FFsplit
FFsplit: A free Windows encoder for multi-source compositing, RTMP streaming, and local recording. Ranked #70 of 70 in Live Streaming Encoders by our editors (5.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Windows capture and RTMP streaming.
At a glance
- Editor score5.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree Windows capture and RTMP streaming
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Encoder typeDesktop
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Composites multiple video, image, text, and audio sources
- Streams and records simultaneously, with local recording support
- Exposes the finished feed as a DirectShow webcam source
Where it doesn't
- Runs only on Windows
- Documented output protocol is limited to RTMP
- The project is not in active development
Our verdict on FFsplit
FFsplit is a free Windows desktop utility for creating live video feeds from multiple sources. It is suited to creators, presenters, and streamers who need screen or window capture, camera and microphone input, overlays, picture-in-picture layers, and local recording in one application. The software can composite these elements into a live feed, stream through FFmpeg, and provide the result as a webcam source for compatible applications.
Its strongest area is source composition. FFsplit supports multiple video inputs, image and text layers, audio and microphone capture, and picture-in-picture with multiple layers. That makes it a practical fit for layouts that combine a screen, camera, supporting graphics, and text. Simultaneous streaming and recording adds flexibility for users who want a local copy while broadcasting. The DirectShow webcam output also gives the composed feed a second use beyond livestreaming, while screen and window capture cover common desktop production needs.
The main constraint is platform and protocol scope. FFsplit runs on Windows, and its documented streaming output is RTMP, so it is better suited to workflows built around that protocol than to users seeking broader protocol coverage. The project is not in active development, and the latest listed download is FFsplit 0.7.0 Test Build 26. Choose FFsplit if free Windows software with layered composition, RTMP streaming, and local recording matches your workflow. Choose another encoder if ongoing development, wider platform support, or additional output protocols are central requirements.
Your product? Our editors can test FFsplit in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
FFsplit pricing
All 1 FFsplit plans and prices →
FFsplit fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Encoder type | Desktop |
| Output protocols | RTMP |
| Maximum resolution | Not verified |
| Simultaneous outputs | Not verified |
| Local recording | Yes |
| Remote guest sources | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | ffsplit.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to FFsplit
- AWS Elemental MediaLiveA capable cloud encoder for complex AWS-based broadcast workflows.9.4
- Bitmovin Live EncoderA broad live-encoding stack for platforms, broadcasters, and streaming service providers.9.3
- Google Cloud Live Stream APIA cloud API for multi-rendition live delivery, recording, captions, and distribution.9.2
See all FFsplit alternatives →
Also Ranked In
FFsplit is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used FFsplit? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used FFsplit for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
FFsplit is listed in our Live Streaming Encoders directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/ffsplit/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/ffsplit.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update