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Streaming Software is Different from Streaming Platforms.
A Streaming Platform is where you bring, upload, or broadcast your game: Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, DLive, BigoLive, and many more.
These gaming or live streaming platforms allow anyone to become a streamer, but to get started, you need software to organize your content.
Streaming Software is an encoding program that is necessary for live streaming. It converts video and audio input into a digital format compatible with playback on different platforms.
Software encoders range from simple ones that broadcast your stream to more robust ones that allow you to use multiple cameras, add graphics on the fly, mix in multiple audio sources, and more.
Prices vary as well, depending on its functionality.
However, this article will not discuss all those expensive ones.
You already have your expensive computer setups; let’s try and not to spend any more money.
Today, we’ll list the best and FREE streaming software suitable for live-stream gaming.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio, or Open Broadcaster Software Studio, is a screen recorder and editing software that allows you to create seamless broadcasts.
The most dynamic and completely free live streaming software and screen recorder available for gamers.
OBS Studio lets you record your games, incorporate images and videos onto your screen, mix audio and music, and adjust every aspect of your streams. It also allows you to record directly from your webcam and microphone.
If this is your first time running software like this, OBS might appear more complicated.
It might take a few trials and errors before you become familiar with it, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.
Before going live, you could try mixing stuff on a prerecorded video and familiarizing yourself with the software and workflow.
It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux and supports Twitch, YouTube, Hitbox, Facebook, and other streaming platforms.
Streamlabs OBS
Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) is a friendlier version of OBS Studio. Its simplified interface makes it ideal for first-time streamers, yet it still offers access to all the features that made the original OBS popular.
CPU and memory usage is also lower compared to others.
This Software is also completely free and has a more straightforward installation process than OBS. It also has a vast theme library that you can use to personalize your stream.
It has a built-in text-to-speech feature and widgets. It also integrates with websites and provides everything you need to stream your game on Twitch, YouTube, and other key streaming platforms.
It has a mask feature that lets your audience dress you up through donations (pretty cool).
It has more functionality, a higher performance value, and a better user experience. However, this software is still in Beta and only runs on Windows, but you can get Streamlabs OBS Mac with Bootcamp.
Nvidia Shadowplay
If you have an Nvidia Graphics Card, this could be the best game recording software for you.
NVIDIA’s ShadowPlay, now known as NVIDIA Share, offers an easy-to-use interface for gameplay recording and live streaming. It allows you to increase your bitrate and resolution, improving the quality of your videos.
Compared to most streaming platforms, it has a solid and easy-to-use feature that performs well for low- to mid-range computers. Its primary advantage is that it encodes in the GPU rather than the CPU.
It does not affect CPU performance even when running at a higher frame rate. However, it does limit compression, increasing file size, which requires more bandwidth to finish uploads.
Instant Replay Mode allows users to save the last 30-minute session by simply hitting the hotkey. Nvidia Shadowplay lets you easily broadcast your games to Twitch, Facebook Live or YouTube Live.
However, not every game will work with NVIDIA ShadowPlay. ShadowPlay only supports games that use Direct3D, not OpenGL.
To record OpenGL, visit NVIDIA GeForce Experience > Preferences > ShadowPlay and activate the “Allow Desktop Capture” option.
ShadowPlay will now be able to record your Windows desktop, including any OpenGL games running in a window on your desktop.
Keep in mind that you need a high-performance CPU when streaming games. This is an advantage for game players because it allows recorder software to work without interruption and loading issues.
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