre-recorded video clips using SRT files.
Well-formatted Chat System: Onestream makes interaction during live streams easier with the introduction of unified chat systems which bring all your chats together on one screen, even if you’re broadcasting on multiple platforms.
Team Management System: With Onestream, collaborations are easier because you and your team members can live stream easily.
In addition to all these features mentioned, when you use Wirecast studio with Onestream, Wirecast offers you a free iOS camera app that lets you stream to more than one destination. All these mind-blowing features and more await you when you live stream with Onestream.
Pricing
Onestream offers four pricing options; the free trial version, the basic paid package, the standard package, and the professional package. You can pay the paid plans either monthly or annually.
The Free Trial Version: This version offers the following features;
The downsides to the free version are;
The Basic Plan: This plan encompasses all the features unlocked in the free plan, including the non-accessible tools in the free trial.
The difference between this package and the other paid packages is that the other ones have higher numbers, e.g., video storage, live spaces bandwidth, etc.
Prices start at $10 for monthly payments and $8 monthly if you’re paying annually.
The Standard Plan: The Standard plan contains all the features offered by the Onestream platform, including intensive customer support care.
The difference between the Standard and the Professional package is that the Professional package is more extensive in terms of bandwidth offered. Other than that, they both have the same suite of tools.
The Standard plan costs $39 for 1-month and $32 monthly if you opt for the annual plan.
The Professional Plan: The Professional plan has a more considerable size bandwidth for all the tools offered by Onestream.
This comes with additional perks like one-on-one training and a dedicated customer support manager to assist you with your streaming needs and help you get the best out of Onestream.
With these fantastic tools, you can achieve unlimited streaming and lots more! The Professional plan is pegged at $79 for 1-month and $66 per month if you’re paying annually.
Pros
Amongst the best streaming software in the market.
They offer a free version and a paid version.
Onestream offers multi-broadcasting on multiple channels.
They are a great streaming software for Twitch, as you can easily broadcast your content simultaneously when you integrate it with tools like OBS studio or Wirecast studio.
They offer team management systems that make live streaming between you and your team members easier.
They offer cloud storage integration, reducing the internet bandwidth you spend directly uploading your content.
Cons
Their free trial version does not offer as many features as their paid plans.
GameStop Corporation is a technology corporation that retails video games, consumer electronics, and other gaming products.
While they are not streaming software, they broadcast their events using Twitch. Also, they sell authentic gadgets that boost your live streaming experience. What’s more, with Gamestop, you can access other streaming software for Twitch for you to easily live stream your game content.
key features
Gadgets for live streaming: GameStop offers an array of devices that improve video streaming quality and a catalog of exciting games you can play and live stream.
pricing
Unless you’re buying games or other electronic products, GameStop does not have pricing for live streaming software. Instead, you use free live streaming software or paid options, depending on what you want.
Pros
They offer exciting games for entertainment and live streaming purposes.
Cons
They do not have a standalone live streaming software.
Live streaming has become a huge culture these days.
Events, online classes, concerts, etc., can be broadcasted live to your preferred social media platforms simultaneously when you use streaming software.
Also, live gaming has become a thing. Gamers can hold live tournaments for gaming enthusiasts to watch, which is a fascinating entertainment option.
While social media platforms offer live streaming tools, you cannot compare the video quality and features to those of a dedicated live streaming platform.
Also, you cannot broadcast your video clips on multiple platforms without live streaming software.
When it comes to using dedicated live streaming software, the possibilities are endless.
Other reasons why you should use dedicated streaming services to live stream your video content are:
The best streaming software offers you different streaming tools that help you deliver the best live streams to your audience. In a nutshell, using live streaming platforms help you up your live streaming game while giving your audience a robust experience.
Having looked at the different companies listed and their product offerings, they give a distinct view of what to expect from a streaming platform.
Based on the tools and features offered, the best gaming streaming software for gaming is Onestream.
Onestream ranks as the best because it is not only safe but also unique and has various tools that make it possible to have the live stream experience. Onestream also offers a free trial version and three different paid plans.
Aside from Onestream, another good software for live stream gaming is the NVIDIA Live Broadcast app, which works with the GeForce RTX GPU setup with the NVENC inbuilt encoder.
This inbuilt encoder makes it possible to stream high-quality videos and incorporate streaming tools like OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, and XSplit to be able to broadcast on multiple channels and lots more.
Twitch is also another good software known for its flexibility. With Twitch, the possibilities are endless.
You can broadcast on multiple channels when you use streaming software for Twitch (e.g., OBS studio), you have monetization options as a creator, and you can stream gaming content with no hassles.
Other notable mentions are XSplit and Razer, which come with a suite of tools/integration options to improve live gaming. Though users might argue that XSplit could do better, there is no doubt that they indeed offer value with the kind of tools they have in their suite.
Note that if you intend to use the software to live stream non-game content, you could consider the other options listed. However, looking out for these unique features is essential when you want to live stream video game content. The reason is that they help you live stream quality content that also gives your viewers the best streaming experience they can ask for.
Since the pandemic, streaming software have become popular, and live stream gaming has become a huge culture. This culture has led to technological advancement, leading to an explosion of nifty features offered by these streaming platforms.
When choosing the ideal platform for your live stream (especially if you are a live stream gamer), you must carefully browse the available tools and choose what works for you.
You also need to know if the software is free or paid, and if you decide to opt for a paid plan, make sure what is being offered is what you need for your streaming needs.
Additionally, it is important to choose software that lets you broadcast on multiple channels simultaneously. Doing this helps to improve visibility and reach out to a greater audience.
Furthermore, you should consider Onestream, Twitch, and NVIDIA Live Broadcast App for your live stream gaming needs.
These live stream software products are undoubtedly the best for your gaming and other entertainment needs. Asides from that, they provide monetization options to help you boost your career in video streaming.
Running an advanced live production can be a game-changer for your streaming career. The right streaming tools can help make it the best experience, so choose the right software today to make the best of it.
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