Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

XSplit VS Lightstream

Compare XSplit VS Lightstream and see what are their differences

XSplit logo XSplit

Live stream and record your content with ease & share it to streaming services like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Mixer, etc. Start your broadcast today.

Lightstream logo Lightstream

Powerful, cloud-based live streaming studio.
  • XSplit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-06

XSplit is a live streaming and recording software designed for gaming, presentations and live events. This AI-powered software allows game developers to start live streaming of their games in pristine quality. The software also has a multilingual support team to assist you 24/7.

Currently there are four members in the XSplit family:

Product Plans:

  • Lifetime Premium license - 449.00 USD
  • 3 months Premium license - 24.95 USD every 3 month(s)
  • 12 months Premium license - 59.95 USD every 12 month(s)
  • Lightstream Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-05

XSplit features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    XSplit offers a clean, intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced streamers.
  • Multiple Output Formats
    The software supports various output formats and resolutions, giving users flexibility in how they broadcast their content.
  • Powerful Integration
    XSplit integrates seamlessly with a wide range of platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live, making it versatile for different streaming needs.
  • High-Quality Streams
    The software is known for providing high-quality streams with minimal latency, ensuring a smooth viewing experience for the audience.
  • Advanced Features
    XSplit offers a host of advanced features including scene transitions, chroma key, and source masking, allowing for professional-grade broadcast setups.

Possible disadvantages of XSplit

  • Cost
    XSplit is a premium software and requires a subscription for access to all features, which can be costly over time compared to free alternatives.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be quite resource-demanding, potentially causing performance issues on lower-end systems.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version has several limitations such as watermarks on streams and limited access to advanced features, which may not be sufficient for more serious streamers.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have reported occasional bugs and crashes, which can interrupt streaming sessions and require troubleshooting.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functions are easy to use, mastering the advanced features can take time and require a more in-depth understanding of the software.

Lightstream features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Lightstream offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned streamers.
  • No Downloads Required
    As a web-based application, Lightstream does not require any software downloads, allowing users to stream directly from their browser.
  • Cloud-based Overlays
    Users can create and manipulate overlays directly in the cloud, eliminating the need for powerful local hardware to manage complex streaming scenes.
  • Real-time Collaboration
    Lightstream enables real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on the same projects or streams without delays.
  • Integration with Popular Platforms
    The service integrates seamlessly with popular streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, facilitating a smoother workflow for streamers.

Possible disadvantages of Lightstream

  • Limited Customization
    While the platform offers a variety of features, some users may find customization options limited compared to more robust software like OBS Studio.
  • Subscription Cost
    Lightstream requires a subscription for access to all features, which could be a drawback for users looking for a free solution.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Being a cloud-based service, Lightstream's performance is highly dependent on the user's internet connection, which could be problematic in areas with unstable connectivity.
  • Advanced Features Restrictions
    Some advanced features are restricted to premium tiers, which might deter users who need these functions but are unable to subscribe at higher pricing levels.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    As a web-based service, Lightstream does not support offline use, which can be restrictive for users who may want to prepare streams without an active internet connection.

XSplit videos

What is XSplit Broadcaster?

More videos:

  • Review - OBS vs Xsplit Broadcaster (2019): Who is King of the Stream?
  • Review - XSplit Broadcaster DEFINITIVE Review | Is 2020 the year to leave OBS?

Lightstream videos

LightStream Personal Loans Review

More videos:

  • Review - Scott Tries Lightstream - and a Short Comparrison of Mac Streaming Apps
  • Review - LightStream Auto Loans Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XSplit and Lightstream)
Live Streaming
66 66%
34% 34
Screen Recording
80 80%
20% 20
Video Streaming
0 0%
100% 100
Screenshot Annotation
89 89%
11% 11

User comments

Share your experience with using XSplit and Lightstream. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare XSplit and Lightstream

XSplit Reviews

  1. Konstantin Baumgartner
    · video production manager at Triple Jump Media ·
    Great software

    XSplit rocks for streamers. It's like your streaming sidekick - simple, full of cool stuff, and very stable. XSplit is super user-friendly, it's got many powerful plugins for easy streaming, and it plays nice with lots of platforms. Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but if you're all about streaming, it's money well spent.

    👍 Pros:    Custom plugins|Cross-platform compatibility
    👎 Cons:    Price

Top 10 OBS Alternatives
XSplit is actually two types of programs; a Broadcaster and a Gamecatser bundled together. It is the only tool on this list that is very similar to OBS in terms of features and functionality. It can be used for both recording a live streaming and it will live stream gameplay directly to the most popular streaming sites like YouTube and Twitch.
Best Streaming Software for 2021 (Twitch & Youtube)
XSplit Broadcaster is live streaming and recording software for Windows. You can stream and record in 4K 60fps. You can use XSplit Broadcaster to stream on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. Indeed, you can even simultaneously broadcast to multiple stream services.

Lightstream Reviews

Top 15 Free Alternatives to OBS | Online Free Screen Recorder for PC
Lightstream is a free cloud-based application with a number of useful features, such as providing scenes and superimposed layers, which are very similar to those of OBS. In addition, because it is a cloud-based application, it consumes less CPU and does not affect game performance like OBS. You can use it instead of OBS in this regard.
Top 10 OBS Alternatives
Lightstream is a free cloud-based program that you can use instead of OBS. It has numerus useful features including integration with other popular tools like Streamlabs. It also allows for the use of scenes and overlays, similar to the ones you would find on OBS. But it is considerably easier to use, with a very navigable user interface.
Best Streaming Software for 2021 (Twitch & Youtube)
You can use LightStream Studio to stream to Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and custom RTMP. It provides cloud-powered broadcasting accessed through a web browser. You can also capture Xbox and PlayStation gameplay for streaming to Twitch without a capture card.
14 Best OBS Studio Alternatives for Mac & Windows (2021)
It is similar to Lightstream as it is also designed for the low-end PC. If you need decent software for steaming with fewer features but with speed, then it will be best for you.
Source: techdator.net

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lightstream seems to be a lot more popular than XSplit. While we know about 18 links to Lightstream, we've tracked only 1 mention of XSplit. 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.

XSplit mentions (1)

Lightstream mentions (18)

  • having crashing issues
    There's something called Golightstream: https://golightstream.com/ which is basically a cloud streaming service for your console and browser. It's sort of expensive ($20 / month for 720p 30fps annually) but it would remove the need for OBS and potentially save you more resources. There's a 7 day free trial. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can I Stream Directly Off Of My Ps5 To Apps Like Twitch & TikTok?
    If you want to be able to stream to other locations and add things to your stream, LightStream might be the best option. Source: about 2 years ago
  • can I get obs on xbox without a pc\laptop
    Not really, but there are services like Lightstreamthat give you similar functionality over the internet. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Self-hosted broadcast software
    Does anyone know of a self-hosted alternative to https://melonapp.com/ / https://golightstream.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Can you have a browser source when streaming using Xbox’s twitch app
    I would recommend using something like lightstream for overlays using Xbox: https://golightstream.com/. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing XSplit and Lightstream, you can also consider the following products

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Camtasia - Camtasia 2018 makes it easy to record your screen and create polished, professional-looking videos.

ShadowPlay - ShadowPlay

Flash Media Live Encoder - Browse for the technical support periods for products.

Screencast-O-Matic - Free version Records up to 15 minutes, premium is $15/year.

Wirecast - Users in need of tools to edit their livestream broadcasts will find everything they need in Wirecast.