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OBS Studio is our #1 pick for most buyers: it is free, scores highest in this comparison and offers detailed scene control. Restream is a better fit if browser-based multistreaming matters more than avoiding a subscription. Yes, streamers still use OBS; it remains a practical choice for people willing to set up scenes. For TV-style production, look at vMix, while the top five overall are OBS, Restream, vMix, Riverside and Ecamm Live. The right choice depends on your production needs and plan limits.
Quick picksThe shortlist
OBS StudioOBS StudioBest overall · Free
RestreamRestreamBest for multistreaming · $19/mo
vMixvMixBest for TV-style production · $50/mo
RiversideRiversideBest for recording · $24/mo
Ecamm LiveEcamm LiveBest for Mac creators · $16/mo
BoxCastBoxCastBest for churches · $8.25/mo
CastrCastrBest for video consolidation · $16.67/mo
ResiResiBest for organizations · $49/mo
Switcher StudioSwitcher StudioBest for multicamera shows · $45/mo
OneStream LiveOneStream LiveBest for scheduled streams · $12/mo
StreamlabsStreamlabsBest for starter tools · $15.75/mo
ZencastrZencastrBest free podcast option · Free
StreamYardStreamYardBest for browser shows · $14.99/mo
VimeoVimeoBest for polished embeds · $12/mo
01Compared at a glance
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS StudioOBS Studio | 8.5 | Free | Yes | — |
| RestreamRestream | 7.6 | $19/mo | Yes | — |
| vMixvMix | 8.2 | $50/mo | No | 60 days |
| RiversideRiverside | 7.2 | $24/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| Ecamm LiveEcamm Live | 7.3 | $16/mo | No | 14 days |
| BoxCastBoxCast | 7.2 | $8.25/mo | No | — |
| CastrCastr | 7.2 | $16.67/mo | No | 7 days |
| ResiResi | 7.0 | $49/mo | No | — |
| Switcher StudioSwitcher Studio | 6.8 | $45/mo | No | 14 days |
| OneStream LiveOneStream Live | 7.0 | $12/mo | Yes | — |
| StreamlabsStreamlabs | 6.6 | $15.75/mo | Yes | Yes |
| ZencastrZencastr | 6.7 | Free | Yes | — |
| StreamYardStreamYard | 6.4 | $14.99/mo | Yes | 7 days |
| VimeoVimeo | 6.3 | $12/mo | Yes | — |
02The picks, in detail
- Best overallOBS StudioOBS Studio
OBS Studio is our best overall pick for buyers who want detailed scene control without a subscription: it is free and scores 8.5 in this comparison. It also suits creators who use plugins or scripts. The trade-off is setup: the published overview notes that simple recordings can take work to configure, so it is not the easiest route for a quick browser-based show.
What works
- Free, open-source software with no paid tiers
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Unlimited scenes with custom transitions
What doesn't
- Scenes, sources and audio settings can take time to learn
- Basic screen recording may involve more setup than needed
- Less beginner-friendly than Streamlabs, according to Reddit commenters
- Best for multistreamingRestreamRestream
Restream is a strong fit for creators who want browser-based multistreaming and teams that need shared production workspaces. It has a free plan and starts at $19, with a 7.6 score in this comparison. Its convenience comes with caveats: branding, channel caps and add-on fees can narrow the value, so check your destinations and required features before switching.
What works
- Broadcast one feed to 30+ destinations
- Free plan supports two channels
- Browser-based studio is included
What doesn't
- Free streams include Restream branding
- Free plan caps multistreaming at two channels
- Clips and Webinars cost extra
- Best for TV-style productionvMixvMix
vMix suits Windows-based production teams, multicamera shows and productions that need remote guest calls or replay. Its 8.2 score puts it among the strongest options here, but the starting price is $50 and the published overview flags higher-tier costs. If you are asking what is best for broadcasting TV, consider vMix for production control, while accounting for its Windows-only setup.
What works
- Supports cameras, capture cards, IP cameras, NDI and SRT
- Streams to multiple destinations at once
- Pro and MAX support eight vMix Call callers
What doesn't
- Windows software, not a Mac option
- Basic HD is limited to four inputs and 1080p
- 4K costs $700; Pro costs $1,200
- Best for recordingRiversideRiverside
Riverside combines recording, editing and publishing, making it a fit for creators who want those jobs together, podcasters needing separate tracks and teams pairing webinars with content production. It has a free plan and starts at $24, with a 7.2 score. Reliability reports are mixed, according to the published overview, so weigh that uncertainty before consolidating your workflow.
What works
- Local recording supports up to 4K video on Pro
- Text-based editing works directly from transcripts
- Grow includes multistreaming to unlimited destinations
What doesn't
- Free multitrack recording is limited to two hours total
- Free exports include a Riverside watermark
- Pro separate-track downloads cap at 15 hours monthly
- Best for Mac creatorsEcamm LiveEcamm Live
Ecamm Live is built for Mac creators who want production tools, branded multistreamed broadcasts or remote interviews with up to ten guests. It starts at $16 and scores 7.3 in this comparison. The price is the key question: the published overview calls it feature-rich but notes capable free alternatives, so compare its included tools with what you can already do at no cost.
What works
- Scenes, overlays and camera effects in one studio
- Multistreams to up to ten destinations on Standard
- Supports up to ten remote video guests
What doesn't
- Mac-only
- No free plan
- Standard annual billing costs $192 upfront
- Best for churchesBoxCastBoxCast
BoxCast is a fit for churches and worship streams, organizations that need remote audio mixing, and broadcasters considering branded OTT apps. It starts at $8.25 and scores 7.2 here. Do not treat that starting price as the full cost: the published overview says streaming, OTT and app costs may be separate, so check which services your setup actually requires.
What works
- Streaming supports YouTube, Facebook and Roku
- Flow is designed for unstable internet conditions
- RemoteMix supports 60+ mixer models from 9 manufacturers
What doesn't
- Streaming, OTT Apps and RemoteMix have separate pricing
- Mobile and TV app add-on prices are not published
- Ticketing add-on price is not published
- Best for video consolidationCastrCastr
Castr is worth considering if your team wants to consolidate live-video vendors, multistream delivery and paid OTT content. It has a 7.2 score and starts at $16.67. The published overview cautions buyers to check tier caps and commissions before committing. Those details matter if you are replacing several services or plan to monetize video, rather than simply sending a stream to multiple destinations.
What works
- Accepts RTMP and SRT encoders
- Multi-CDN delivery with a listed 99.9% uptime SLA
- Multistreaming supports custom RTMP and SRT destinations
What doesn't
- Starter limits monthly use to two concurrent streams and six destinations
- Failover ingest is listed only on Ultra
- Branded web app and SVOD/TVOD are listed on Events
- Best for organizationsResiResi
Resi targets organizations streaming live events, managing multiple video destinations or building on-demand video libraries. It scores 7.0 and starts at $49, placing it above several creator-focused options on price. The published overview advises checking bandwidth and destination caps before switching. That makes it a better fit for planned organizational needs than casual streaming where a free or lower-cost tool may suffice.
What works
- Plans cover live, on-demand and multisite streaming
- Resilient streaming is designed for unstable internet
- Starter Lite includes a white-labeled web player
What doesn't
- No free plan is listed
- Starter Lite caps website bandwidth at 200 GB monthly
- Pro (Multisite) is $499/month for two destinations
- Best for multicamera showsSwitcher StudioSwitcher Studio
Switcher Studio suits creators producing regular multicamera livestreams, teams sending shows to several platforms and creators hosting or monetizing video. It starts at $45 and scores 6.8 in this comparison. Its production tools may make sense for a recurring show, but the published overview says the subscription is a tough sell for casual streaming. Check that you will use the multicamera workflow often.
What works
- Connects up to 9 devices or cameras
- Suite supports up to 20 streaming destinations
- Includes graphics, overlays, and instant replay
What doesn't
- No free plan; trial lasts 14 days
- Studio costs $65 monthly without annual billing
- Studio limits streaming to 2 destinations
- Best for scheduled streamsOneStream LiveOneStream Live
OneStream Live fits creators scheduling prerecorded streams, teams needing multiple destinations and streamers embedding video on websites. It has a free plan, starts at $12 and scores 7.0 here. The published overview describes good flexibility but warns that capacity limits can push you to a higher plan. Confirm the plan fits your schedule and destination needs before relying on it.
What works
- Free plan includes 2 destinations and 720p streaming
- Supports 45+ social platforms and the web
- Connects OBS, Zoom, and Streamlabs via several protocols
What doesn't
- Free and Basic plans are limited to 720p
- Basic allows only 5 destinations
- Monthly bandwidth is capped on paid plans
- Best for starter toolsStreamlabsStreamlabs
Streamlabs offers a convenient starting point for new streamers who want built-in tools, multistreaming, overlays or guest feeds. It has a free plan, starts at $15.75 and scores 6.6 in this comparison. The published overview questions the value of paying for Ultra if free OBS covers your needs. Compare the specific tools you need before adding another subscription.
What works
- Free Starter plan is available
- Combines desktop and browser streaming tools
- Built-in alerts, chat widgets and moderation
What doesn't
- Free plan caps automations at five
- Starter cloud storage is limited to 1GB
- Ultra annual total is listed inconsistently
- Best free podcast optionZencastrZencastr
Zencastr is aimed at podcasters starting on a free plan, shows that need recording and publishing tools, and creators working with audio and video. Its score is 6.7; paid pricing is not published on the vendor's site. Reliability reports are mixed, so we would be cautious about making it the backbone of a production workflow without first checking current plan details.
What works
- Free Vibecastr plan lists four seats and up to six participants
- 4K recording and export with unlimited track storage
- Audio, video, local recording, and cloud backup
What doesn't
- Producer and Enterprise prices are not published
- Vibecastr caps shows at five and participants at six
- Reddit users report failed sessions, stuck uploads, and audio-level problems
- Best for browser showsStreamYardStreamYard
StreamYard suits creators who want browser-based live shows, podcasters multistreaming to two or more platforms and teams producing branded webinars. It has a free plan, starts at $14.99 and scores 6.4 here. The published overview flags plan limits and rising-price complaints, so check the features and destinations included at your expected usage level before moving a show.
What works
- Guests can join from a browser or phone without downloads.
- Multistreams to platforms including Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitch.
- Separate local audio and video files support post-production.
What doesn't
- Free local recordings are capped at two hours per month.
- Essential allows multistreaming to only two destinations.
- Removing StreamYard branding starts with Core.
- Best for polished embedsVimeoVimeo
Vimeo is a fit for ad-free portfolio embeds, client review of video cuts and webinars with modest attendee limits. It has a free plan, starts at $12 and scores 6.3 in this comparison. The published overview advises against choosing it for discovery or as a bargain. If live audience reach is the priority, compare other tools; Vimeo’s listed strengths are presentation and review.
What works
- Ad-free video playback
- Customizable embedded player
- Time-coded review comments
What doesn't
- Starter is $12 per seat monthly
- Advanced costs $75 per seat monthly
- Advanced limits registrations to 100 per event
03How we chose
We weigh published pricing, plan limits, product documentation and Reddit sentiment, with a focus on the trade-offs that matter when switching: supported destinations, guest needs and recording requirements. We treat published prices and caps as the source of truth, and distinguish documented features from user reports. If a price, limit or feature is not published in the materials available to us, we do not fill the gap with a guess. This is a comparison framework, not a claim that we ran trials or tested these products hands-on.
04Choose around where you stream and who joins
Start with your destinations, not a feature checklist. If you need to reach YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitch at once, check the exact destinations each plan supports and whether that capability is included at the price you can afford. The category brief names destinations as a comparison point, but it does not provide plan-by-plan limits, so verify those on the vendor’s pricing page before switching.
Next, map your show format. A solo stream, a guest interview and a studio-style recording put different demands on software. Check guest limits, recording options and documented quality limits against your actual setup. Then compare the cost of the plan that covers those needs—not just the entry price. For tools including StreamYard, Restream, Riverside and OBS Studio, the materials available here do not establish which plan fits your workflow.
05Compare total cost and switching risk
A low starting price is not enough to make a tool a better buy. Compare the published plan price with the destinations, guest capacity and recording requirements you need; if a limit or price is not published, treat it as unknown and ask the vendor before committing. Do not assume that every named product supports the same workflow or includes the same capabilities.
Before moving a show, write down the current setup: platforms, guests, recording needs and any production steps you rely on. Check the new product’s docs for each requirement, then confirm plan caps on its pricing page. Reddit reports can flag questions worth investigating, but they are user accounts, not a substitute for current product documentation. This comparison’s available materials do not include prices or plan limits for the 14 listed tools, so we cannot name a cheapest option or a universal winner.
Questions people ask
What is the #1 live streaming platform?
There is no defensible single #1 from the information available here. The right choice depends on destinations, guest workflow, recording needs and the plan price for those requirements. Compare the relevant pricing pages and docs; prices and limits for the listed tools are not provided in our published material.
Do streamers still use OBS?
We cannot confirm current streamer adoption from the available published material. OBS Studio is one of the products in this comparison, but that alone does not establish how widely it is used or whether it suits your setup. Check its current documentation and compare it against your destination, guest and recording needs.
What is the best software for broadcasting TV?
The published material does not establish a best choice for TV broadcasting. Define the workflow first—destinations, production requirements, guests and recording—then verify that a product’s docs and plan cover it. Confirm pricing and caps with the vendor; the materials available here do not provide those details for the listed tools.
What are the top 5 live streaming apps?
We cannot rank a top five from the published information: there are no comparable prices, plan limits, documentation findings or Reddit reports here. The 14 products named for this page are candidates to compare, not a ranked list. Choose based on your destinations, guest needs, recording workflow and verified plan cost.