Software · head to head
vMix vs Anchorfree
vMix
Software
Professional live streaming and production software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
A
Anchorfree
Software
Platform for hosting and distributing live events
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Anchorfree has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: vMix basic HD at $60 is limited to 4 total inputs, 1 vMix Call caller, 1 instant replay camera and 1 SRT output; Anchorfree the vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account
- They diverge on capability: vMix covers Multi-camera support, Anchorfree covers Live streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which vMix and Anchorfree actually diverge.
| Attribute | vMix | Anchorfree |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows | Web |
| Founded | 2013 | 2017 |
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 vMix
- Multi-camera support
- Virtual sets
- Live effects
- Screen sharing
- Multi-platform streaming
- Windows support
Only in Anchorfree
- Live streaming
- Audience management
- Recording
- Analytics
- Multi-platform delivery
- Zapier
- Web support
Both cover
- YouTube
- Twitch
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
vMix
- Live video production switching for broadcasts and streamsnot Anchorfree
- Multi camera instant replay for live sportsnot Anchorfree
- Bringing remote guests into a production over vMix Callnot Anchorfree
- Recording and streaming in 4K from a Windows workstationnot Anchorfree
Anchorfree
- Professional Worknot vMix
- Content Creationnot vMix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Anchorfree
- The vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account
Pricing, plan by plan
vMix
On request- Starter$60/month
- Basic streaming
- 4 inputs
- Professional$300/month
- Advanced features
- 8 inputs
- Premium$600/month
- All features
- Unlimited inputs
Anchorfree
Free- FreeFree
- Basic streaming
- Limited audience
- Professional$49/month
- Advanced features
- Larger audience
- Enterprise$199/month
- Custom solutions
- Premium support
Which should you pick?
Choose vMix if
- You need multi-camera support.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want virtual sets.
Choose Anchorfree if
- You need live streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want audience management.
Questions people ask
- Is vMix or Anchorfree better?
- Neither clearly leads. vMix starts at On request and Anchorfree at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, vMix or Anchorfree?
- Anchorfree has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for vMix and Free for Anchorfree.
- Does vMix or Anchorfree run on more platforms?
- vMix runs on Windows. Anchorfree runs on Web.
- Can I use Anchorfree for free?
- Yes. Anchorfree has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. vMix starts at On request.
- What is vMix best used for?
- vMix is most often used for live video production switching for broadcasts and streams, multi camera instant replay for live sports, bringing remote guests into a production over vmix call, recording and streaming in 4k from a windows workstation. Of those, live video production switching for broadcasts and streams and multi camera instant replay for live sports are not what Anchorfree is typically brought in for.
- What can vMix do that Anchorfree cannot?
- vMix covers Multi-camera support, Virtual sets, Live effects, Screen sharing. Anchorfree covers Live streaming, Audience management, Recording, Analytics. Both handle YouTube, Facebook, Twitch.