Today there are 82 different streaming software for Twitch. We spent 68 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to stream on Twitch.
What is the Best Streaming Software for Twitch?
- CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 — best of the best
- Streamlabs Ultra — best for gamers
- Riverside — best for broadcasters
- OBS Studio — best free option
- vMix — best for 4K
- XSplit Broadcaster — best for professionals
- Streamlabs Talk Studio — best for beginners
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: $49.99
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 is an all-in-one streaming, recording, and editing app. We think it’s the best streaming software because of its "one-stop shop" approach.
The Best Part:
- One-stop shop for streamers. CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 brings robust streaming, recording, and editing tools under one roof.
The Worst Part:
- It’s exclusive to Windows. CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 is exclusive to Windows, leaving Linux, Chromebook, or macOS users out in the cold.
Get it if you want an all-in-one solution to stream simultaneously to multiple platforms without having to rely on a monthly subscription.
I recommend you download CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 for a 30-day free trial, then buy it for $49.99.
(30-day free trial)
Best For
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 is best for gamers and content creators who need an all-in-one solution for Twitch streaming without committing to a subscription.
Top Features
- Multistream functionality. Stream to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and up to two custom servers simultaneously.
- Reduced system usage. Record your streams with minimum CPU & GPU consumption so that even your old PC can handle it without lag.
- Branding tools. Spice up your streams with custom watermarks, logos, and more, to protect your content and build your brand.
- Customizable hotkeys. Set up custom hotkeys to key actions, like to start or stop streaming, turn your mic on/off, take screenshots, and more.
- Console Twitch streaming. Record and stream your gameplay in high quality.
Pricing
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 offers a single pricing plan:
- CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 Deluxe: $49.99 one-time fee, for gamers and content creators who need a comprehensive streaming program with video editing, stream management, and recording features.
Try CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 today with a free 30-day trial.
Our Verdict — Best For Gamers
Price: Starts at $27/month
Streamlabs Ultra is a kickass streaming app. We think it’s the best for gamers because of all the great tools to turn regular game streams into professional-looking works of art.
The Best Part:
- It’s incredibly customizable. Streamlabs Ultra offers a wide array of overlays, widgets, and alerts to make your stream uniquely yours.
The Worst Part:
- No multistream on the free plan. Although Streamlabs offers many features on the free plan, you’ll need to upgrade to the Ultra plan for $27/month to stream on multiple platforms.
Get it if you want a feature-rich streaming solution that’ll help you build a unique experience for your audience.
I recommend you sign up for the free Starter plan to test the waters, then upgrade to the Ultra plan for $27/month.
(free plan)
Best For
Streamlabs Ultra is best for avid gamers who need a robust streaming solution to create a unique experience for their audience.
Top Features
- Stream personalization tools. Set up overlays to add some flair to your Twitch streams and establish a memorable brand.
- Collaborate with guests. Use Streamlabs’ Collab Cam tool to invite friends, add multiple cameras to your stream, and put on a show.
- AI-powered chat. Set up a custom chatbot to keep your audience engaged throughout your streams.
- Merch store builder. Design a complete merch store from scratch to sell your merchandise and bring in extra revenue from your streams.
- Repurpose your recordings. Easily create short clips for TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to increase your popularity and subscribers.
Pricing
Streamlabs offers two pricing plans:
- Streamlabs Starter: Free forever, for newbie gaming streamers who want a complete solution to provide a unique streaming experience, stream from desktop and mobile, and use free overlays and widgets, with up to 1 GB of storage space.
- Streamlabs Ultra: $27/month, or $189/year, for avid gaming streamers who need a robust streaming solution with premium features like multistreaming, console streaming, and collaboration management, as well as advanced tools for receiving custom tips, selling merch, and rewarding fans, with up to 10 GB of storage space.
The annual plan provides a 42% discount.
Try Streamlabs Ultra today with the free plan.
3. Riverside
Our Verdict — Best For Broadcasters
Price: Starts at $35/month
Riverside is a pro-grade streaming solution with studio-quality streaming features. We think it’s the best for broadcasters because of its ability to broadcast to Twitch plus all kinds of platforms, all at once.
The Best Part:
- Universal multistreaming. Broadcast to your custom platforms via RTMP or directly to Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, all at once.
The Worst Part:
- Low hour count. Riverside’s fixed-price plans cap separate audio and video track downloads at 15 to 25 hours a month. If you need more, you’ll need to go for the custom-priced Business plan.
Get it if you want a comprehensive solution to stream your broadcasts on Twitch.
I recommend you start with the 14-day free trial, then get the Grow plan for $45/month, the first plan with live streaming.
(14-day free trial)
Best For
Riverside is best for Twitch streamers who want to record high-quality broadcasts and repurpose them for social media.
Top Features
- Short-form content creation. Riverside’s editor allows you to easily transform long-form content into shareable clips that help you reach new audiences.
- Effortless guest streaming. Schedule and invite up to eight guests for your stream.
- Premium recording quality. Capture streaming videos in HD with Riverside’s local recording functionality.
- Great built-in editor. Trim and polish your stream recordings and export them in many sizes and formats, so you can use ‘em as you wish.
- Easy screen sharing. Allow your guests to share their screens simultaneously, and choose whether to keep or remove specific shares when exporting clips.
Pricing
Riverside offers four pricing plans:
- Pro: $35/month for 4K recording, unlimited transcriptions, AI editing, and 15 hours of separate track downloads a month.
- Grow: $45/month for Full HD live streaming, multistreaming to unlimited destinations and custom RTMP, and 20 hours of separate track downloads a month.
- Webinar: $99/month for webinars with up to 100 registrants, live call-ins, polls, and 25 hours of separate track downloads a month.
- Business: Custom pricing, for teams that need unlimited studios and unlimited separate track downloads.
Annual plans provide up to a 31% discount.
Try Riverside today with a 14-day free trial.
4. OBS Studio
Our Verdict — Best Free Option
Price: Free
OBS Studio is a free and open-source app for recording and live streaming on Windows, Mac, and Linux. We think it’s the best free option because you get unlimited scenes, a full audio mixer, and a plugin library without paying a cent.
The Best Part:
- Free for good. OBS Studio is free and open source, so every feature is yours from the first stream.
The Worst Part:
- A learning curve. OBS Studio gives you a blank canvas, so you have to set up your scenes, sources, and audio yourself.
Get it if you want a powerful Twitch setup and don’t mind putting your scenes together yourself.
I recommend you get started by downloading OBS Studio for free on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
(free and open source)
Best For
OBS Studio is best for streamers on a budget who want full control over how their stream looks and sounds.
Top Features
- Unlimited scenes. Mix game captures, webcams, images, text, and browser windows, then switch between scenes with custom transitions.
- Clean audio. The audio mixer gives every source its own filters, like noise suppression, noise gate, and gain, plus VST plugin support.
- Studio Mode. Preview and tweak your next scene before it goes live, so viewers never see a mistake.
- Watch everything at once. Multiview lets you monitor eight scenes and jump to any of them with a click.
- Plugins and scripts. Extend OBS Studio with community plugins, or write your own scripts in Lua or Python.
Pricing
OBS Studio offers one pricing plan:
- Free: $0 for everyone, with every feature, on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Try OBS Studio today with the free plan.
5. vMix
Our Verdict — Best For 4K
Price: Starts at $60
vMix is a live production and streaming app for Windows that lets you mix cameras, video files, titles, and remote guests into one broadcast. We think it’s the best for 4K because its 4K, Pro, and Max editions produce and stream at up to 4096 x 2160.
The Best Part:
- A TV studio on your PC. vMix handles up to 1,000 inputs, 100+ animated titles and scoreboards, instant replay, and remote guests in one app.
The Worst Part:
- Windows only. vMix runs on Windows PCs and laptops, so Mac and Linux streamers have to look elsewhere.
Get it if you want to produce 4K broadcasts with multiple cameras and live graphics.
I recommend you start with the 60-day free trial, then buy the 4K edition for $700.
(60-day free trial)
Best For
vMix is best for production teams and serious streamers who want broadcast-quality 4K shows.
Top Features
- Stream everywhere. Send your show to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and more with up to five simultaneous live streams.
- Bring in remote guests. vMix Call adds live video guests to your production, with up to eight callers on the top editions.
- Graphics built in. Pick from 100+ animated titles, scoreboards, and tickers, or design your own in GT Designer.
- Instant replay. Play back key moments in slow motion from up to eight cameras on the Pro and Max editions.
- Network-ready. Pull in NDI and SRT sources, and record in full quality while you stream.
Pricing
vMix offers five pricing plans:
- Basic HD: $60 one-time fee, for small productions with up to 4 inputs and 3 cameras in 1080p.
- HD: $350 one-time fee, for up to 1,000 inputs in 1080p.
- 4K: $700 one-time fee, for up to 1,000 inputs in up to 4K resolution.
- Pro: $1,200 one-time fee, for professional 4K productions with instant replay for up to 8 cameras.
- Max: $50/month, for 4K productions with free updates for as long as you stay subscribed.
Try vMix today with a free 60-day trial.
Our Verdict — Best For Professionals
Price: Starts at $14.99/month
XSplit Broadcaster is a streaming and recording studio for Windows with AI tools for your camera, voice, and captions. We think it’s the best for professionals because Premium unlocks commercial use, unlimited scenes, and multistreaming on every Premium plan.
The Best Part:
- No green screen needed. XSplit Broadcaster can blur, replace, or remove your webcam background, so you look polished in any room.
The Worst Part:
- The free plan has limits. Free is for personal use only and adds a watermark above 720p, so you need Premium for HD streams and paid work.
Get it if you stream or record for clients and need a pro setup that is licensed for commercial use.
I recommend you start with the free plan, then upgrade to Premium for $59.99/year.
(free plan)
Best For
XSplit Broadcaster is best for professional creators and businesses who want polished streams without a complex setup.
Top Features
- Clear audio. AI voice clarity cleans up your mic, so your voice sounds sharp on stream.
- Live captions. AI live captions turn what you say into on-screen text as you speak.
- Horizontal and vertical at once. Multi Output Mode, now in beta, streams a landscape and a portrait layout from the same scene, so you can reach mobile viewers too.
- Multistream. Broadcast to several streaming services at the same time with Premium.
- Plugins for everything. Add a gamepad visualizer, whiteboard, replay source, and more from the plugin and extension store.
Pricing
XSplit Broadcaster offers four pricing plans:
- Free: Free, for personal use, with up to 4 scenes and streaming at up to 720p without a watermark.
- Monthly: $14.99/month for Premium, with unlimited scenes, no watermark at any resolution, multistreaming, and commercial use.
- Yearly: $59.99/year for Premium, the lowest recurring price.
- Lifetime: $119.99 one-time fee for Premium, with no recurring subscription.
Annual subscriptions provide a 67% discount.
Try XSplit Broadcaster today with the free plan.
Our Verdict — Best For Beginners
Price: Starts at $9/month
Streamlabs Talk Studio is a browser-based studio where you go live or record with guests, screen sharing, and your own branding. We think it’s the best for beginners because there is nothing to download, and you can go live in a few clicks.
The Best Part:
- Nothing to install. Talk Studio runs in your browser, and guests join with a single click, without creating an account.
The Worst Part:
- 720p on Standard. The Standard plan streams in 720p to one destination, so you need Pro at $17/month for 1080p and multistreaming.
Get it if you want to start streaming on Twitch with guests without learning complicated software.
I recommend you start with the 7-day free trial, then get the Pro plan for $12/month billed yearly.
(7-day free trial)
Best For
Streamlabs Talk Studio is best for new streamers, podcasters, and teachers who want to go live with guests from a browser.
Top Features
- Your brand on screen. Add your logo, backgrounds, banners, and a ticker for a fully branded stream.
- Multistream with a click. Go live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Kick, or any custom RTMP at the same time on Pro.
- Record while you stream. Save your show in full quality, or record without going live for YouTube and TikTok.
- Separate tracks. Local recording captures each guest’s audio and video on its own track for easy editing later.
- Part of Ultra. Talk Studio Pro comes included with Streamlabs Ultra, along with the rest of the Streamlabs tools.
Pricing
Streamlabs Talk Studio offers two pricing plans:
- Standard: $9/month (or $7.50/month billed yearly) for 720p streams to one destination, with up to 5 guests and 4 hours of recording per track.
- Pro: $17/month (or $12/month billed yearly) for 1080p streams to unlimited destinations, with up to 11 guests and 10 hours of recording per track.
Annual subscriptions provide up to a 29% discount.
Try Streamlabs Talk Studio today with a free 7-day trial.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 — best of the best
- Streamlabs Ultra — best for gamers
- Riverside — best for broadcasters
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 | 30-day free trial | $49.99 |
Streamlabs Ultra | Free plan | Starts at $27/mo |
Riverside | 14-day free trial | Starts at $35/mo |
OBS Studio | None | Free forever |
vMix | 60-day free trial | Starts at $60 |
XSplit Broadcaster | Free plan | Starts at $14.99/mo |
Streamlabs Talk Studio | 7-day free trial | Starts at $9/mo |
Here are the top 50 streaming software for Twitch we considered in this review:
- CyberLink Screen Recorder 4
- Streamlabs Ultra
- Riverside
- OBS Studio
- vMix
- XSplit Broadcaster
- Streamlabs Talk Studio
- Wirecast
- OWN3D Pro
- Twitch Studio
- Restream.io
- LightStream
- Meld Studio
- Nvidia ShadowPlay
- Elgato
- AverMedia
- Muxy
- Twip
- SplitCam
- Ecamm live
- TikTok LIVE Studio
- Streamyard
- OneStream
- Streamer.bot
- Veed.io
- Nightbot
- Gecata by Movavi
- FFmpeg
- Omlet Arcade
- Owncast
- Prism Live Studio
- VDO.Ninja
- Botrix
- D3DGear
- Streamlink
- Castr
- Streamr
- Livepeer
- StreamElements
- Chatty
- StreamHatchet
- Vimeo Livestream
- Switchboard Live
- Voicemeeter Banana
- Discord
- Pretzel Rocks
- Moobot
- Action!
- Zoom
- Panopto
Frequently Asked Questions About Streaming Software for Twitch
What is the best streaming software for Twitch overall?
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 is our top pick. It is an all-in-one tool for streaming, recording, and editing, and it multistreams to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. One caveat: it is Windows-only.
Is there free streaming software for Twitch?
Yes. OBS Studio is our free pick and it is free forever. Streamlabs and XSplit Broadcaster each give you a free plan alongside their paid tiers too, and Riverside gives you a 14-day free trial.
What is the difference between CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 and OBS Studio?
CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 is the paid all-in-one for streaming, recording, editing, and multistreaming. OBS Studio is the free, open-source option. It comes down to whether you want a paid suite that does everything or a free tool you build up yourself.
Which streaming software is best for beginners?
Streamlabs Talk Studio (formerly MelonApp) is the one to reach for when you are starting out, thanks to its approachable setup. When you level up, XSplit Broadcaster is the pick for pros.
What is the best streaming software for gamers?
Streamlabs Ultra is our pick for gamers. You get highly customizable overlays, widgets, and an AI chatbot on a free plan, and Ultra adds merch selling. One caveat: multistreaming needs a paid upgrade.
What features should I look for in Twitch streaming software?
Look for built-in Twitch integration, an intuitive interface with plenty of customization, and green screen support for virtual backgrounds. Then weigh multiple scene and transition options, cloud-based streaming, and compatibility with your current gear.
What streaming software is best for multistreaming to multiple platforms?
Riverside is the one to reach for when you broadcast everywhere. It multistreams to Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and you can test it with a 14-day free trial. One caveat: live streaming starts on the Grow plan, not the entry Pro plan.
Which streaming software is best for 4K streaming?
vMix is our pick for 4K. It is the most premium option here and built for high-resolution production.
What to look for when buying streaming software for Twitch?
- Built-in Twitch integration
- An intuitive interface that requires minimal setup, and tons of customization options
- A wide range of powerful features to better your streams
- Custom overlays, animated titles, and interactive elements
- Look for extensive integrations with social platforms, like Facebook Live, Twitch, and more
- Green screen support for virtual backgrounds
- Stream settings options like frame rates, audio filters, video sources, and more
- Look for an all-in-one streaming and recording application if you want to keep it as simple as possible
- Custom transitions and scene transitions
- Cloud-based streaming solutions, so you can have high-quality streams without the need for high-end systems
- Consider mobile streaming services if you plan to stream from mobile devices
- The ability to add audio tracks and other creative controls
- Built-in widgets that add functionality to your streams
- Check if the digital formats are compatible with your tech stack
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best streaming software for Twitch to try this year:
- CyberLink Screen Recorder 4 — best of the best
- Streamlabs Ultra — best for gamers
- Riverside — best for broadcasters
- OBS Studio — best free option
- vMix — best for 4K
- XSplit Broadcaster — best for professionals
- Streamlabs Talk Studio — best for beginners