MimoLive is an all-in-one live switcher, video encoder, editor, and streaming software for Mac®. It enables you to switch multiple cameras, insert presentations, add graphics, overlay lower-thirds, social media comments, transparency with green screens, and so much more. Open Broadcast Software (OBS) Studio (Free) The best deal in software for live streaming church services! OBS works on PC, Mac, and even Linux. You get all the feature you need for professional grade live streaming at no cost. If you are technically inclined and budget is an issue, this is.

Although there are a lot of audio recording programs out there claiming to record almost any sound play on computer, the fact you should always keep in mind is that only a few of them promise capturing high quality audio. Therefore, if you care much about the quality of your recordings, choosing a proper high-powered audio recorder could really matter. Are you just looking for such recording tool but with a low budget? Luckily, among the numerous audio recording software available on internet, we are glad to see most of them are offered for free. To help you quickly pick up the best free streaming audio recorder online, we complied a list of top 5 most popular free audio recording programs that can record streaming music, radios, in-game sound, music in videos, and any other sound play on Mac and Windows with high quality.

Top 1. Audacity (Mac & Windows)

As a well-known open source free audio recorder, Audacity is capable of recording and editing anything you throw at it, including audio through microphone and sound card all in a few clicks thanks to the clean interface. It also allows users adjust pitch, bass, and treble, or normalize noise and add effects like reverb and phasing to the recordings. In addition, it supports multi-track capturing to save a lot of time for you. And unlike most other free audio recorders which are free for a limited time or free with locked features, Audacity is a real free of charge audio recording application offered in full free version. Overall, Audacity offers one of the most robust packages available among free recording programs.

Pros:

1. Totally free and extremely easy to use;
2. Support recording any sound on computer;
3. Edit recorded audio's quality with many effects;
4. Support multi-track recording.

OBS (Open Broadcast Software) is an open-source and free live streaming. MimoLive is an all-in-one live switcher, video encoder, editor, and streaming software for Mac®. It enables you to switch multiple cameras, insert presentations, add graphics, overlay lower-thirds, social media comments, transparency with green screens, and so much more.

Cons:

1. Require plugins to accomplish optimal functionality;
2. Can't export audio recordings to MP3;
3. Effect editing is destructive to original audio track.

Top 2. Apowersoft Free Online Audio Recorder

Differing from Audacity or other free audio streaming recorder, Apowersoft Audio Recorder is a free online recording solution that needs no plug-in on Windows or Mac. It allows you record any sound from system sound card and microphone in high quality within 3 steps only. It fully supports capturing streaming music, radio stations, music in games, voice chats, etc. playing via devices like Windows Media Player, QuickTime, iTunes, Tablets, Chromebook, Android smartphones, iPhone, Windows Phone and more. Besides, it offers additional recording functions like converting audio records to MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, OGG, adding ID3 tags, sharing recorded audios online, playing recordings in real time, etc.

Pros:

1. Free and no need to install setup file on computer;
2. Support any sound sources;
3. Save recordings in multiple popular formats;
4. Support extensional functions for recording.

Cons:

1. Can't edit output audio quality;
2. Multi-track recording not supported.

Top 3. Ardour (Mac & Windows)

Ardour DAW is another great open-source audio recorder with professional music recording features and no cost. Developed by Paul Davis, Ardour is aiming at providing powerful recorder for studios who are at low budgets. Featuring highly versatile multi-track audio recording, Ardour can record and edit audios non-destructively or destructively. Its use of Jack, an underlying sound server, makes it compatible with a number of outside applications as well. With the release of third edition, Ardour is supposed to import video for film scoring purpose and record, edit MIDI without a hassle. However, unlike most of other free DAWs, Ardour comes with a confusing graphical user interface which is inaccessible for beginners. It's more like a professional tool developed for musicians or audio engineers.

Pros:

1. Free and professional;
2. Support multi-track recording;
3. Edit recorded tracks non-destructively.

Cons:

1. It's complex and difficult for newbie;
2. No built-in effects or instruments.

Top 4. Aktiv MP3 Recorder (Windows)

If you are looking for a free streaming music recorder that can convey CD, tape, DVD, live performance, TV, Internet radio, streaming music, video games and any other sound source into popular audio formats like MP3, WMA, OGG, VOX, AU, AIFF, then you can't miss Aktiv MP3 Recorder. As a full-featured audio recorder, the big difference between Aktiv and other free recording tools is that it comes with recording scheduler which provides you the ability to record streaming audio at certain times according to your requirements.

Pros:

1. Free streaming audio recorder;
2. Support most popular output formats;
3. Provide schedule recording tasks.

Cons:

1. Available for Windows only;
2. Installer contains some extra software.

Top 5. Traverso DAW (Mac & Windows)

Traverso DAW is another cross-platform free multitrack audio recording and audio editing suite with support for CD mastering and non-linear processing. Traverso is different with other in UI as it offers a unique user interface using both the mouse and the keyboard together for precision and speed. In addition, Traverso includes non-destructive editing, the ability to use plugins and make edits without changing the actual recorded sample. Also it is offering full support for ALSA, Jack and PortAudio, and lockless real-time audio processing.

Pros:

1. Fullfeatured free recording app;
2. Innovative keyboard and mouse shortcuts;
3. Support non-destructive audio editing.

Cons:

1. Take some time for users to get used to the shortcuts;
2. Need plugins to edit audio non-destructively.

More Professional Audio Recorder for Low Budget - TunesKit

Of course, no piece of free software is without its shortcomings. So do those free audio recorders. They are not as advanced as other paid software in functionality. In case you are searching for such paid recording products with reasonable price, we highly recommend a best free sound recorder to you. The renowned program is called TunesKit Audio Capture. It's available for both Mac and Windows platforms. It costs $19.95 but with more powerful features, including multi-track lossless recording, automatically fulfilling ID3 tags, editing output quality, splitting or merging recorded tracks, etc. You can download the free trial versions as below to test it out by yourself. For complete tutorial, visit this user guide.

Conclusion & Suggestion

As you can see, all the above recording tools are free of charge to meet most of your recording needs with options of recording audio, adding effects, and cutting waveforms, as well as other basic recording tasks. To conclude, if you are referring an all-in-one application that combines easy operation and high performance, Audacity and Aktiv MP3 Recorder could be the best audio recording software. But if you concern more about the professionalism and quality, you are suggested to go for Ardour or Traverso DAW that are more professional oriented. Or alternatively, Apowersoft Audio Recorder could be a great choice if you don't want to install any software on your computer. If you still have no idea which one to choose, simply try them out one by one and decide which works best for you.

Nick Orin is a review writer, software geek and Mac OS enthusiast. He spends all his free time in searching useful software and gadgets to share with others.

Anyone can start streaming on Twitch and become a gaming star. Countless people have done it. Part of the process of showing up live on Twitch is to use compatible streaming software available and understand them well enough to get the best out of the tool and your streaming creations.

Herein we will delve into the best software to use to setup your Twitch streaming software.

Note that the ranking below is in no particular order.

Table of Contents

#1. Twitch Studio

In the streaming industry, Twitch Studio is probably the most popular streaming software available owing to the popularity of Twitch as a streaming platform.

It is the to-go-to software form many novice Twitch streamers and many experienced streamers. Since the software is linked with Twitch, it a tad easier to set up and use.

You need not fret over the video and audio mixing, configuring the hardware and making sure the software detects your hardware and all other annoying preparation tasks you get accustomed to with the other streaming software.

The software’s guided stream setup will automatically detect the hardware (microphone, camera, monitor resolution, and streaming bitrate), and by using one of the customizable templates, you can get started with your stream quickly and with little hassle.

However, just like other Twitch streaming software, it does have some cons. For some streamers, Twitch Studio does not offer ample customization on the setup front like some third-party software.

#2. OBS Studio

Popular with professional and experienced gamers, Open Broadcast Studios is an open-source streaming software available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

It features advanced capabilities and ample customization possibilities. For instance, the software comes with powerful APIs that allow users to create scripts and plugins to customize their streaming to suit their needs.

Aside from streaming on Twitch, the software allows you to also stream on YouTube, Facebook Live, Livecoding, DailyMotion, and many other platforms.

Its various qualities make the software a bit of an overkill for many streamers, especially novice streamers. Case in point, mixing sources takes some time to understand and get used to.

OSB Studio is, however, the perfect streaming solution for power users and/or professional gamers looking to create a thrilling experience for their audience.

To get the best out of OBS Studio, you need to spend a considerable amount of time using the software. Moreover, there is not a lot of guidance available on using the software and you might need to do some trial and error first before you get going.

#3. Xsplit Broadcaster

This is a paid software renowned for the high fidelity sound it captures. Starting at $24.95 per 3 month license, the software provides streamers with a suite of tools that helps them create exceptional game recordings and streams.

Alternatively, you can purchase a lifetime license for $199 that gives you access to all the premium features without limits. However, users have access to a free version with a limited number and variety of features.

Among its notable qualities is the drag and drop users experience for streamers. You can select and organize the various sources in your stream by simply dragging and dropping them within the window.

Additionally, you can also save your setups as scenes, thereby negating the need to setup your streams every time you want to start recording.

This feature allows streamers with one screen to use multiple setups within one stream by switching between the different setups effortlessly.

Xsplit Broadcaster is available on Windows only (Win 7 and newer).

#4. Stream Labs

Stream Labs is another software designed and optimized for power users. It comes with ample features and, importantly, the ability to back up your recording to cloud storage.

Streamers will find it easy to setup their streams as it comes with numerous themes and overlays that allow you to setup you’re your streams fast.

And with 46 apps available to extend the functionality of the software, you get more control, better analytics, and advanced automation.

In all, streamers have capable software with the Stream Labs, and viewers enjoy high-quality streams and memorable interaction with you. And should anything go wrong, Stream Labs has one of the best support personnel ready to help.

#5. LightStream

Live Streaming Apps For Mac

Designed to give your streams on Twitch a professional look without the hassle of complex setups. “Dubbed the Google Docs for live streaming,” you can start live streaming your videos directly from your browser without downloading any software.

The software is hosted in the cloud and you use the browser as the interface with the software. Importantly, the heavy lifting of encoding and compositing is done in the cloud, freeing your computer resources for other things.

As such, LightStream is the perfect solution for streamers who lack the expensive hardware needed to stream high-quality videos on Twitch.

#6. AverMedia Live Gamer Portable

The AverMedia gives streams a whole new way of capturing and sharing their video streams. This game capture device gives you a hardware and software solution, thereby doing away with the need for a computer to capture record and/or live stream your videos.

It is a portable plug and play solution to all your streaming needs. You can use the AverMedia with your computer, gaming console (Xbox, Wii U, and Play Station 3 and 4), and, mobile device.

The combination of PC-free mode and SD memory slot allows you to capture your gaming sessions even when you do not have a computer near you.

#7. Vmix

Vmix provides a suite of multimedia solutions for streaming on Twitch and other platforms. The live video production software has been optimized for streamlining multiple video and audio inputs and managing and mixing all the sources efficiently.

The software allows users to add and use multiple images, audio, cameras, web streams, Powerpoint, and much more. This is in addition to the ability to display, live stream, and record your videos.

However, to make use of all of these features, users need a high-spec computer as compared to other streaming software.

#8. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

Another game capture device, Elgato is designed to capture your gameplay on your gaming console (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) and stream it or record it to your computer.

The device is perfectly suited to overcome the shortcomings of limited recording times that gaming consoles offer. The device is fast enough that you can incorporate the captured video to your computer streaming software.

However, it does give users the ability to set up stunning layouts and overlays. It comes with an HDMI input that can take unencrypted signals up to 1080p at 60fps, a 3.5mm audio input, a USB-C port.

On the software front, it uses Elgato’s Game Capture HD software available as a free download. The software allows video creators to stream online on Twitch (and other platforms) or record the video locally.

#9. Nvidia GeForce Shadowplay

As the name suggests, the Nvidia GeForce Shadowplay has been made by Nvidia to provide the best streaming and recording experience for individuals using Nvidia graphics cards.

As an extension to the GeForce experience, you can access this streaming software in the GFE window via the share button on the upper right corner.

The software is inherently easy to use and to share your videos via the Broadcast Live. You can stream up 1080p at 60fps on Twitch using.

With three recording options, gamers have ample choice on how to create their content. The Instant Replay allows users to record the last 5 to 20 minutes of play up to 1440p resolution at 60fps for instant replays.

#10. OBS Live

OBS Live can do everything the OBS Studio can and then some more. As such, the software comes with additional features that improve the lives of streamers while creating a better experience for the viewers.

Some of the added features you get with OBS Live include a built-in chat and activity feed, custom bot name, and media requests that allows you to play videos and songs.

The software also gives users the ability to better control the replays, skip, and mute functions. You also get quick access to all of the StreamElements tools such as overlays, tipping, and ChatBot.

#11. Player.me

From its onset, Player.me has been designed to offer content to create more engaging tools. With easy to use in-game overlays (and hundreds of overlay templates available), powerful widgets, and a host of pre-made themes, streamers are in good footing when it comes to creating high-quality content with this software. The free software also has a donation system alerts, trains, and stream cups.

The only cone of using this software is sometimes it can be draggy, leading to frustration. As such, you need high-spec hardware to get the best experience possible.

#12. Telestream Wirecast

The Telestream Wirecast is an award-winning video capture software that gives users the ability to connect to multiple cameras, graphics, and much more with TV-like operability.

While the software has been optimized for game-capture streaming purposes, users benefit from a robust software with an intuitive design.

The software comes in two offerings – the Studio at $599 and the Pro at $799 with different features.

Streaming Apps For Mac

Among the software stand-out features include the Wirecast Rendezvous conferencing feature, the high-quality audio mixers, easy to use social media integration, and much more.

Free Live Streaming App For Mac

That said, users have to contend with some bugs, which the software maker is continuously fixing.

Best Live Streaming Software For Mac Free