10 Best Live Streaming Tools in 2026

Updated: February 2026

Tools for live broadcasting and streaming

Key Takeaways

  • OBS Studio is our #1 pick for live streaming in 2026, scoring 91/100.
  • We analyzed 44 live streaming tools to create this ranking.
  • 6 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 87/100 - high-quality category.
1
OBS Studio logo

OBS Studio

Free streaming & recording

91/100
Free

OBS Studio is free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming. Powerful mixing handles multiple sources including cameras, displays, and media. Scenes and transitions create professional broadcasts. Filters add visual and audio processing in real-time. Plugins extend functionality endlessly. The streaming software that powers most streamers on Twitch, YouTube, and beyond - completely free.

2
Hopin logo

Hopin

Virtual and hybrid events platform

89/100
Paid4.2 community score

Hopin transformed virtual events during the pandemic and continues to offer hybrid event solutions for conferences, trade shows, and corporate meetings. The platform combines live streaming, networking rooms, expo booths, and breakout sessions in one integrated experience. Event organizers appreciate the engagement analytics and sponsorship opportunities built into the platform.

3
Zoom Webinars logo

Zoom Webinars

Webinar platform

88/100
Paid3.6 community score

Zoom Webinars scales video events to thousands of attendees with engagement features built for large audiences. Hosts run panels, manage Q&A, and track attendance while integrations push data to marketing automation. Organizations use Zoom Webinars for product launches, training, and thought leadership events.

4
Demio logo

Demio

Hassle-free webinar software for marketers to drive engagement, conversions, and revenue.

86/100
Paid4.8 community score

Demio is a webinar platform designed for marketers and revenue teams to host engaging and high-converting webinars. It focuses on simplifying the webinar process, from setup to post-event analytics, to maximize ROI. The platform offers features for attendee engagement like polls, featured actions, handouts, and real-time chat with Q&A, allowing hosts to bring attendees to the stage. Demio provides robust engagement analytics to track attendee behavior, identify intent, and understand who was most engaged. This data can be integrated with marketing automation platforms and CRMs to drive leads through the buyer's journey. It supports automated and on-demand events, enabling lead generation around the clock, and allows for brand customization of registration pages and email notifications. Demio AI further enhances on-demand webinars by providing an AI-driven chat moderator and personalizing post-webinar follow-ups based on attendee questions. The platform is used across various business functions including marketing for lead generation, sales for automated demos and closing deals, and customer success for retention. It aims to replace clunky, outdated webinar solutions with an intuitive and reliable experience that focuses on measurable results and business growth.

5
Parsec logo

Parsec

Seamless 4K remote desktop with near-zero latency for work and gaming.

86/100
Freemium3.1 community score

Parsec reimagines remote desktop access, offering a seamless 4K experience at up to 60 frames per second with near-zero latency. It provides secure, flexible, and effortless access to computers from anywhere, making it ideal for both professional work and gaming. The platform boasts crisp image quality, high-speed streaming up to 240 FPS, and proprietary technology for fewer dropped frames and direct peer-to-peer connections. Parsec caters to a diverse user base, from individual gamers and independent professionals to large enterprises. It allows users to connect to their gaming rigs, collaborate instantly by sharing sessions, and access their personalized work environments including controllers, Wacom tablets, and multiple monitors. For businesses, Parsec offers enhanced security features like SOC 2 Type 2 certification, multi-factor authentication, and granular control over guest access, along with admin panels, SSO integration, and API access for automation. Its ease of installation and use ensures teams can get up and running quickly without extensive training.

6
Riverside.fm logo

Riverside.fm

Record podcasts and videos remotely

86/100
Freemium

Riverside is a professional remote recording platform for podcasts, video interviews, and webinars with studio-quality local recordings up to 4K.

7
Mux logo

Mux

Video infrastructure for developers

86/100
Freemium

Mux is a video infrastructure platform for developers. Stream, encode, and deliver video with a powerful API. Includes built-in player and analytics.

8
Brightcove logo

Brightcove

Video hosting platform

85/100
Paid3.0 community score

Brightcove is an enterprise video hosting and streaming platform that helps organizations manage, publish, and monetize video content across web, mobile, and connected TV applications. The platform serves media companies, enterprises, and marketers who need professional-grade video infrastructure with advanced analytics, monetization, and delivery capabilities. The platform offers comprehensive video lifecycle management including upload and transcoding, content management, player customization, and multi-platform distribution. Brightcove supports both video-on-demand (VOD) and live streaming with global CDN delivery for reliable playback worldwide. Advanced features include DRM protection, server-side ad insertion, and interactive video elements. Brightcove Video Cloud provides detailed analytics on viewer engagement, helping organizations understand how audiences interact with their content. The platform integrates with marketing automation systems, CRMs, and advertising platforms to connect video performance with business outcomes.

9
StreamYard logo

StreamYard

Live streaming studio in your browser

85/100
Freemium

StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming studio for professional broadcasts. Go live to YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more simultaneously. Bring on guests, share screens, and display comments on screen. Brand with custom overlays, logos, and backgrounds. No downloads required - everything runs in your browser. Professional live streaming without the complexity of OBS or streaming software.

10
Livestorm logo

Livestorm

Video conferencing software for webinars and virtual meetings, designed for engagement and efficiency.

84/100
Freemium3.1 community score

Livestorm is an all-in-one video platform designed for hosting dynamic online events, including webinars, virtual meetings, product demonstrations, and training sessions. It caters to marketing teams, sales professionals, HR, and internal communications, offering intuitive functionalities to run any event in minutes. The platform emphasizes brand consistency with customizable templates and permissions, and improves efficiency through seamless data transfer with CRMs. Livestorm provides a comprehensive suite of features covering the entire event lifecycle, from registration and promotion to live engagement and post-event analytics. Key functionalities include customizable registration pages, email cadences, marketing automation integrations, interactive polls, Q&A, breakout rooms, and advanced reporting. It also incorporates AI-powered features for content repurposing, captions in multiple languages, transcripts, and tools for generating webinar titles, outlines, and video scripts. Livestorm is EU-hosted, ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant, ensuring data security and privacy.

Best Live Streaming For

What is Live Streaming Software?

Tools for live broadcasting and streaming

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the live streaming software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best live streaming tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Common Features of Live Streaming Software

Automation

Automate repetitive live streaming tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Live Streaming Software?

Live Streaming software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

  • Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
  • Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex live streaming needs
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
  • Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Live Streaming Software

When evaluating live streaming tools, consider these key factors:

  1. Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. Consider your budget. 6 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including OBS Studio and Parsec.
  3. Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best live streaming software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, OBS Studio ranks as the #1 live streaming tool in 2026 with a score of 91/100. Other top-rated options include Hopin and Zoom Webinars.

Are there free live streaming tools available?

Yes! OBS Studio, Parsec, Riverside.fm offer free plans. In total, 6 of the top 10 live streaming tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank live streaming tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in live streaming software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank live streaming tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

Rankings are updated regularly as we receive new reviews and as tools release updates. Last updated: February 2026.

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