vMix vs Streamlabs Desktop

vMix8.5Visit Streamlabs Desktop8.4Visit

Higher score vMix #5 in Virtual Camera Software 8.5/10 60-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit vMix

vs

Streamlabs Desktop #6 in Virtual Camera Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Streamlabs

• vMix fits best

  Windows live-production professionals

• Streamlabs Desktop fits best

  Streamers wanting alerts, widgets, and multistreaming

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Side by side

Feature	vMix 8.5/10 Visit ↗	Streamlabs Desktop 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.4
Ranking	#5 in Virtual Camera Software	#6 in Virtual Camera Software
Best for	Windows live-production professionals	Streamers wanting alerts, widgets, and multistreaming
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$50/mo	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	7 integrations	10 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features vMix 0/3 · Streamlabs Desktop 0/3
Scene composition	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Background effects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Audio routing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Windows, macOS
Camera inputs	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Virtual camera outputs	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines switching, graphics, chroma key, recording, replay, and remote guests. Supports YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Vimeo, NDI, and SRT workflows. Offers up to 4K resolution and five simultaneous live streams on MAX.	Free core streaming and recording tools Alerts, widgets, overlays, chat, and gameplay automations Multistreaming with up to 11 guests or cameras on Ultra
Cons	Runs on Windows rather than as a browser-based studio. Higher tiers require substantial one-time payments. Does not include a free plan.	Virtual-camera output is not a central listed capability Multistreaming requires the Ultra plan Ultra costs $27 monthly or $179 annually
Our verdict	vMix is Windows-based live video production and streaming software for broadcasters, event producers, churches, educators, sports teams, and other organizations. It combines camera, video, image, audio, NDI, SRT, graphics, titles, virtual… Read the review →	Streamlabs Desktop is downloadable desktop software for live streaming, recording, and audience interaction on Windows and macOS. It is aimed at streamers, gamers, and creators who want scene and source management alongside alerts,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• vMix — where it wins

  • Combines switching, graphics, chroma key, recording, replay, and remote guests.
  • Supports YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Vimeo, NDI, and SRT workflows.
  • Offers up to 4K resolution and five simultaneous live streams on MAX.

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Windows rather than as a browser-based studio.
  • Higher tiers require substantial one-time payments.
  • Does not include a free plan.

• Streamlabs Desktop — where it wins

  • Free core streaming and recording tools
  • Alerts, widgets, overlays, chat, and gameplay automations
  • Multistreaming with up to 11 guests or cameras on Ultra

  Where it doesn't

  • Virtual-camera output is not a central listed capability
  • Multistreaming requires the Ultra plan
  • Ultra costs $27 monthly or $179 annually

• vMix8.5/10 · 60-day trial

  A Windows desktop production suite with switching, replay, graphics, guests, and multistreaming.

  Visit vMixFull verdict →
• Streamlabs Desktop8.4/10 · Free plan

  A capable free streaming suite, but virtual-camera workflows are not its clearest focus.

  Visit StreamlabsFull verdict →