Streaming live has become popular this year, and experts predict that it will be more prevalent in the coming years. With more people stuck at home due to pandemics and their associated lockdowns, people have had to look for ways to make their time busy and occupied. The most popular form of video streaming is gaming.
However, you cannot just switch on your laptop or desktop and begin streaming. The tool or software is not built into Mac, Windows, or any operating system. If you’re serious about streaming live, first and foremost, you have to download suitable streaming software. This blog will help you analyze the best streaming software available and find the best one.
Live streaming encoding software is a tool that converts video files into another format. The primary purpose of video encoding is to make a digital copy of the video transmitted online. You can embed and streamline digital video content right on your site.
Streaming live is time-sensitive, and it needs a professional encoder that can process the video feed in real-time.
You can use software or a hardware encoder for live video streaming.
However, hardware and software encoders have their unique advantages. A soft encoder enables the freedom to modify the codecs and bitrate, thereby increasing the video output quality. It is also cheaper compared to hardware. However, hardware works faster as it is made particularly for encoding, which makes the process streamlined and stress-free.
At present, amongst a big heap of live video streaming software on hand, it is a bit perplexing and mystifying to select the best streaming software that suits your budget and needs, particularly because the renowned streaming software has some other factors in common. If you want to get the best one, I consider looking at the different details to determine the ideal solution.
So, if you’re firm about picking the most reliable live video streaming software, you should be on guard for some of the significant factors, including the following:
Some live video streaming software available is freeware. As a matter of fact, the most common solutions are accessible for free. However, keep in mind that for some streaming software you will have to pay to get the best features and benefits.
A lot of stream ingestion takes place over Real-Time Multimedia Protocol or RTMP. You can use a lot of live streaming tools with streaming websites and social networks. However, if you utilize a substitute content delivery network, I suggest checking the streaming tool for server ingestion.
The live streaming tool comes in tiers, with diverse levels of difficulty, intricacy, and features. You may fall in love with software only to learn that it does not meet your demands. Scope out these features prior to committing to software.
The best streaming software will enable you to edit the components of the stream prior to reaching your audience. It is easy to do last-minute edits and make new parts of a video clip to make sense for the audience. You can also put in things like a live caption for clarity.
A template is also a factor to consider when looking for reliable streaming platforms. Templates make it easier to begin recording and sharing the content because you do not need to design an environment from scratch. Some of these solutions will also come with easy access to different customization features, so you are able to put in your branding to welcome as well as the “, please wait” screen.
Multiview streaming provides users multiple camera angles of a scene, enabling them to pick which one they wish to view. The most convincing application for Multiview and watch together is streaming content, including live television shows and premium sports events.
This is also a very important factor to consider when looking for the best streaming software. Extensive integrations with renowned social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. You need software that allows you to stream on all the important social media platforms at once, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
The more we can learn about our audience in real-time, the simpler it is to adapt the live stream to our needs. We must search for a streaming service that can track metrics such as new subscribers, engagement, number of viewers, and demographics to better know our target audience and what they want from us.
Make sure the streaming software offers a live chat feature. With this feature, you give viewers a way to communicate with you in real-time if they have problems or questions they cannot solve. This is better than sending an email to support teams, as with email, it is so hard to determine when you will get a response back,
When streaming, the speed of the internet of your viewers is a big consideration. A superb way to give an amazing experience to your viewers is through streaming in many bitrates at once. All products available are able to multi-stream.
When you look at the characteristics mentioned above can help you get rid of the streaming software you absolutely can’t use. If they are not within your budget, never support the platform you use, or don’t have the best features, then you should not use them.
There is a ton of streaming platforms available today. Each one is armed with an exceptional set of characteristics and functionality at a diverse price. So, to know which the best live video streaming software is, you need to think of your unique needs and goals. As you compare these encoders, you will want to ask yourself these questions:
So, keeping these questions in mind, let us explore the best live streaming software available on the market today.
Streamlabs OBS is my favorite live streaming software. This is one of the most reliable and dependable tools for live streamers. If you are eager to get started with a free live streaming encoder, Streamlabs OBS is the best choice. Based in the cloud, this encoder supports Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch, with many stream templates, overlays as well as customizations, so you are able to bring your brand personality into an event. Also, it comes with custom pause screens.
One convincing feature of this streaming software is that it has its own app store. Here, you can access a wide array of additional tools for many things, such as multiple platform streaming, streaming automation, and in-depth analytics. Also, you can embed things such as goals, alert boxes, and notifications on the software website.
A complete back-end environment provides us with more control over the customizations we share on our online platform. Widget themes are also available for diverse broadcasts. There are also themed visual layouts; it depends on the type of content we like to make and the product.
OBS or Open Broadcaster Software is an undeniable open-source recording as well as a cross-platform streaming solution. Suppose you want to make superior videos for engaged audiences. In that case, OBS Studio has so many things to offer when it comes to mixing, audio editing as well as capturing real-time content.
This is compatible with Linux, Windows, and Mac, all you have to do is to download this software, and you can begin setting up your live streams in no time. There is no option to change between screens during a live stream, access many features like noise suppression and noise gate, and a whole lot more.
OBS Studio user interface may be a bit harder for newbie users without a lot of experience in an open platform; however, the modular setting means you are able to rearrange functions to meet your needs. Also, there is a studio mode for altering the scene and a section of hotkeys for setting up simple access to its features.
A renowned name in the world of live video streaming, vMix is a premier visual mixing solution that supports all forms of streaming through audio and video. You can make and share superior content in 4K and record live streams for later applications. The superb output means that it is simple to make a professional-looking video quickly.
One important thing that makes this live streaming software apart from the rest and particularly amazing is access to an extensive array of movie formats such as AVI and MOV. What is like about this encoder is that I could utilize up to 13 different transition effects without spending any amount, and there is a three-dimensional acceleration. Graphics, animated titles, and sticks support the personalization options on the live stream, and you are able to put in guests if you need.
vMix is a renowned choice for creators and companies in search of a live concert tool as well as a streaming service provider. It also comes with pre-built templates to help you get started, easy integrations on social media, and slow-motion replays as well.
I’ve been spending a lot of time looking for a live streaming app for console gameplay until my friend recommends xSplit. This encoder is ideal for recordings, capturing streaming live gameplay, and a whole lot more. xSplit made sure I was able to begin sharing my gaming skills with the world in just a few seconds. Not like some live streaming encoders out there, this one also comes with an array of useful ways to develop a good and long-term relationship with your viewers via live chat, stat monitoring, and recent event alerts.
This comes with project mode that allows you to display many screens to many devices which you connect to your computer’s graphics unit. This live streaming software makes the art of streaming live easier and simpler by tackling encoding requirements on your behalf and making sure you have 100% control over the quality options.
Options like NVIDIA NVENC are also available to customize the settings for superb quality and performance. There is also intuitive editing setting where you can put in donation trains, tips spaces, follower alerts, and many others easily and quickly.
Sometimes if you concentrate on streaming live to only one streaming platform, the number of audiences can be minimal than you would anticipate.
Restream performance insights are able to assist you in monitoring audience statistics together with video stream metrics. With the capability to multi-stream to more than thirty social platforms, this live streaming software is able to connect with the viewers basically regardless of their location.
Restream has been extensively utilized by my favorite gaming companies, such as Ubisoft and Activision, together with presidential campaigns as well as non-traditional broadcasters. Together with Restream Studio for real-live production, the Scheduler enables users like us to stream a video at a future date. Through organizations, scheduling can focus on different time zones at the right time or pre-produce video in a content editing program they are more comfortable with, like Adobe Premiere.
So, it could be so hard for those who are just starting out to forecast which software your video will perform the best. Therefore, why not stream to many platforms at once? A live streaming software like Restream can help you with this matter.
I highly recommend OneStream live streaming software to everyone, both newbie and seasoned streamers. This is one of the best streaming software solutions on the market, as it has the whole thing a streamer and content creator may need. This user-friendly software enables users to stream and record content with just one press of the button. Also, you can easily distribute the streams to more than forty social media sites.
Multi-cast the video to different social networks in real-time and at once, and schedule pre-recorded content to appear on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites up to two months in advance. Also, you can embed your live streams into your site, put in captions and subtitles to improve clarity as well as try with the integration of cloud storage for things such as Google Drive and DropBox.
Features take account of playlist streaming to custom RTMP streaming and many different upload options without the need of installing software. Also, you can set up live chat to interact with your audiences.
Are you a professional content creator or a streamer searching for live streaming software that will meet your needs? If so, look no further than Wirecast.
This software was made by Telestream and is considered one of the best streaming software on the market. This software was made to make experiences that feel similar to watching professional television.
Users can tap into a very flexible as well as user-friendly user interface to make the entertainment feed that suits them the best. It is easy to get started, with plug and play features and without complex and intricate encoding.
Wirecast also comes with an array of essential features to boost the superiority of the stream, which include a production kit. Therefore, you are able to adapt the sound and look of the content. Even if this software is a bit costly compared to other solutions, it covers all forms of streaming conditions, regardless of geography.
Features such as ISO recording helps in keeping the video archived for use later. You also acquire a multi-viewer setting where you can check every live stream, and there is a stock media library with quick access to music, backgrounds, and videos.
This software offers streaming and video hosting solutions with integrated software encoding abilities. While this one is not only an encoding solution, it also supports transcoding and live encoding. This software is armed with the tools needed to host the video content. This unified streaming platform integrates with some encoders like Wirecast, vMix, and OBS to offer the resources needed for superior broadcast.
Dacast offers complete live streaming as well as online video hosting solutions. Those who utilize this software keep 100 percent ownership of their video content. Among the other features, this also provides password protection, an integrated video paywall, referrer restriction, and an analytics dashboard.
I highly recommend this live streaming software to gamers out there, not only because it is free to use but also intended for those who use Twitch. Though relatively simple if you compared to some solutions available, Twitch is ideal for people who love the idea of showing their files on Twitch.
There is a simple setup experience, so you can begin streaming the content fast, and there is also support for newbies in the type of hardware detection, step-by-step onboarding, and suggested settings for audience friendliness. Starter layouts help users jump in, and also, there is support for different audio sources.
Users can customize streams by combining content from iPad and iPhone tools, and including it with live chat, activity feed, and a whole lot more.
This is a very popular cloud-based live streaming solution; thus, getting started is easy and fast. All you want to do is to access the software in your browser. It comes with a drag and drop editor that has projects, scenes as well as creative controls. This is simple and easy to use.
Extensive 3rd party integration for social platform displays, motion graphics, and on-stream alerts assist you in improving viewers’ engagement.
As live streaming becomes popular at this point, the number of remarkable streaming solutions available is growing. We have stated just a handful of encoders for you to consider, like OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, Dacast, etc., if you want an open-source streaming platform.
Always keep in mind to take time to consider what you want from software prior to investing. If possible, it is always advisable to try some free version prior to spending your money.
