Streaming is an extremely common way to bring your talent, thought leadership, or gaming skills to the world. Whether you’re going to stream live games, kickstart your talk show, or share your creative process, you will need to find the best streaming software for beginners under your budget to make your streams professional and engaging.
The good news is, there are literally dozens of options available to suit the needs of all content creators. Some streaming tools are simple and have powerful features to allow you to advance as you gain experience, while others are great for newcomers looking to hit the ground running without learning a lot of new information.
In this guide, we look at the best streaming software for beginners, the free and paid options, what they offer, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Whether you want to stream on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook, good streaming software can help you make quality streams with ease.
Good Streaming Software Needs to Be Easy for Beginners
Before we get into the particulars, it’s worth knowing what to consider when you’re evaluating streaming software. So, what should the streaming tools be like for beginners?
- Intuitive Layout: A straightforward, user-friendly interface that’s simple to get used to — even if you’ve never streamed before.
- Customization: Although you don’t require all the advanced features at once, some options (theming, overlays, and alerts) to customize will surely make your streams better.
- Compatibility: Check that the software is compatible with the streaming platform you want to use (be it Twitch, YouTube, etc.) and allows for seamless integration with your hardware (such as your camera and microphone).
- Affordability: Most beginners are hesitant to commit until they’ve tested the waters with free software, but some paid options have valuable features that can make investing in them worth the cost as your channel grows.
- Quality: The software stream should be in HD and free of lag, ensuring all viewers enjoy a high-quality experience.
With those points considered, let us look into the best streaming software for beginners.
Best Streaming Software for Beginners
OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
Best for: Versatile, free software
OBS Studio is perhaps the most widely adopted streaming choice, particularly among novices. This free, open-source software is supported by several platforms, such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. OBS Studio has plenty of features to play with, yet it’s easy to use for beginners, making it the go-to streaming software for those who want professional-looking streams without the cost.
Features:
- Scene Transitioning: Switch between scenes like starting soon screens, live gameplay, and ending screens.
- Multiple Sources: Add video sources, images, text, even a browser source for creating a rich stream layout.
- Highly Customizable: Change the appearance of your stream using a variety of layouts, themes, and notifications.
- Stream & Record: Stream live to services such as Twitch & YouTube or record locally.
Pros:
- Free to use
- A large community with tutorials and help available
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Cons:
- User interface can be challenging for complete newbies
- Resource-heavy, especially on low-end systems
Why It’s Great for Beginners: Despite its somewhat steep learning curve, OBS Studio has a ton of online tutorials to guide newcomers. It is considered the standard in the streaming world and is free.
Streamlabs OBS
Best for: New streamers looking for an easy, built-in setup
Streamlabs OBS (typically referred to by its first half, Streamlabs) is a pared-down OBS Studio that has additional built-in tools to help you get your stream set up more quickly. It’s meant to be easy to use and offers features like custom alerts, stream overlays, and widgets virtually out of the box.
Features:
- Readymade Themes and Overlays: Access a collection of pre-included themes and overlays for immediate stream setup.
- Integrated Alerts and Widgets: Display alerts when someone follows, subscribes, or donates.
- Simple Integration: Compatible with Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.
- Stream Management: Chat management, donation tracking, analytics, etc.
Pros:
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Comes with numerous pre-arranged features and settings
- Excellent integration for alerts and donations
Cons:
- Resource-intensive on computers
- Certain advanced features are unlocked only with a Streamlabs Prime subscription (paid)
Why It’s Right for You if You’re Starting Out: Streamlabs OBS is ideal for people just getting started; it requires next to no setup and minimal fuss. With built-in alerts, widgets, and a user-friendly interface, users can get started quickly.
XSplit Broadcaster
Best for: Beginner streamers wanting straightforward setup and strong customer support
XSplit Broadcaster is another well-known streaming software platform, suitable for beginners and advanced users. It comes in both a free and paid version, with the paid version adding support for advanced streaming and recording options. It integrates with streaming services such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.
Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Add sources, scenes, and effects easily.
- Integrated Streaming Tools: Built-in chat integration, alerts, and transitions without additional plugins.
- Video and Audio Filters: Adjust your audio and video quality for a professional appearance.
Pros:
- Simple interface, suitable for newcomers
- Rapid setup with customizable templates
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Advanced functionality available only in the paid version
- Free version adds a watermark to streams
Why It’s Good for Beginners: XSplit Broadcaster’s intuitive interface and easy setup make it a good choice for beginners. However, you may need to upgrade to the paid version for full functionality.
Conclusion
The best streaming software for beginners will depend on your personal preferences, what kind of content you want to create, and the specifications of your computer. OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS are two of the most widely used and powerful tools available, but other solutions like XSplit and Lightstream Studio have unique advantages depending on what you need.
Whether you’re streaming your favorite games or crafting content for wider audiences, using the right streaming software can change your streams from amateur to professional and engaging spectacles. Keep it simple to start, experiment with different platforms, and don’t be afraid to try things out as you settle into your streaming progression.