When it comes to choosing the right software for your audio and video production needs, it’s easy to get lost. vMix, Riverside, OBS, and Wirecast are among the most popular choices for professionals, but which one is right for you?
Read on to discover the best vMix alternatives for your needs. We first cover VMix then go into alternatives so you can easily compare and choose what works best for you.
1. vMix
What is vMix?
vMix is a comprehensive live streaming and video production software package that allows you to publish your live streaming videos on the internet quickly. With vMix’s software, you can stream videos on four different overlay channels with specific transition effects and settings. The software allows remote touch operations on Android and iOS devices with vMix Web Controller. But its interface can be challenging to use, has a steep learning curve, and may require you to have basic programming knowledge.
It’s Perfect For…
- Live-streaming professionals with intermediate-level efficiency
Features and Functionality
- Record live videos and instantly stream them across multiple channels, like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Ustream, and more.
- Achieve multiple-angle views during live streaming
- Take videos up to 4K resolution from cameras, data storage cards, webcam, and other devices.
- Produce highly customizable transition effects and live video effects.
- Use multiple camera positions to create multi-view from different angles during the live stream.
- Set up a Chroma key set or use the built-in Chrome green/blue set for producing HD videos.
- Use other additional features like built-in templates, playback customizations, and live conferencing with up to 8 people on the call.
Price
vMix prices come in five options, each with differing levels of access to Vmix’s features.
One-time pricing plans include:
- Basic HD: $60
- HD: $350
- 4K: $700
- Vmix Pro: $1200
You can also buy a subscription license for $50/month.
Pros
- Reliable platform
- Affordable one-time purchase
- Fully loaded with a wide variety of tools required for broadcasters to create a professional-looking live stream
- High stream quality
- Free trial vMix download
Cons
- The video is recorded over the internet instead of recording locally, which leads to suboptimal video recording and production outcomes.
- Unintuitive user interface
- Steep learning curve
- It takes some time to learn how to use all the features and settings
- Some difficulties with text and graphic overlays
- Only available on Windows
- Streams at a lower bitrate than other comparable software tools
- Many functionalities require expensive and complex hardware setup
- The costs can increase up to $1200 if you require advanced features
- You’d also need to invest in equipment (e.g., switchers, studio cameras, etc.)
2. Riverside
What is Riverside?
Riverside is an online platform for high-quality audio and video recording and production straight from your browser. Riverside locally records each audio and video feed during the stream, meaning that your recording will look and sound professional even if your internet is slow or the browser or computer crashes.
It’s Perfect For…
- Remote video recording and production
- High-quality video streaming for webinars, conferences, and internal use
- Content creators looking to record and produce high-quality videos and audio from the comfort of their home
- YouTubers looking for high-quality video streaming for their interviews
Features and Functionality
- Record remote audio and video interviews in studio quality directly from your browser.
- Record locally uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio and up to 4K video quality for every remote guest, even with a slow internet connection.
- Schedule and invite up to 7 remote guests with a simple link.
- Download separate audio or video tracks for each guest as soon as they are done. Your audio and video are uploaded and saved automatically while you are recording.
- Personalize your recording studio with custom branding.
- Producer mode: This user’s interactions are not recorded but they can control different session parts, such as speaking rights, changing volume levels, and monitoring remote guests’ equipment.
- Live sounboard for streaming with live sound effects as
- Touch up your recording with an easy to use Text-based Editor.
- Interact with the viewers through the chat and live call-ins while live streaming.
- Share the screen with your colleagues during a webinar or a business meeting.
- Live stream your video to social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and a custom RTMP destination simultaneously.
- Repurpose your recordings into short shareable clips with one quick click using our Magic Clips tool.
- Host recordings from the Riverside iOS mobile app. Guests can join via desktop, Android and iPhone devices.
Note: On Riverside live streams have a maximum resolution of 720p. Only the recording of your stream is recorded locally on your device and captured in up to 4k, unaffected by internet connection.
Price
Riverside offers four pricing levels, with both monthly and yearly billing options. All plans include unlimited recording and editing, but the plans differ in hours of separate tracks.
Subscription prices with monthly billing include:
- Free
The plan includes:
- Separate tracks for the first 2 hours of recording
- Up to 720p recording
- 44.1 kHz audio quality
2. Standard: $15/month
The plan also includes
- Up to 5 hrs/month of separate audio and video tracks
- Up to 4K video quality
- Up to 48 kHz audio quality
- No watermark on exported files
- Screen sharing
- Live streaming to YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook
- Producer mode access
3. Pro: $24/month
The plan includes the same features as the standard plan with more hours of separate track recordings and other additional features:
- Separate tracks for 15 hours of recording per month
- 4K video quality
- Up to 48 kHz audio quality
- No watermark on exported files
- Screen sharing
- Live streaming to YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook
- Producer mode access
- Live call-ins from audience members
- Unlimited transcriptions
4. Business: Customizable
The plan includes:
- All the Pro features
- Full frame view
- 29.97 and 24 FPS
- Team spaces - shared work environment for team members
- Custom recording packages
- Custom branded streaming studio and green room
- Master Service Agreement
- Customer Success Manager and Live Support
- Onboarding and training
- SSO (Okta, Azure + more)
Pros
- Reliable platform
- It does not require any additional recording equipment and software
- Video and audio is recorded locally, which results in a studio-quality recording without worrying about internet connection.
- Simplicity and user-friendly interface
- Affordable monthly pricing
- Custom recording packages for Business plan users
- All plans include up to 8 users in a recording session
- Audience members can call in live
- Free plan
- Text-based editor for quick and easy editing.
- Easy content repurposing with Riverside’s Clips feature.
- Automatic transcriptions
- Mobile App for recording on the go.
Cons
- It doesn’t include transition or live video effects
3. OBS
What is OBS?
OBS Studio or Open Broadcaster Studio is an open-source tool that provides various streaming features. The software uses classic streaming and video encoding processes, producing reliable, high-quality outputs. With OBS Studio, users can manage multiple audio and video layers from different sources to create interactive live streams. This tool is popular with gamers needing a platform for live streaming their sessions on Twitch and YouTube.
When it comes to vmix vs OBS, OBS is a live-streaming tool and doesn’t have in-platform capabilities to host live-streaming sessions. You’d need to connect it to other video-streaming services to use.
It’s Perfect For…
- Basic streaming and video encoding needs
- Gamers needing to live stream from different sources
Features and Functionality
- Record live streams and stream over YouTube, Facebook, and other popular channels.
- Creating screencasts
- Use of different camera sources for live streaming
- Use an unlimited number of video, audio, and file sources like FLV/MP4 video files and ACC/MP3 audio files.
- Produce transition and basic video effects with filters like Chroma key.
- Choose between light and dark user interface themes.
- Use a built-in basic audio mixer.
- Enhance functionality via plugins.
Price
OBS Studio is available for free with all major features.
Pros
- Reliable tool
- Free and open-source
- Supported on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Easy connection to online video platforms like Dacast, Twitch, and YouTube
- Enhances functionality with over 20 community-developed plugins
- Supports multiple video and audio sources, as well as audio, video, and graphic files
Cons
- Requires significant effort on basic setup
- You’d have to connect it to a streaming platform to be able to use it.
- No link sharing capabilities. OBS is a tool, not a platform. You can multi-stream simultaneously across different platforms, but there’s no platform-agnostic space to watch the live stream in the way that Riverside has.
- Steep learning curve — OBS is more suited for hardcore steamers than novices.
- Mixing sources can be complicated.
- If the source is an audio file, it is impossible to establish the link
- It does not support streaming in multiple bitrates
4. Wirecast
What is Wirecast?
Telestream Wirecast is a software package offering live on-demand broadcasting and seamless video production. Wirecast includes an encoder that allows several high-end functions like producing transition effects for the videos, live switching between different capture sources, and other advanced tools to create a professional look of the final output.
It’s Perfect For…
- Tech-savvy live-stream professionals looking for high-end live broadcasting software with advanced functionality and flexibility
Features and Functionality
- Use built-in Chroma key and 3D graphics.
- Broadcast live videos to multiple services simultaneously across Twitch, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and more.
- Use flash streaming support.
- Capture live videos using a desktop, webcam source, cameras, data card, and more.
- The Wirecast Cam app will take video input feeds from cameras, computer devices, and other picture files.
- Use a range of video editing tools for resizing, cropping, flipping, rotating, and more.
Price
Wirecast offers several price packages to choose from:
- Wirecast Studio: $599 with a free trial
With the basic package, you receive enhanced live production and streaming functionality. Some features you recieve include:
- Unlimited inputs and destination outputs
- 2 remote guests via Wirecast Rendez
- Audio mixer
- Integrated Stock Media Library
- 1-4 slot Multi-viewer output
- Wirecast Pro: $799 for a lifetime package or you can suscribe for $35/month.
Wirecast Pro offers advanced features for live production and streaming, including:
- Inviting up to 7 interview guests via Rendezvous
- Instant replay features
- Scoreboards
- Program feed
- 3D virtual sets for green-screen use
- ISO camera recording
- Support for a broader range of capture devices
- Additional Upgrades
Additional Wirecast upgrades include:
- Wirecast Insider Access: $99/yr
- Premium Access: $299/year
Pros
- Available on both Mac and Windows
- Simple graphic user interface
- Very easy to set up
- A broad range of pre-defined parameters for encoding and customized encoding options
- Using videos on Facebook and YouTube, the users can access the Simulcast options.
- Offers unique stream settings for different resolution levels
- Platform integration with multiple input sources allows for easy sharing
- Integrated Facebook Live support
Cons
- A very high cost for the Wirecast Pro version
- Requires more RAM space and higher Intel processors
- There are no options for viewing live comments
- Advanced support requires an extra annual fee
Record Studio-Quality Video Streams with Riverside.fm
Undoubtedly, streaming video applications are highly functional and quite complex. In a nutshell, they present a real-time video editing system with audio and video mixing, multiple camera angle control capabilities, a range of inputs, and an encoding backend to live stream over the internet.
Depending on decision factors like your goals, budget, and computer devices available, there is a perfect video streaming software out there for anyone: from the free, open-source OBS Studio to the high-end Wirecast.
While some tools like vMix are created for live streaming, others, like Riverside, provide an all-in-one solution for not only streaming your videos but also for recording them in studio-quality from the comfort of your own home.
Suppose you are looking for an affordable, high-quality video production software platform with a user-friendly interface that does not require a complicated setup or additional equipment. In that case, we recommend you switch from vMix streaming to Riverside which also offers recording, editing and all the tools you need for video production. Start for free today.
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