7 Best FREE Live Streaming Software in 2023
Amanda Henderson
People leverage streaming software for a wide range of different reasons. Sometimes they do so for personal reasons. Other times, it is professional. Regardless, one of the most important things to understand is that not all streaming services are created equally.
We have curated a list of Top live streaming software. After considering factors like system requirements, bandwidth speed, integrations, and more, you will be able to select the streaming platform that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Best Live Streaming Software for Gaming, Twitch, and YouTube
| Name | Free Plan | Multi-streaming | Number of on-screen participants | Supported platforms | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restream | Yes | Two Simultaneous Channels | Six | Microsoft Windows, MacOS. | Learn More |
| StreamYard | Yes | Supported on Paid Tier | Six | Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux | Learn More |
| OBS Studio | Yes | Not Supported | Dictated by Streaming Platform | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux. | Learn More |
| Wirecast | Yes | Two | Unlimited | Microsoft Windows, macOS. | Learn More |
| OneStream | Yes | Yes | Up to 10 | Microsoft Windows, macOS. | Learn More |
“ Many options that do not have free plans do have free trials available so that you can try out the program’s basic functionality. You can then determine if you want to upgrade to one of the paid plans based on your needs.”
1) Restream – Best Broadcasting Software from Your Browser
Restream is a streaming platform that supports live broadcasts from your web browser and via a live software solution of your choosing. It integrates with multiple channels like YouTube and Facebook allowing you to broadcast in multiple places simultaneously. It enables you to share your current screen with the audience, play local video files during a broadcast, and more.
Features:
- Restream Studio supports your ability to add guests directly to the screen.
- Individual videos can be four hours/10GB. The library supports up to 50 videos.
- Stream to guest channels.
- Unlock Facebook pages, groups, and custom RTMP streaming.
- Supports H.264 (x264) Codec, FPS of 30 or 60, 15,000 Kbps to 500 Kbps video bitrate.
- Natively integrated into platforms like OBS Studio, SLOBS, Elgato, XSplit, and more.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Restream allows you to hold a successful live stream right from your Web browser. | Only six on-screen participants are allowed in the Free Basic Tier. |
| Provides compatibility with sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. | Recording is limited to 10 hours per stream. |
| It supports professional logos, overlays, and other branded materials. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Six with the Free Basic Tier.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows, MacOS.
Pricing Plan: Basic Tier: $0. Standard Tier: $16 per month. Professional Tier: $41 per month.
Free Trial/Refund: No Free Trial. Refunds are Allowed Within 7 Days of Purchase. Lifetime free Basic Plan.
2) StreamYard – Best Streaming Software for Virtual Conferences
StreamYard is an effective live stream and content recoding tool on your computer. It also supports streaming to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. There’s no additional software to download, and the platform itself is built with stream stability in mind. It supports slide sharing, virtual backgrounds, scrolling tickers, HD audio, and more.
Features:
- Multi-Streaming: Not Supported in Free Tier. Three
- Destinations in Basic Tier. Eight Destinations in Professional Tier.
- Number of Team Members/Sessions: Six on-screen participants in the Free Tier.
- It offers Video Hosting for Two Hours Per Month.
- It offers Integrations for YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook Live, LinkedIn, and more.
- Offers production automation tools, like playlists and hotkeys
- Supports 4500 Kbps 1080p HD video bitrate. 3000 Kbps 720p HD video bitrate. 128 Kbps audio bitrate.
- It offers built-in multistreaming with presets for YouTube, Facebook, RTMP, and more.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited streaming is unlocked with the Basic Tier. | Local recordings are limited to just two hours per month. |
| Native support for platforms like YouTube and Facebook. | The Free Tier only includes 20 hours of streaming per month. |
| Supports background music, multiple layout options, etc. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Six with the Basic Tier.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Supported platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free Tier: $0. Basic Tier: $20 per month. Professional Tier: $39 per month.
Free Trial/Refund: No Free Trial. Offers a 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Lifetime free Basic Plan.
3) OBS Studio – Best live stream software for video, audio capturing, and mixing
OBS Studio is a free, open-source application designed with both video recording and live streaming in mind. It supports high-performance, real-time video and audio capturing and mixing. The intuitive audio mixer allows you to control aspects like noise suppression and gain. It allows you to set up your stream exactly the way you want it.
Features:
- Allows users to record, edit, and stream content from their computers.
- The settings panel gives you access to a wide array of configuration options.
- Video Hosting: All videos are hosted locally.
- You can stream directly to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook platforms.
- Supports 400 Kbps video bitrate for full HD 1080p live streaming at 30 FPS.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Open-source and completely free. | Multi-streaming is not possible without the use of additional software. |
| Easily record videos for viewing back or rebroadcasting at a later date. | Beginners may have a hard time with the more advanced options. |
| Powerful and easy-to-use configuration options. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Dictated by the streaming platform, not by OBS Studio.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux.
Pricing/Free Trial/Refund: OBS Studio is a free, open-source solution.
Link: https://obsproject.com/
4) Wirecast – Best live streaming software for professional productions
Wirecast is billed as a professional live video streaming and production studio software. In addition to offering unlimited live camera inputs (including from HDMI sources, external cameras, from an iPhone via iOS, etc.), it also supports multi-track audio, live guests, screen sharing, web feeds, and more. It even has advanced features that make it suitable for live sports broadcasting. It includes the ability to show instant replays.
Features:
- Capture a variety of IP sources or anything on your computer screen
- Offers a built-in chroma key, animated graphics, layer-based compositing, and more.
- Multi-Streaming: Built-in presets for YouTube, Facebook, RTMP, and others.
- Video Hosting: Not natively supported.
- Number of Team Members/Sessions: Wirecast Studio offers two remote guests via Wirecast Rendezvous. Wirecast Studio supports seven remote guests.
- Supports 500 Kbps to 2 Mbps bitrate for standard definition 480p video. 1.5 Mbps to 4 Mbps for high definition 720p video. 128 Kbps audio bitrate for stereo sound.
- Integrations: Supports YouTube, Facebook Live, and more.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited live camera inputs (iOS, NDI, HDMI, SDI, IP). | Can be pricey |
| Flexible, layer-based compositing. | You will need to restart the session if your computer freezes during a stream. |
| Offers custom graphics, tiles, built-in transitions, and other broadcast quality features. | Heavily dependent on the quality of the user’s Internet connection during streams. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Unlimited.
Screen Recording: Yes
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS.
Pricing: Lifetime License of Wirecast Studio at $599 per month.
Free Trial/Refund: Free basic plan. All paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5) OneStream – Best All-in-One Streaming Software
OneStream is an all-in-one live-streaming solution built with professionals and hobbyists in mind. It also offers social media streaming that allows you to multi-cast to more than 40 streaming services simultaneously. It also natively integrates with third-party RTMP sources like OBS, Zoom, WebEx, XSplit, and others. Playlists allow you to queue up live videos whenever you want, and it even features an embedded player that allows you to stream directly from your own website if you choose.
Features:
- OneStream supports many additional features useful to streamers, including background visual effects, background music, media sharing, and more.
- Multi-Streaming: Support for platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Embed live streams on your own website
- Video hosting is available at an additional monthly charge.
- Number of Team Members/Sessions: Up to four with the Free Tier.
- Supports Video bitrate of 3000 Kbps to 6000 Kbps for 720p HD video. Audio bitrate of 128 Kbps.
- Integrations: It integrates with cloud storage options like Google Drive and Dropbox.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Pre-recorded streaming allows you to schedule videos up to two months in advance. | Slightly more difficult to use than many of the other options on this list. |
| Multiple branding and personalization options for streams. | Necessary add-ons will increase the price over the basic monthly or yearly subscription fees |
| There is no video file size limit when importing video directly from a cloud-based storage service. | 720p video resolution is lower than other entries on this list. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Support for up to 10 guests at one time with a paid plan.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS.
Pricing plan: Plan starts at $10 per month.
Free Trial/Refund: Free trial is available. However, no refunds are given after the billing period has started. Has a Lifetime Free Basic Plan.
Link: https://onestream.live/
6) Lightstream – Best Software for Automated Streaming
Lightstream is a solution that allows you to stream from anywhere without virtually any restrictions. It offers a variety of built-in design elements and automated layouts that let you customize the way that your stream looks and feels for branding and audience engagement. It even offers robust cloud capture options perfect for sharing streams directly from video game consoles with your viewers.
Features:
- Lightstream also enjoys mobile capabilities that allow you to stream on any Apple iOS or Android device with a camera and an Internet connection.
- Data-driven tools to engage and grow your community.
- Cloud-based console capture for Xbox & PlayStation to Twitch.
- Video Hosting: Cloud storage is included in all plans.
- Supports video bitrate of 3000 Kbps to stream 720p HD video at 30 FPS. Audio bitrate of 128 Kbps
- Integrations: Integrates with Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and others. Also supports gaming consoles as well.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Stream directly from gaming consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox or Sony’s PlayStation. | It offers multi-Streaming but only with the Lightstream Studio 2 software. |
| Unlimited streaming hours are available. | |
| Full layout and design control. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: Up to 10.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Support platforms: Microsoft Windows and macOS.
Pricing plan: Plan starting with $7 per month. Creator Tier – $20 per month.
Free Trial/Refund: Both tiers offer a one-week free trial. No refunds are available for a subscription.
Link: https://golightstream.com/
7) Gamecaster – Best streaming apps for gaming
Gamecaster is a streaming solution built with hardcore gamers in mind. It supports all the latest NVIDIA and AMD optimizations, allowing you to stream with minimal impact on performance and lag during your recording experience. It also features an intuitive audio mixer that brings multiple audio tracks together. You can even control your stream and adjust audio and video settings from your mobile phone for added convenience.
Features:
- Customizable scene setup, support for multiple sets, hotkeys for quick settings adjustments.
- Multi-Streaming: Supported, but only through the use of additional software.
- Keep track of chat and events
- Supports 4500 Kbps to 5000 Kbps for 720p video streams at 60 FPS. 128 Kbps audio bitrate.
- It offers Integrations for Twitch, Facebook, YouTube.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a library of royalty-free and DMCA-safe music for your live stream. | Built entirely for gaming, so non-gamers would want to look for a different solution. |
| Gives users the ability to control a live stream directly from a mobile phone. | Support for simultaneously broadcasting streams to multiple locations is only available with third-party software. |
| Support for tipping so viewers can donate to the stream while it is in progress. | Video Hosting: Not Available. |
Key Specs:
Number of On-Screen Participants: One.
Screen Recording: Yes.
Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows.
Pricing: Free.
Free Trial/Refund: Not Applicable.
Link: https://gamecaster.com/
FAQ:
A streaming tool allows you to take a video and audio source–be it from a computer, a webcam, or an external camera- and broadcast it live over the Internet. Viewers are seeing the video at the exact moment it is being recorded, bringing people together in a way that increases engagement and connectivity across the board.
Worldwide streaming viewing time distribution by device
Image Source: Statista
- Choosing the best broadcasting software is ultimately something you can only do after considering your use case.
- Some platforms allow you to have multiple video inputs to support more than one camera at a time – but depending on how you plan on using the platform, you may not need that.
- Others support screen sharing, HTML, ultra-low latency, and more. Please don’t start with a platform, and hope it meets your unique needs.
- Instead, list what you need a streaming service to do, and find the one that checks as many boxes as possible.
Conclusion:
By carefully considering exactly what you want from your streaming software, you’ll be able to make the selection that will meet those needs and exceed your expectations well into the future.
However, Restream and StreamYard is certainly top pick because of its extensive range of features.
