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Streaming Software vs. 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’s 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 powerful ones that allow you to use multiple cameras, add graphics on the fly, mix in multiple audio sources, and more.
Prices vary depending on the functionality.
But this article won’t cover the expensive stuff. You already have your expensive computer setups, so let’s try not to spend any more money.
Today, we’ll list the best free streaming software options for live-stream gaming.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio, or Open Broadcaster Software Studio, is a screen recorder and editing software that lets you create polished, professional broadcasts.
It’s the most dynamic and completely free live streaming software and screen recorder available for gamers.
OBS Studio lets you record your games, add images and videos onto your screen, mix audio and music, and adjust every aspect of your streams. It also lets you record directly from your webcam and microphone.
If this is your first time running software like this, OBS might feel a bit intimidating at first. It could take a few trials and errors before you get comfortable, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.
Before going live, try mixing things up on a prerecorded video and getting familiar with the software and workflow.
It’s 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 gives you access to all the features that made the original OBS popular.
CPU and memory usage is also lower compared to others.
This software is completely free and has a more straightforward installation process than OBS. It also has a large theme library 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 offers more functionality, a higher performance value, and a better user experience. However, this software is still in Beta and only runs on Windows, though 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 lets you 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 set that performs well for low- to mid-range computers. Its main advantage is that it encodes on the GPU rather than the CPU.
It doesn’t affect CPU performance even when running at a higher frame rate. However, it does limit compression, which increases file size and requires more bandwidth to finish uploads.
Instant Replay Mode lets you save the last 30-minute session by simply hitting the hotkey. Nvidia Shadowplay makes it easy to 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 lets recording software work without interruption and loading issues.
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