Software · head to head
StreamYard vs vMix
vMix
Software
Professional live streaming and production software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only StreamYard has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: StreamYard the free plan stamps a StreamYard logo on every stream, caps local recordings at 2 hours per month, allows 6 on screen participants and 1 seat; 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: StreamYard covers Multi-streaming, vMix covers Multi-camera support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which StreamYard and vMix actually diverge.
| Attribute | StreamYard | vMix |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Windows |
| Founded | 2018 | 2013 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 StreamYard
- Multi-streaming
- Custom branding
- Guest management
- Recording
- Custom RTMP
- Web support
Only in vMix
- Multi-camera support
- Virtual sets
- Live effects
- Multi-platform streaming
- Windows support
Both cover
- Screen sharing
- YouTube
- Twitch
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
StreamYard
- Browser based live streaming to YouTube, Facebook and other destinations at oncenot vMix
- Recording remote guest interviews and podcasts with on screen brandingnot vMix
- Running small webinars with a live viewer audiencenot vMix
vMix
- Live video production switching for broadcasts and streamsnot StreamYard
- Multi camera instant replay for live sportsnot StreamYard
- Bringing remote guests into a production over vMix Callnot StreamYard
- Recording and streaming in 4K from a Windows workstationnot StreamYard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
StreamYard
- The free plan stamps a StreamYard logo on every stream, caps local recordings at 2 hours per month, allows 6 on screen participants and 1 seat
- 1080p full HD, watermark removal and unlimited streaming require the Core plan at $44.99 per month billed monthly
- Core limits multistreaming to 3 destinations; 8 destinations require Advanced at $88.99 per month
- Core caps permanent recording storage at 50 hours
- 4K local recording, on air webinars for up to 100 viewers, extra camera and transcript downloads are Advanced only
- The free trial on paid plans runs 7 days
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
StreamYard
Free- FreeFree
- 20-hour streaming
- StreamYard branding
- Basic features
- Basic$25/month
- No branding
- Custom overlays
- 6 guests
- Professional$49/month
- Full HD
- 10 guests
- Recording
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 StreamYard if
- You need multi-streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want custom branding.
Choose vMix if
- You need multi-camera support.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want virtual sets.
Questions people ask
- Is StreamYard or vMix better?
- Neither clearly leads. StreamYard 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, StreamYard or vMix?
- StreamYard has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for StreamYard and On request for vMix.
- Does StreamYard or vMix run on more platforms?
- StreamYard runs on Web. vMix runs on Windows.
- Can I use StreamYard for free?
- Yes. StreamYard has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. vMix starts at On request.
- What is StreamYard best used for?
- StreamYard is most often used for browser based live streaming to youtube, facebook and other destinations at once, recording remote guest interviews and podcasts with on screen branding, running small webinars with a live viewer audience. Of those, browser based live streaming to youtube, facebook and other destinations at once and recording remote guest interviews and podcasts with on screen branding are not what vMix is typically brought in for.
- What can StreamYard do that vMix cannot?
- StreamYard covers Multi-streaming, Custom branding, Guest management, Recording. vMix covers Multi-camera support, Virtual sets, Live effects, Multi-platform streaming. Both handle Screen sharing, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn.