Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

StreamElements VS Unreal Engine

Compare StreamElements VS Unreal Engine and see what are their differences

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StreamElements logo StreamElements

An all-in-one toolkit to help streamers grow 📹

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.
  • StreamElements Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-30
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

StreamElements features and specs

  • All-in-one platform
    StreamElements offers a comprehensive suite of tools for streamers, including overlays, alerts, tipping, and user management, all in one place, simplifying the setup process.
  • Cloud-based
    Because it is cloud-based, StreamElements does not require local installations or managing files on the broadcaster’s end, making it easier to use and more accessible.
  • Customizability
    StreamElements provides diverse customization options for overlays, widgets, and alerts, allowing streamers to maintain a unique and professional-looking stream.
  • Integrated chatbot
    The integrated chatbot offers various functionalities like commands, timers, and spam filters, enhancing viewer interaction and moderation capabilities.
  • Loyalty system
    StreamElements includes a loyalty system that rewards viewers with points that can be used for giveaways, games, and other engagement tools, promoting viewer retention.
  • Detailed analytics
    The platform provides in-depth analytics and insights on stream performance, viewer behavior, and revenue, helping streamers to make data-driven decisions.
  • Sponsorship opportunities
    StreamElements collaborates with brands to provide sponsorships and monetization opportunities, opening revenue streams for content creators.

Possible disadvantages of StreamElements

  • Learning curve
    New users may find it overwhelming to navigate and fully utilize all the features due to the platform's extensive capabilities.
  • Dependency on internet
    As a cloud-based solution, StreamElements requires a stable internet connection. Issues with connectivity could disrupt access to overlays and alerts during a stream.
  • Resource-intensive
    While generally efficient, certain complex overlays and widgets can be resource-heavy, potentially affecting stream performance on lower-end systems.
  • Occasional downtime
    Despite being mostly reliable, there are instances of server outages or maintenance that can temporarily affect functionality and access to services.
  • Limited offline support
    Because the platform is cloud-based, features and customizations are not available offline, which could hinder preparation without an internet connection.
  • Competition
    With various competitors in the market like Streamlabs and OBS, StreamElements needs to continuously innovate to keep up, which sometimes leads to rushed updates and bugs.
  • Complex monetization
    While there are monetization options available, setting up and maximizing these opportunities can be complex and might require further understanding beyond basic usage.

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

Analysis of StreamElements

Overall verdict

  • Overall, StreamElements is considered a good platform for streamers who want to streamline their operations and enhance viewer engagement. Its robust feature set and integration capabilities make it a strong contender in the streaming tools market.

Why this product is good

  • StreamElements is a popular choice among streamers due to its comprehensive suite of tools that enhance the streaming experience. It offers features such as overlays, alerts, chat bots, and tipping solutions, all integrated into one platform. The ease of use, extensive customization options, and community support add to its appeal.

Recommended for

    StreamElements is recommended for both new and experienced streamers looking for an all-in-one platform to manage their stream overlays, engage with their audience through alerts and chat bots, and monetize their content effectively.

Analysis of Unreal Engine

Overall verdict

  • Unreal Engine is generally considered a top-tier game engine suitable for both beginners and experienced developers. Its high-quality rendering, extensive feature set, and flexibility make it a preferred choice for creating AAA games, architectural visualizations, and even film production.

Why this product is good

  • Unreal Engine is popular due to its powerful graphics capabilities, versatility, and comprehensive toolset. It provides real-time 3D creation tools, robust support for high-resolution graphics, and a plethora of resources and documentation for developers. It is also free to use up to a certain revenue threshold, making it accessible for indie developers and large studios alike. Additionally, its blueprint visual scripting system offers non-programmers an approachable way to prototype and develop gameplay elements.

Recommended for

    Unreal Engine is recommended for game developers who require cutting-edge graphics and performance, individuals interested in virtual production, architects looking for detailed visualizations, and anyone wanting to work on large-scale, high-fidelity projects.

StreamElements videos

5 Reasons I Picked StreamElements For My Twitch Alerts

More videos:

  • Review - StreamLabs vs StreamElements - Which is better in 2019?
  • Review - STREAMELEMENTS MERCH STORE REVIEW!! // Don't do it!! The print is awful

Unreal Engine videos

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

Category Popularity

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User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare StreamElements and Unreal Engine

StreamElements Reviews

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Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, StreamElements seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 35 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

StreamElements mentions (35)

  • Advice for New Twitch Streamers
    In particular, if you're a programmer I generally advise not working on your own overlay unless you have really cool and unique integration ideas. Even if you do, see if they can't be accomplished with StreamElements or custom OBS plugins instead of hand-rolling your own systems from scratch. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Twitch Channel
    Https://streamelements.com/ free as well. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Should I use same encoder for recording and streaming?
    Most of their widgets and analytics are also offered by other services such as SE. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Twitch's Alerts: CSS Issues
    I've got a problem with the new Twitch's Alerts feature. I can't modify the CSS code to add my own font. When I click to validate there's an error message. Yet, I use exactly the same code line with streamlabs.com as well as streamelements.com's alerts, I generated it thanks to fontsquirrel.com and it works very well. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Loyalty / receiving points frozen
    On the last few streams, my viewers have noticed that they are not getting points for my giveaway in Loyalty. Viewers only got a few points during a 4 hour stream and then it froze (they only got 40-60pts instead of 500 to 1000pts). I searched the internet to see where the problem might be, but couldn't find any information. I wrote directly to streamelements.com support and got a reply back saying that they have... Source: about 2 years ago
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Unreal Engine mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Unreal Engine yet. Tracking of Unreal Engine recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing StreamElements and Unreal Engine, you can also consider the following products

Nightbot - The Ultimate Chat Moderator Bot on Twitch

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Streamlabs Chatbot - Streamlabs Chatbot is a chat bot for Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Mixer.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Moobot - Twitch Moderation Bot

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.