TOP 10 Best Twitch Streaming Software: Free and Paid

With the first live stream introduced more than a decade ago, the streaming world has really taken over the digital world.

Thousands of people every day try to start streaming games or other types of content.

It’s no secret that the most appropriate and popular video streaming platform for that activity is Twitch. Due to this, we prepared a complete guide for beginners about the best twitch streaming software to use in 2024.

By picking one of the streaming software, you will have endless opportunities to stream like a pro. From delivering videos with a professional look to custom logos, high resolution to well-mixed audio, you will be set apart from other streamers.

As a rapidly growing market, software developers are competing to get your attention, thus making it overwhelming for you on which twitch streaming software to choose.

Here is our list:

Best Twitch Streaming Software Selections

1. Streamlabs

First of all, we would like you to introduce open-source streaming software, which is very popular among streamers.

Designed for novices as well as professional gamers, those using Streamlabs find it easier to learn and navigate.

For instance, it is easy to move your webcam feed and other elements around quickly and easily. Great streaming software that enables you to make money while live streaming + other amazing features.

One of the features is the mask feature that enables your audience to dress you up through donations – really nice.

Also, the streaming software offers hundreds of stream overlays as well as templates. When we look at the dashboard, it enables you to make adjustments through a few clicks.

What’s more, you can manage all elements without opening the browser as well as choose specific widgets for different broadcasts.

In general, the software is ideal not only for Twitch, but you can also use it on YouTube and Facebook too. The streaming software offers game-specific encoding, which results in overall CPU usage.

• Available on: Windows, MAC
• Licenses: Free
• Price: Free, except there is a premium toolkit for professionally for $12 per month. Note that you are billed annually.

To our mind, Streamlab is the best live streaming software, which enables its users to distribute content over different streaming platforms such as Twitch, Facebook Live, as well as YouTube. The software also offers chat management and tip donations.

Streamlab is easy to use as it does not require any technical knowledge. The good news is that it provides template themes that enable you to go live in minutes.

2. Twitch Studio

One of the most popular free streaming software in 2023, Twitch Studio will not disappoint you, despite the fact that only the BETA version is available.

Here’s the deal:

Designed to meet new streamers’ needs, you get to stream directly on Twitch as well as live-stream video games from the same platform.

Made to simplify your streaming experience, you get to view chats as well as activity feedback such as subscribers and followers alongside your live broadcast.

Cool right?

This makes it easier to connect with your Twitch community and keep track of your fan base. The best part of this streaming software is that you can personalize your stream to make it fit your personal branding.

• Available on: Windows 7 or Newer and MAC
• Licenses: Free
• Price: Free

Great at broadcasting live streaming or sharing a pre-recorded video of gameplay, although it does not have a lot of additional features.

Due to its automated setup, Twitch studio is easy to use and perfect for streaming beginners.

3. OBS Studio

Known as Open Broadcaster Software, OBS is a powerful open-source PC streaming software usually found at the top list of free streaming software.

Best for plugins, this software is not only perfect for live streaming but also video recordings, audio editing, mixing as well as window capturing in real-time.

Interestingly, the software also allows you to create highly customized scenes through multiple sources. These include text, webcams, window captures, and browser windows, capture cards, among others.

With this multi-view feature, you get to monitor multiple scenes and easily transition to any of them with just a single or double click.

• Available on: Windows, macOS 10.13+, and Linux
• Licenses: Free
• Price: Free

Though it is perfect for live streaming and video recording purposes, it has limited editing editions.

A bit difficult for beginners to configure the software.

4. XSplit

XSplit is one of the best streaming software that will take your streaming craft to the next level.

First of all, it is user-friendly has multiple streaming platforms and apps that enable you to capture great gameplay for live streaming or recording on Twitch or even YouTube / Facebook.

Here’s the deal:

The live streaming software comes in two versions, XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster. While both programs contain essential live streaming and recording capabilities, these programs also have some differences.

One of them is that the XSplit Broadcaster is only ideal for pros as you need access to third-party plugins.

The XSplit Gamecaster program is ideal for beginners as it basically contains only the essentials for game streaming. The Gamecaster automates almost everything, thus making it easy to stream on Twitch or YouTube. It enables you to concentrate purely on your game and audience without worrying about any technical issues.

• Available on: Windows
• Licenses: Free/ Premium
• Price: Free with basic features. However, there is a premium option that can be paid on a monthly basis, which starts at $2.50.

Though it is used for capturing gameplay for live streaming or video recording, the software is also great at video mixing.

With everything being automated, navigation is very easy, especially for the XSplit Gamecaster.

5. Player.me

When we wrote the review, we realized that not very many streamers were known this program.

So, Player.me is one of the most versatile systems to combine into your stream. A simply designed streaming app, the software does just about everything it was created for.

To start with, the software comes with overlay templates that come with donation systems, alerts, widgets, and more. Probably everything you need for starting a streaming channel, right?

Secondly, it enables you to create a gaming profile by connecting you to your gaming, social and content accounts.

This way, it will be easy to reach out to your audience on multiple platforms. Additionally, you will get to automatically post whatever you share on the Player.me application to other accounts.

Being a gamer platform, this live streaming software will be beneficial to you and your friends as you share gaming updates cross-posts to Twitter as well as connect with your fans.

On top of that, the software is compatible with OBS Studio, XSplit, and Streamlab OBS.

• Available on: Windows
• Licenses: Free
• Price: Free

Great software to create your own personal look though it is limited to one monitor.

It has a bunch of gamed-themes overlays that make streaming easy.

6. vMix

First of all, vMix is high-end streaming software, which offers some advanced features only professional streamers would wish for.

Vision mixing software you get to live stream and broadcast videos directly to the internet. On the other hand, you can switch, record, and also live stream in Full HD, SD, and 4K.

The good news is that you can do all this using multiple sources like video files, gaming cameras, images, and many more.

Built for professionals, the software offers different features depending on how much you pay. From the basic package to the pro package, you get to decide the best package for you.

The packages include:

• Basic: It is free
• Basic HD: $60
• HD: $350
• 4K: $700
• Pro: $1200

Keep in mind to get the most out vMix, it is recommended you use advanced packages such as HD, 4K, and Pro programs.

With these packages, you will get more input, overlay channels, and other features like vMix call, external output, and instant replays, among others.

Also, the touchscreen interface conveniently allows you to control your program remotely from your smartphone.

• Available on: Windows, MAC
• Licenses: Product Software
• Price: Different packages from Basic, which is free, Basic HD- $60, HD-4 350, 4K- $700, and Pro-$1200.

It has high-end features that provide ultimate professionalism for streamers.

Despite having many features, it is quite easy to operate and use.

7. AVerMedia – RECentral

Though it is still not as popular as other household streaming software, AverMedia has a lot to offer its users and provides great streaming equipment + dedicated software for streaming RECentral.

Targeting beginner streamers, the software also offers Live Streamer CAM 313, which pairs up with CamEngine software. This combination offers advanced features like effects, filters, portrait enhancement, and more.

In general, this software offers all basic – needed features for streamers: prepare scenes for the streaming sessions, source overlay, chrome key function that removes your background without a green screen, and live editing.

With all these features, you get to create more compelling streaming content.

• Available on: Windows
• Licenses: Free/Premium
• Price: The software is free but the capture cards and streaming kits are not.

Has incredible tools as it provides multiple inputs at once.

The out of box application easily allows users to capture and record without any fuss.

8. LightStream

Here’s the best part:

This streaming software for Twitch and other platforms doesn’t require downloading! Known to allow you to go live in minutes, the software is one of the world’s largest cloud-powered streaming platforms.

A great investment tool is compatible not only with Twitch but also with YouTube and Facebook.

You can use it to invite guests to your podcast show, host panel discussions, product launches, and more.

Great at enabling you to have complete creative control, Lightstream features a drag-and-drop editor that allows for unlimited scenes, creative control, and projects.

Furthermore, you get to experience stream alerts, motion graphics, screen sharing, and even display social media stuff.

All this helps increase interaction and engagement with your friends and fans alike. The best part is since everything is cloud-based and produced from your web browser, no downloads are required making it easier to live stream anywhere in the world.

• Available on: Windows/Mac/Linux
• Licenses: Free/Premium
• Price: Free

Effectively allows live chat support.

Easy to set up as no download is required.

9. Elgato

First of all, we need to say that Elgato does a really good job and offers a lot of additional equipment that makes streaming even easier.

Is it the ideal software for direct Twitch streaming?

It depends.

If you have been looking to enter the world of live streaming as well as gameplay videos, then check out Elgato. Popular among streamers and game creators, this streaming software has great features that make your live streaming easier.

• First of all, the software enables you to capture gameplay videos and save them to your computer.
• Secondly, when you connect the capture card, you get to access more features like live streaming on Twitch or YouTube with only a click of a button.

One of the leading game capture software, Elgato, usually has quite a number of game capture cards like HD60S, HD60PRO, CAM LINK 4K, and many more.

More interestingly, both OBS Studio and XSplit support the Elgato Game Capture HD, making the software versatile. Remember that every capture card is designed to maximize your streamlined workflow.

Another great feature is the Stream Deck Controller, which is a customizable control pad that includes 15 LCD keys that enables you to switch scenes, adjust audio, launch media, and more.

What’s more, you can trigger tweets, shat commands, among other stuff, by just using the Alt Tab. There are more features that will enable your streaming to be flawless such as lightning, multi-mount, green screen, and lastly, the Dock.

• Available on: Windows/MAC/Linux
• Licenses: Product Software
• Price: The software is free, but the capture cards are not.

It offers powerful game capture cards in addition to other features, enabling the user to create professional content.

Very easy to set up and use as it enables users to easily record, upload, and live stream

10. Nvidia Shadowplay

Mainly created with gamers in mind, Nvidia Shadowplay comes bundled with Nvidia GeForce graphic cards.

Encoded using Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) instead of using the Central Processing Unit (CPU), this particular software is better at recording than streaming.

In general, great at recording and sharing high gameplay videos, live streams, and screenshots, you can use Nvidia Shadowplay for free, along with your own equipment.

Although it is not at par with other streaming software as far as accessories are concerned, Shadowplay does offer amazing features to its users.

There are instant replay and recording where you can save your gameplay to your hard drive or share it on Facebook or YouTube.

Furthermore, the software allows you to capture gameplay as well as enable you to edit videos within its application. Not only that, it’s possible to make gifs in 4K as well.

• Available on: Windows
• Licenses: Free
• Price: Free (Must have an Nvidia graphics card to use the software).

It has excellent tools for video recording, but streaming isn’t its strongest suit.

A bit difficult to navigate.

Do You Need Streaming Software for Twitch?

In general, streaming software for Twitch users is one of the most important things for a streamer. It helps you to encode the stream, record it, support your camera, select multiple sources for capturing and even add additional background visuals or effects to make it even more attractive for viewers.

Can I Stream Directly From Twitch?

Yes, if you are a user of PlayStation 4, 5 or XBOX One X, you could stream directly from the Twitch platform.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, we helped all streamers who searched for the best Twitch streaming software to find the most comfortable application to start their journey on Twitch easily and confidently.

But before you start streaming games, make sure you have the right equipment – start with a good camera to stream on Twitch and a microphone.