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.
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 $50/mo |
XSplit Broadcaster | Free plan | Starts at $14.99/mo |
Streamlabs Talk Studio | 7-day free trial | Included in Ultra ($27/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