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Webinars · head to head

Riverside vs vMix

Riverside logo

Riverside

Webinars

Studio-quality remote podcast and video recording

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
vMix logo

vMix

Webinars

Professional live streaming and production software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Riverside has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Riverside the free plan gives a single one off 2 hours of recording rather than a monthly allowance; vMix basic HD at $60 is limited to 4 total inputs, 1 vMix Call caller, 1 instant replay camera and 1 SRT output
  • They diverge on capability: Riverside covers Local recording, vMix covers Multi-camera support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Riverside and vMix actually diverge.

Attributes where Riverside and vMix differ
AttributeRiversidevMix
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWindows
Founded20202013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Webinars).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Riverside

  • Local recording
  • 4K video capture
  • Separate audio tracks
  • AI transcription
  • Magic Editor
  • Live streaming
  • Zoom
  • Facebook Live

Only in vMix

  • Multi-camera support
  • Virtual sets
  • Live effects
  • Screen sharing
  • Multi-platform streaming
  • Facebook
  • Twitch
  • LinkedIn

Both cover

  • YouTube

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Riverside

  • Recording remote podcast and video interviews in local quality per participantnot vMix
  • Producing multi track recordings for editing after the sessionnot vMix

vMix

  • Live video production switching for broadcasts and streamsnot Riverside
  • Multi camera instant replay for live sportsnot Riverside
  • Bringing remote guests into a production over vMix Callnot Riverside
  • Recording and streaming in 4K from a Windows workstationnot Riverside

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Riverside

  • The free plan gives a single one off 2 hours of recording rather than a monthly allowance
  • Free exports are capped at 720p, so remote recording quality is the paid feature
  • Separate track recording is metered monthly, at 5 hours on Pro and 15 on Grow
  • Downloadable separate tracks are metered on a different allowance again, at 15, 20 and 25 hours
  • Removing all time limits requires the Webinar plan at $79 a month or a custom Business contract

vMix

  • Basic HD at $60 is limited to 4 total inputs, 1 vMix Call caller, 1 instant replay camera and 1 SRT output
  • 4K resolution above 1920x1080 requires the 4K edition at $700 or higher
  • Lifetime licences include free updates for the first 12 months only
  • vMix Call is capped at 4 callers on the HD edition and 8 on 4K, Pro and MAX
  • SRT outputs are limited to 1 on Basic HD and HD editions
  • The MAX edition is subscription only at $50 per month and stops receiving updates when the subscription lapses

Pricing, plan by plan

Riverside

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours of multi-track recordings (one-time)
    • Up to 720p video quality
    • 44.1 kHz audio quality
  • Pro$29/month
    • 5 hours per month of multi-track recordings
    • Up to 4K video quality
    • 48kHz audio quality
  • Grow$39/month
    • 15 hours per month of multi-track recordings
    • Everything in Pro plus
    • Social media scheduling
  • Webinar$99/month
    • Everything in Grow plus
    • Webinar hosting (up to 100 registrants)
    • Pre-record & stream as live

vMix

On request
  • Starter$60/month
    • Basic streaming
    • 4 inputs
  • Professional$300/month
    • Advanced features
    • 8 inputs
  • Premium$600/month
    • All features
    • Unlimited inputs

Which should you pick?

Choose Riverside if

  • You need local recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want 4k video capture.
Riverside review

Choose vMix if

  • You need multi-camera support.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want virtual sets.
vMix review

Questions people ask

Is Riverside or vMix better?
Neither clearly leads. Riverside starts at Free and vMix at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Riverside or vMix?
Riverside has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Riverside and On request for vMix.
Does Riverside or vMix run on more platforms?
Riverside runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. vMix runs on Windows.
Can I use Riverside for free?
Yes. Riverside has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. vMix starts at On request.
What is Riverside best used for?
Riverside is most often used for recording remote podcast and video interviews in local quality per participant, producing multi track recordings for editing after the session. Of those, recording remote podcast and video interviews in local quality per participant and producing multi track recordings for editing after the session are not what vMix is typically brought in for.
What can Riverside do that vMix cannot?
Riverside covers Local recording, 4K video capture, Separate audio tracks, AI transcription. vMix covers Multi-camera support, Virtual sets, Live effects, Screen sharing. Both handle YouTube.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Riverside: How much does Riverside Pro cost?

Riverside Pro costs $29/month (monthly) or $24/month when paid annually ($288/year). It includes 5 hours of multi-track recordings per month, 4K video, 48kHz audio, no watermark, teleprompter, 1 studio, and podcast hosting.

Source
vMix: What pricing options are available for vMix software?

vMix offers flexible pricing starting from $50 per month. The software is available as a free 60-day trial, allowing users to test features before purchasing.

Source
Riverside: What are the recording hour limits for Riverside plans?

Free plan: 2 hours total. Pro: 5 hours/month. Grow: 15 hours/month. Webinar: 15 hours/month. Business: unlimited. Download limits range from 15-25 hours depending on plan, except Business which is unlimited.

Source
vMix: Is vMix 29 a free update for existing customers?

Yes, vMix 29 represents a complimentary upgrade for those who purchased vMix after January 2023, plus all vMix Max subscribers receive it at no additional cost.

Source
Riverside: How many studios are included in each Riverside plan?

Free: 0 studios. Pro: 1 studio. Grow: 2 studios. Webinar: 3 studios. Business: unlimited studios.

Source
vMix: What support options are included with vMix?

Support includes access to a knowledge base, community forums, documentation, email support, training videos, and optional premium support plans available through resellers.

Source
Riverside: Does Riverside offer webinar hosting?

Yes, webinar hosting is available starting at the Webinar plan ($99/month or $79/month annually). It supports up to 100 registrants, with the Business plan supporting up to 10,000 registrants.

Source
vMix: Can I upgrade from a previous vMix version?

Yes, upgrade options are available. Visit the upgrades page to review pricing and eligibility for transitioning from earlier vMix editions to current versions.

Source
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