Head-to-head · Lecture Capture Software
Opencast vs Stream
Opencast leads on 1 check, Stream on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreOpencast · 8.8/10
- Free planonly Opencast
- Most featuresOpencast · 4 of 5
Opencast scores higher on our rubric for lecture capture software: 8.8 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.
Opencast offers free plan; Stream doesn't. On deployment, Opencast gives you On-premise where Stream offers Cloud.
Opencast is the better fit for budget-conscious institutions with technical teams. Stream is the better fit for teams wanting predictable-priced lecture workflows.
- Opencast fits best
Budget-conscious institutions with technical teams
- Stream fits best
Teams wanting predictable-priced lecture workflows
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Side by side
| Feature | Opencast 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | Stream 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #4 in Lecture Capture Software | #8 in Lecture Capture Software |
| Best for | Budget-conscious institutions with technical teams | Teams wanting predictable-priced lecture workflows |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | $49/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Linux | Web |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs | Email, Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Integrations | 12 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Opencast 4/5 · Stream 3/5 | ||
| Automatic captions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Searchable transcripts | ✓ | ✓ |
| LMS delivery | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-camera capture | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Live streaming | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment | On-premise | Cloud |
| Retention period | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Opencast is an open-source video management and lecture-capture system for academic institutions. It supports scheduled and on-demand recording, live streaming, browser-based recording through Opencast Studio, media processing, caption and… Read the review → |
Stream is a lecture capture and video learning platform for academic institutions and organizations that record, import, manage, and deliver instructional video. It syncs recordings from Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex, then adds… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Opencast — where it wins
- Scheduled, on-demand, and live lecture recording
- Captions, transcription, editing, and searchable slide text
- LTI, LMS, academic platform, and media integrations
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires institutional infrastructure management
- Linux-based hosting may demand technical administration
- Some classroom workflows require external capture agents
Stream — where it wins
- Syncs recordings from Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex
- Searchable transcripts, chapters, captions, and translation in 98 languages
- Supports Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, LTI, and H5P workflows
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is offered
- Paid plans use annual billing
- Starter includes one video integration and one transcription hour monthly
- Opencast8.8/10 · Free plan
A capable, free lecture-capture system for institutions with technical teams.
Visit OpencastFull verdict → - Stream8.3/10 · Paid
Predictable-priced lecture capture with transcription, LMS delivery, and searchable recordings.
Visit StreamFull verdict →
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All lecture capture software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





