Alternative Streaming Software to OBS
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OBS is a free and open-source streaming and recording program available on both PC and Mac, but is it the best game streaming software? What are the alternatives in 2019?
- Xsplit Broadcaster & Gamecaster
- StreamLabs OBS (SLOBS)
- Lightstream
- Player.me
- Bebo (not anymore… 😞)
- OBS.Live
- Elgato
If you are looking to learn more, we updated this for 2020 here:
Xsplit Broadcaster and Gamecaster
Xsplit has two different pieces of software, Broadcaster is similar to OBS in that it allows you to customise the entire screen with overlays and input any audio and video sources (including capture cards).
Xsplit Gamecaster allows you to stream to Twitch in a simple user-interface that works directly inside your favourite game using capture cards only. If you are streaming directly from a PS4 or XBOX using a capture card, this is the perfect software for you.
Xsplit’s products are free but are limited unless you pay a monthly subscription cost. Some things that are missing include:
- Scenes are limited to 4 (for a beginner streamer this is totally fine…)
- No simultaneous broadcasting to multiple streaming platforms
- Transitions and an express video editing tool
There is also an additional watermark on any streams that go beyond 720p in quality and/or use a higher framerate than 30FPS. For beginner streamers again this is totally fine, but as partners can stream to 1080 on Twitch… this may be an issue in the long term.
I know many streamers say Xsplit works better than OBS and uses significantly less CPU. This, alongside the simplicity of the free tools and the millions of people using it every day providing support and answers to all your questions, continues to attract new users.
You can learn more about Xsplit here: www.xsplit.com
Review: 4/5
Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS)
If you are already using Streamlabs’ own alerts and various other tools such as chatboxes within your stream… it makes sense to save CPU and screenspace by bringing it all in one place — Streamlabs OBS.
With a huge amount of free themes, Streamlabs have made it incredibly easy for new streamers to start as soon as possible. It’s free, quick, reliable and trusted by huge streamers such as Ninja, Summit1G, Lirik and Imaqtpie.
Plus, there are now Facemasks (like Snapchat/Instagram) which can make entertaining your community even better! Unfortunately, Streamlabs OBS is limited to Windows-only while it is in its beta.
Review: 4/5
Lightstream
It’s not often that you get a cloud-based streaming platform, but that’s exactly what Lightstream is..and yes. It works extremely well!
Back in August 2020, Lightstream Studio launched a new partnership with Twitch to help streamers on both Xbox and Playstation.
It enables console streamers to add all of the customizations that PC gamers enjoy like overlays, alerts, video, and other media when streaming directly from their console.
It’s honestly one of the best ways console gamers can start streaming on to Twitch without needed a huge investment in equipment or a gaming PC.
So, Lightstream looks like a great starter option for any gamer or broadcaster. It also allows podcasters to throw in a webcam-friendly video very easily.
One of the more difficult sides of streaming is multi-person or multi-camera streaming. Lightstream has realised this and developed it’s cloud-based software to allow multiple people to broadcast to the same stream.
Learn more about Lightstream here: www.golightstream.com
Review: 4/5
OBS.Live
StreamElements have created a add-on to OBS itself, and while this may be a guide suggesting alternatives to Open Broadcaster Software, the extra features and functionality that OBS.Live gives may keep you sticking around the original streaming tool.
You can learn more here: streamelements.com/obslive
Review: 4/5
Player.me
Bringing together the best of OBS, Streamlabs, Discord and Twitch itself, Player.me is positioning itself as the all-in-one tool for gamers to create content and share it online.
Learn more here: player.me
BEBO
In October 2018, BEBO announced they were discontinuing support for general streamers, and moving their tool into one for tournament players and organisers.
Could it have been an OBS killer? Potentially. A Streamlabs killer? Potentially. Bebo is creating an all-in-one tool with super low CPU and built-in everything you could ever want in a streaming tool.
Functionality included:
- Streaming
- Tips (Zero fees!)
- Alerts
- Overlays (animated ones too!)
- Built-in chat
With many more features to come, Bebo looks like a strong contender when it comes to a OBS alternative.
Review: it was a 4/5
Gameshow
I was a huge fan of Gameshow, and continue to think their software has the potential to be brilliant. However, there were severe issues when it came to upgrading the software and it would often delete your entire setup or error upon starting up. I queried this on multiple occasions and received no support.
Disappointing help from them led me to look into all the alternatives such as OBS, Bebo and Lightstream.
Review: 2/5
Wirecast
Powerful software at a high cost.
Wirecast is known more for it’s business targeted tools and highly technical options. For example it can pull in Facebook comments live, stream to Vimeo, add in MIDI controllers, image editing and multiple transitions. However, if you can afford the $695 it costs, it may be what you are looking for.
You can learn more about Wirecast here: telestream.net/wirecast/overview
Review: 1/5
FFsplit
A free, opened source alternative to OBS. It’s quite out-of-date now but if you have run out of all options then give it a try.
You can learn more about FFsplit here: www.ffsplit.com
Review: 1/5
Bonus round:
Elgato hardware — unlimited video recording at 1080p quality and 60 frames per second, many streamers use Elgato’s products to broadcast the footage and stream it through software, even more YouTubers use this to capture the game footage and edit later on.
There are alternatives to Elgato such as AVerMedia and Hauppauge. But, one strong contender being Razor’s Ripsaw which looks brilliant:
Who are we?
You can find more of what we do here:
- Website — theemergence.co.uk
- Twitter — twitter.com/emergencegg
- Twitch — twitch.tv/theemergence
- Discord — discordapp.com/invite/VxFA7Xc
- YouTube — youtube.com/channel/UCSA2aRLnFRaqO52boIb-xlA
Written by Mark Longhurst :)
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