vMix VS Wirecast which is the best

professional live streaming software?

Richard Bennett
Nov 26, 2021• Proven solutions
When it comes to choosing the live video streaming software, both vMix and
Wirecast are the most popular choices for the professionals. An initial trial of
both these software products were very impressive offering intuitive user-
friendly interface, loads of settings, and supportive features to control all
broadcasting operations using the computer device. However, there are some
similarities and differences where you need to go with the decision-making
before choosing one.

Where can you Use these Software Programs?

 Conferences
 Live recording and streaming meetings, processions and presentations
 Public and Private Events
 News report broadcasting
 Indoor and outdoor sports
 Educational Institutes
 Professional Videographer
 Games
 Let’s Player

vMix vs. Wirecast- A Comparative Analysis

vMix

vMix is the comprehensive video production and live streaming software package
that allows you to publish the live streaming videos on the internet quickly. You
can stream videos on four separate overlay channels with different settings and
transition effects. The software is easy to use for professionals with intermediate
level efficiency allowing touch operations on iOS and Android devices from
remote place with vMix Web Controller.

Features :

 Supports a Wide Range of Hardware

 Take videos up to 4K resolution from webcam, cameras, data storage cards
and other devices. Supports various file formats allowing the
synchronization of video and audio combinations. Allows the users to
integrate seamlessly with web browser, make videos with PowerPoint
presentations, various audio devices and much more.

 Customization Enhanced Transition Effects and Live Video Effects

You can use from 4 customizable buttons to produce transition effects in

your videos or choose from the 13 available transition options- Flip,
Rotate, Fade, CrossZoom, Cut, Cube, CubeZoom etc.

vMix can process live video effects like Zoom, Rotate, Crop, Pan
Deinterlace and color correction at 4:4:4 32bit color space. This allows you
to produce industry standard video output.

 Recording Live Videos for Instant Streaming and Output Production

Record your videos live and stream across multiple providers

simultaneously across, Facebook Live, Ustream, YouTube Live, Twitch etc.

 Chroma Key Supported Virtual Sets for Producing HD Videos

You can either choose to set up a Chroma key set or use the virtual built in
Chroma blue/green set for creating or customizing videos. With the full
motion zoom feature, you will be able to customize the camera positions
as per needs.

 Customize View Positions

The users may use multiple camera positions to achieve multi view from
different angle during live streaming. The multi view videos can also be
customized separately to achieve Zoom, crop and other transition effects.

 Other Feature Supports

 Live conferencing with up to 8 members on the vMix call

 Built in templates
 Customize playback options
 Produce live video effects

Package Costs
vMix offers 6 different packages- Basic, Basic HD, SD, HD, 4K and Pro. The Basic
version is free to use. The professionals in need of bulk live video streaming
requirements can choose packages like 4K and Pro versions if preferring high
quality video output results. Depending on the video quality requirement, inputs,
and other features, the customers can choose a package suitable for their
investments. The paid package Basic HD starts at $60 only.

System Requirements

vMix is best suited for Windows PCs with Windows 7 and above versions. The
Mac OSX users can use the Desktop Capture Program.

Pros

 High quality output results producing great 4K resolution videos

 Plenty of video adjustment and features
 Brand name you can trust

 60-days free trial

Cons

 The costs can rise up to $1200 if you need premium features like 8 callers
on the vMix call and 4 cameras for instant replays
 Not compatible for using on Smartphones or other portable devices
 May take some time to get easy with the settings and features

Wirecast
Telestream Wirecast is a comprehensive software package offering seamless video
production and live on-demand broadcasting. Wirecast is recognized for the
encoder that allows several high-end functioning including live switching
between different captured sources, producing transition effects to the videos
and other features to provide a professional look to the final output.

Features

 Single instance live video broadcasting to multiple services

 Use built in Chroma key and 3D graphics
 Superior flash streaming support
 The Wirecast Cam app allows the users to take input feeds from computer
devices, cameras and other picture files.
 Capture live videos using cameras, webcam, desktop, data card etc.
 A range of video editing tools allow cropping, resizing, flip, rotate etc.
 Wirecast allows streaming live videos across multiple locations
simultaneously across platforms like YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook Live,
Church streaming.tv etc. The users must have account on all these
websites. Enter the username and password to start streaming instantly.

System Requirements

 Telestream Wirecast is compatible with Windows 7 or higher versions. Also

works great on Mac OS X Yosemite and OS X E. The Mac PCs must have
iOS 8 or higher version.
 Requires at least Intel Core i3 processor with 1.7GHz or higher for SD
videos. To capture HD videos, Intel Core i7 processor with 3.0 GHz or
higher is essential for the best results.
 Intel HD graphics adapter
 4GB RAM
 2GB hard disk space (extra free space required for storing the videos)

Package Costs

Wirecast has two different price packages- the Basic version at $495 and the
advanced version costs $995. The company also offers premium support at $99.

Pros

 Integrated Facebook Live support

 For using videos on YouTube and Facebook, the users can access the
Simulcast options
Cons

 The Wirecast Pro version cost is very high

 Requires higher Intel processors and RAM space

Conclusion
In terms of functionality, both vMix and Wirecast possess a set of common
features. However, there are some exceptions with both these platforms in terms
of configuration, pricing, system requirements etc. Both of them are good but
your choices will largely depend on the convenience with the software settings,
budget, computer devices and other factors. It is advisable to go for a free trial
test to check your convenience with both the software before subscribing to any
paid packages.
VMix Vs Wirecast – Which Is Best For You?
Live Streaming, Video Production Technology / By Duke Taber
Please Note: We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

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vMix vs. Wirecast Live-Streaming Software

Live-streaming software is the most important part of your computer and electronic setup any
time that you’re broadcasting something live. Both vMix and Wirecast provide excellent live-
streaming software that does a great job whether you’re a small company or a large major
broadcaster. Still, there are some differences between the two packages that you should
familiarize yourself with so that you can choose the right package in the end.

To Start with…

The first thing that you need to know about vMix is that there is a learning curve, although it is
still one of the best programs on the market for any type of live streaming. Wirecast is easier to
use but offers a lot of power and functionality. Plus, it is a paid tool, which is something to
consider when comparing the two.

When it comes to capturing and the sources supported by these software apps, Wirecast
supports many input sources, as does vMix. Here is the comparison between the two:

Wirecast:

 Cameras and PTZ optics

 Webcams
 Video and audio files
 Images
 Application Windows or desktops via the free Remote Desktop Presenter
software provided by Wirecast
vMix:

 Video cameras (via supported capture cards)

 Webcams
 Video and audio files
 DVDs
 Audio devices, e.g., sound cards
 Playlists
 Desktop applications
 Photos
 PowerPoint presentations
 Web browsing
Also, the Wirecast Cam is a mobile app that lets you stream wirelessly from an iPad or iPhone
when a live broadcast is taking place. Wirecast also includes a feature for image slideshows.
The vMix video camera can run at up to 4K resolutions and vMix also supports network device
interface (NDI) when you wish to send video over gigabit ethernet networks.

What About Streaming with Simultaneous Sources?

When you need to stream with simultaneous sources, your hardware is generally your limiting
factor and not your software. Still, Wirecast can support as many sources as you are able to
connect for your broadcasts and it can even stream multiple, separate live streams from the
same device. On the other hand, vMix comes in six different versions from the basic free
version to the pro version, and each version supports a different number of inputs. The basic
version limits you to two cameras/NDI inputs while the pro versions each support up to 1000
inputs, which can include NDI devices or cameras.

Keep in mind, though, that every image, camera, audio source, and animation counts against
the input limits set forth by the program so you can use up these inputs quickly.

Integrations of Social Media Platforms

If you want to integrate with your audience via social media during a live broadcast, you can
easily do this by showing comments on your screen during the broadcast. Both vMix and
Wirecast enable you to do this efficiently. With Wirecast, you get direct Twitter integration,
which means that you can pull feeds into your broadcasts for a great look and a simple way to
interact with your viewers. On the other hand, vMix uses a plugin called vMix Social to
integrate social media and it is a free tool. It is also a very powerful tool and lets you insert
posts, feeds, and more from various social media sites.

While it’s possible to bring in social media sources on Wirecast using screen- and window-
capture tools, the native method offered on vMix is actually less buggy and runs a lot more
smoothly.

What Are the System Requirements for Each Program?

In order to run either Wirecast or vMix effectively, your computer will need to meet certain
requirements first. Here is a list of system requirements for each of these apps:

Wirecast

 A minimum of 2 GB of free disk space

 A minimum of 4 GB of RAM
 Integrated or discrete graphics card that is compatible with DirectX 10
 Intel Core i7 CPU at 3 GHz or higher
 Windows 7 or newer, or macOS El Capitan or newer
vMix

 1 GB of DDR2 or faster RAM; 8 GB is recommended

 A hard drive of 7200 RPM; SSD is recommended
 Dual-core processor of 2 GHz or better (Intel Core i7 at 3 GHz or higher is
recommended)
  Graphics card that is compatible with DirectX 10; Nvidia card with 1 GB RAM or
more is recommended
 Windows 7 or newer on a Windows PC; Windows 10 is recommended
More often than not, these requirements are going to be what many broadcasters are already
using; however, it’s good to know these things before you decide on the right live-stream app
for your purpose.

Other Practical Considerations

Naturally, ease of use is an important consideration because when you’re broadcasting

something, you have tons of other things to concentrate on besides this particular app. You
need something that you can use without thinking much about it and both Wirecast and vMix
make live-streaming a broadcast very easy indeed. Does this mean that the apps themselves
are simple? Not necessarily. Both Wirecast and vMix are a bit on the complex side; however,
you can easily learn each of them in just a few hours.

To master them, of course, will take longer but there are tons of dedicated forums and tutorials
on YouTube that you can utilize to learn the apps a little at a time. Most people find Wirecast a
little easier to learn and that vMix takes a little longer.

As far as price is concerned, comparing the two apps means that you have to look at the
different packages that they offer. For example, Wirecast has two different packages called
Studio and Pro. Pro adds features such as 3D set support, live scoreboards and instant replay,
and additional support inputs such as IP cameras and web streams. You can enjoy premium
support for an additional yearly fee and they offer a free trial that includes watermarks.

On the other hand, vMix has a more complicated pricing structure because it offers six
versions and not two: Basic, Basic HD, SD, HD, 4K, and Pro. You get free upgrades to each of
them because the license doesn’t expire and you also get a 60-day free trial period.

Conclusion – Which Is Better? vMix or Wirecast?

Both Wirecast and vMix have a lot to offer their users so comparing the pros and cons of each
of these apps is important when you’re trying to make your decision. Fortunately, this is a lot
easier to do than you likely thought.

Wirecast 8 vs vMix 20
Two of the leading live streaming and video production software companies have released new
updates! Wirecast 8 adds a host of new features including built-in video calling to simplify the
workflow for live streaming talk shows. Another live streaming company vMix has a added “vMix
Call” in a previous version of vMix and now announced a host of new features including additional
outputs, production clocks and more PTZ control support. Wirecast 8 has been a long awaited release,
especially for Mac users with no access to vMix, with new features for Facebook Live Comments, a
Multi-Viewer, cool dropshadow/reflection effects and more audio channels.

VMIX 20 VS WIRECAST 8
vMix 20 has just been released, and we have seen many of the improvements that we hoped for in the
newest version. One of the best features in the new version is the ability to record both a “Clean” and a
“Dirty” version of the same recording. Anybody who works with filming knows that it can be a burden
to have to constantly work with a high resolution version of a recording, especially when doing heavy
editing. vMix 20 makes this as simple as pressing a button. Another feature of the new version that
many are especially fond of  is the ability to channel your recording to multiple outputs at a time as seen
below, making your recording experience exponentially simpler.

vMix 20 New Updates

Also, here is a full list of the capabilities of the new version of vMix 20 from their website:
Outputs

Two additional independent outputs for vMix Call, Replay and NDI (Pro and 4K editions only)
Second recorder with an independent recording format that can be assigned to one of the 4 outputs. (Pro
and 4K editions only)
Production Clocks

New Dual Production Clock can now be enabled from Settings -> Options
Each of the clocks can display either the current time, recording duration, streaming duration or a
countdown to an event
Clock display can also be added as an input which can be assigned to the MultiView Output
Clock input can also be enabled as an NDI source on the network, providing a mobile clock that can be
displayed anywhere using the free NDI tools!
vMix Call

Audio and Video sources sent to guests can now be changed independently at any time from the right
click menu
All vMix editions including Basic HD can now connect to a remote vMix Call running HD or higher
New Low Latency option added. This can be used on reliable, high bandwidth point to point
connections where the lowest possible delay is required
Audio

New Channel Matrix option available for every input that supports audio
Provides a 8×16 channel audio router to every input that can be assigned to any of the audio output
buses in any combination
Live audio meters added to each channel in the Input Channel Mixer
Streaming

Improved streaming settings layout

Each of the 3 destinations now supports independent bitrate and resolution settings
Hardware Encoder can also be controlled independently on each stream to assist with systems where
GeForce cards only support 2 encoders at a time
PTZ

Added new Visca Over IP support to connect to newer Sony SRG series cameras in addition to the new
IP model from Lumens

Titles

Added support for controlling NewBlue Titler Live 3.0 via NDI
Supports commands such as AnimateIn, AnimateOut which can be accessed from the Input right click
menu or assigned to controllers using the new shortcut function NDICommand
Supports live editing of Titler Live templates from within the vMix Title Editor and Web Controller,
with the ability to assign data sources as well

Other
Added support for X-keys XK-68 Jog/Shuttle controller
Improved CPU usage when streaming, particularly with 4K
Improved performance with 4K Magewell capture cards
New TCP API for embedded devices. See Developer Information in the help for more information.

WIRECAST 8
 vmix 20 vs Wirecast
However, vMix is not the only live streaming softrware platform that’s recently updated their software
and added improvements recently. Wirecast 8 is one of the best screen recording software that is
available. The company that developed Wirecast, Telestream, just released Wirecast 8 recently, and it
has myriad new and appealing features for the user to explore. One of the most appealing features of the
new version is it’s seamless intertwinement with some of the leading streaming services
including Facebook, YouTube, Periscope, Livestream, uStream and others using the RTMP Protocol.
Another great feature of the Wirecast 8 software is its ability to record up to 8 tracks of audio
simultaneously, either into an audio mixer or straight into the Wirecast software. Lastly, Wirecast 8 has
been improved with new tools that will help you resize, rotate, and even enhance your scenes. A new Z-
Rotation has been added so you can flip video around. If you have camera footage that was originally
upside-down, the Z-Rotation option will flip things upright for you so that you don’t have to go through
a third party application, and makes things much smoother when broadcasting live.