XSplit Broadcaster vs Streamlabs Desktop

XSplit Broadcaster8.6Visit Streamlabs Desktop8.4Visit

Higher score XSplit Broadcaster #4 in Virtual Camera Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit XSplit

vs

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

• XSplit Broadcaster fits best

  Windows creators combining virtual scenes and streaming

• Streamlabs Desktop fits best

  Streamers wanting alerts, widgets, and multistreaming

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Side by side

Feature	XSplit Broadcaster 8.6/10 Visit ↗	Streamlabs Desktop 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.4
Ranking	#4 in Virtual Camera Software	#6 in Virtual Camera Software
Best for	Windows creators combining virtual scenes and streaming	Streamers wanting alerts, widgets, and multistreaming
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$59.99/yr	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Email, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	9 integrations	10 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features XSplit Broadcaster 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	Free broadcasting supports up to 720p without a watermark Combines scenes, audio tracks, recording, replay, and webcam effects Streams to major services, custom RTMP, NDI, and collaboration apps	Free core streaming and recording tools Alerts, widgets, overlays, chat, and gameplay automations Multistreaming with up to 11 guests or cameras on Ultra
Cons	Windows-only desktop software Free license restrictions apply Virtual-camera output is less specifically detailed than its streaming tools	Virtual-camera output is not a central listed capability Multistreaming requires the Ultra plan Ultra costs $27 monthly or $179 annually
Our verdict	XSplit Broadcaster is Windows desktop software for live streams, recordings, presentations, podcasts, and virtual-camera workflows. It brings screen, webcam, IP camera, video, image, and web sources into production scenes, with… 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

• XSplit Broadcaster — where it wins

  • Free broadcasting supports up to 720p without a watermark
  • Combines scenes, audio tracks, recording, replay, and webcam effects
  • Streams to major services, custom RTMP, NDI, and collaboration apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only desktop software
  • Free license restrictions apply
  • Virtual-camera output is less specifically detailed than its streaming tools

• 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

• XSplit Broadcaster8.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable Windows production hub with free access, multistreaming, and premium tiers.

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

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

  Visit StreamlabsFull verdict →