The best software for Twitch streaming: Expert tested free and paid options

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Whether you're just starting out or you're an established content creator, finding the right Twitch streaming software can be a daunting task. While there are some free and "freemium" options on the market, many programs require a paid subscription to unlock all customization and monetization features like merch stores, donation pages, and personalized overlays and alerts. Streaming newbies may also feel overwhelmed with how in-depth some streaming software can be with audio and video processing.

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However, if you're willing to do a little research and watch some tutorial videos, you can create an amazing brand for your debut or anniversary stream. Many programs use OBS Studio's open-source code as a base, meaning that if you already use OBS, you can migrate your settings, scenes, and filters over. Others, like X-Split, use their own code and often have steep learning curves, so they are more suited for experienced content creators looking for extra control over their brand and better ways to expand their audience.

What is the best Twitch streaming software right now?

I chose StreamLabs OBS as the best overall software or mobile app you can use for live streaming on Twitch or recording content for YouTube and other video platforms. It has a robust free option for creating custom stream overlays, alerts, and sound cues as well as an extensive catalogue of premium features that are available with an annual subscription. You can keep reading below to find out more about StreamLabs OBS as well as my other top choices for the best Twitch streaming software.

Pros

Free and premium versions Custom overlays and widgets Great for beginners and experienced content creators

Cons

Merch store available to subscribers only All-Star rewards program is clunky and cryptic at times No lifetime license option

StreamLabs OBS is one of the most popular choices for streaming on Twitch, and for good reason. The base version of the program is completely free, which is good news for anyone who is just starting out and might not want to invest a ton of money right away. But as your audience grows and you become more familiar with what works for you, you can opt to pay either a $19 monthly subscription or $149 for an entire year to get access to more features.

The premium features include the ability to create a custom merch store, a custom page for viewers to send donations, access to more custom overlays, streaming to multiple sites at once, and dedicated creator support. Support includes help securing products for reviews, brand endorsements, and other paid opportunities as well as enhanced troubleshooting for any issues you may have. Both the free and premium versions let you add donation and tip widgets, create custom overlays for different scenes, and create polls and giveaways to keep your audience engaged and entertained.

Streamlabs OBS features - Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Multistream support: Yes | Creator program: Yes

Pros

Free forever Robust community Unlimited customization

Cons

Steeper learning curve than other programs No overlay or widget store

OBS Studio is a completely free streaming program that a lot of other options are based on. If you're familiar with either StreamLabs or Stream Elements, you'll be able to quickly understand how OBS Studio works. Since it is open-source, you'll be able to join a robust community of coders who offer patches, bug fixes, and even mods; though the downside is a somewhat steep learning curve since you have to create all of your own overlays, alerts, and widgets.

Another downside is that you can only broadcast to a single streaming site at a time, which somewhat limits your audience if you're a more established streamer. However, if you're just starting out, streaming to a single site is easier to manage. OBS allows you to fully customize your stream, including audio filters for better compression and reduced background noise, virtually unlimited scene creation, the ability to record and live stream at the same time, and hotkeys for your most-used actions like scene transitions and stopping or starting streaming and recording.

OBS features - Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux | Multistream support: Yes | Creator program: No

Pros

Free forever Dedicated support team Great community

Cons

Stream Elements takes a cut of merch sales, brand deals, and donations Limited analytics tools

Stream Elements is another streaming software that is based on the OBS Studio source code, and it's similar to StreamLabs. The difference between them being that Stream Elements is completely free for everyone, and offers all of the same, premium-grade features as StreamLabs without a paywall. Along with live streaming to Twitch, YouTube, or even Facebook, you can create or download custom overlays, widgets, and alerts, set up a merch store, enable a chatbot for help moderating your chat, and set up custom tip and donation pages.

You can even create contests, giveaways, and loyalty programs for your audience to keep them engaged with your streams. And if you ever run into trouble with technical issues or need help getting started, Stream Elements has a dedicated support team for troubleshooting as well as a library of tutorial videos and a dedicated Discord server to connect with other users.

Stream Elements features - Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux | Multistream support: Yes | Creator program: Yes

Pros

Lifetime license available Lifetime updates and customer support Unlimited customization and multi-streaming

Cons

Free base version is very limited Steep learning curve No native macOS or Linux support

XSplit Broadcaster is a live streaming program geared towards established content creators with large audiences. Their Broadcaster software has a free base version with limited functionality, which is great for testing out if you're thinking of making the switch.

To access all features though, you'll have to upgrade to a paid subscription, which runs about $15 per month or $60 for a full year. You can even buy a lifetime license for $200, which is a one-time, up-front payment that allows you to use XSplit for as long as you want to create content. With the paid subscription, you can stream to multiple sites simultaneously to expand your audience, create unlimited scenes for streaming different kinds of content, and have a dedicated support team for troubleshooting technical issues.

And with paid subscriptions, you'll get lifetime updates to keep XSplit, and your content, engaging and interesting for returning viewers and newcomers to your chat. You can even integrate other programs like Zoom and Discord or add GIFs, static images, and music to your stream for more exciting content and to make it easier to collaborate with other creators. XSplit Broadcaster is even great for pre-recorded content like YouTube let's plays, allowing you to record several scenes at once to make post-production and editing easier.

XSplit Broadcaster features - Compatibility: Windows | Multistream support: Yes | Creator program: No

I chose Streamlabs OBS as the best software for streaming on Twitch because it offers a free version with robust features for creating custom overlays, alerts, and even branding with premium options locked behind a fee of $19 per month or $149 per year. The premium Ultra membership also grants you access to dedicated technical support, sponsorship opportunities, and exclusive giveaway entries.

Best Twitch streaming software	Price	Platform	Operating system
StreamLabs OBS	Free or $19/month	YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
OBS Studio	Free	YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok	Windows, macOS, Linux
Stream Elements	Free	YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok	Windows, macOS, Linux
XSplit Broadcaster	Up to $200 for lifetime license	YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok	Windows

The great thing about most software designed for streaming on Twitch or YouTube is that they're free, or at least mostly free. If you're looking for a program that will let you set up and go live with minimal fuss on your end, Streamlabs OBS has premade overlays and alerts you can use. But if you want more creative control, the base OBS capture program allows you to use your own branding assets like emotes and logos. Stream Elements offers plenty of chatbot options for helping both newcomers and seasoned creators alike set up automatic moderation, sponsorship messages, and stream information like chat commands and community rules.

Get this best Twitch streaming software...	If you need...
StreamLabs OBS	An accessible and well-rounded program for live streaming and recording. The free option allows creators to get started at a minimum cost while the premium Ultra membership unlocks customization options and dedicated support.
OBS Studio	An open-source option for Twitch streaming. This program is what StramLabs is based on. While it doesn't have a mobile app, it does support Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Stream Elements	A completely free program for Twitch streaming. Stream Elements offers hundreds of overlays, alerts, and other customization options and never charges a subscription fee.
XSplit Broadcaster	Premium software for streaming on Twitch. Established creators can take advantage of enterprise-quality customer support and the ability to stream to dozens of platforms simultaneously.

Whether you're just launching your livestreaming channel, or are looking to move to a different program for managing your streaming and recording, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Cost: This one may seem like a no-brainer, but just because it's expensive, that doesn't mean it's good. And when it comes to streaming software, just because it's free, that doesn't mean it's always worth using. It's important to make sure that whatever software you choose has enough features that not only justify any possible subscription costs but also allow you to actually create a stream or video. Free versions may force you to use a watermark unless you upgrade to a paid model, or will lock features like animated graphics behind a paywall.Features: A good Twitch streaming program should allow you to have at least a little creative control over the look and feel of your content, even if it's just choosing from a set of premade graphics and overlays. It should also have an intuitive enough menu to let you pick up and learn the software in an afternoon, and then mastered over the coming weeks and months as you figure out what works for your content. Compatibility: Not every streaming program is going to be compatible with every type of operating system or computer configuration. So make sure to pay attention to what components and OS your PC uses, as some may only support Windows or won't work with older components like capture cards and graphics cards.

While testing and researching each app and software program for streaming on Twitch featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:

Multi-stream support: While it's recommended for fresh content creators to focus on a single platform, experienced streamers, vloggers, and other digital creators know that eventually they'll need to be able to stream to multiple sites at once. Each program on this list supports simultaneous streaming output to popular sites like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTokCreator programs: Content creation can be a lot of work. Between branding and merch and stream planning and scheduling, creator programs offer support for new streamers who may not have the time or resources to have a dedicated merch team as well as experienced creators who may need help sourcing reputable sponsorship opportunities.Desktop and app versions: Some programs like Streamlabs have both desktop and mobile app versions of their software, giving you plenty of control over where and how you set up your stream and interact with your audience.

A good number of Twitch streamers use StreamLabs OBS to broadcast their games, music, and podcasts. This is because it has a basic free option that lets you get started right away while also providing premium features (for a fee) to experienced content creators who need more control over how their stream looks as well as things like a merch store.

If you want to stream PC games, you don't need a capture card, just some screen recording software like OBS Studio or Stream Elements. However, if you want to stream console games, a capture card is recommended since they allow you to record gameplay footage while also live-monitoring playback. They can also capture gameplay in 4K at higher frame rates for smoother playback.

If you're just looking to showcase your skills in games like Call of Duty or Overwatch 2, all you need is a gaming PC or laptop, a game, and some screen capture software. However, if you're looking to be able to provide commentary, you'll need either a gaming headset with a built-in mic or a dedicated microphone and possibly a webcam.

If you'd like a more professional setup for higher production values, you can checkout our handy guide for everything you need to become a content creator.