Edited by Nataly Bogorad

April 30, 2020

Choosing the Best Webcam Software

If your computer has a webcam or if you've purchased an external one, it probably came with some software. If you are doing simple tasks, the default software may be fine. But if you are looking to unlock the full power of the webcam, you'll need to upgrade to something better. This list of the best webcam software will help you find the tool to do that for you.

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The Best Paid and Free Webcam Software

There are multiple webcam software applications that do their jobs wonderfully enough to be in contention for the title of the best. Because we are looking for the best, we have included some paid options, though most of them have a free tier of some kind so you can get a feel for the software. We suggest that you download and try the ones that appeal to you so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

Movavi Screen Recorder

Best for professional results

You can go beyond webcam capture with Movavi Screen Recorder. The software can capture webcam information or record directly from your screen. Because it can capture separate streams, you can record both at the same time and save them as individual files.

Operating system: Windows 7 and up, macOS 10.10 and up

Supported output formats: MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, GIF, MP3, PNG, BMP, JPG

Price: Free/Paid

Pros:

• Records in resolutions as high full HD and 4K
• Integrates with Movavi's full video creation suite for further editing
• Allows for easy online sharing

Cons:

• There's a watermark on the free version

Key Features:

• Schedule the start and stop of recordings
• Add mouse and keystroke effects to show what you are doing
• Take and edit screenshots as well as video
• Personalize shortcuts to make your workflow easier
• SuperSpeed mode increases video processing time

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record from your screen

• 
  Capture video from your computer screen
• 
  Grab sound from multiple sources
• 
  Save recordings without quality loss
• 
  Export videos in any popular format

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Windows version

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Mac version

Logitech Capture

Best for Logitech webcam owners

Although it requires a Logitech webcam to work, this software brings some nice features to the table for those who have one. Because it is made by Logitech, it is able to take advantage of all the built-in features that are unique to Logitech cameras.

Operating system: Windows 10, macOS 10.14 and up

Supported webcams: C920 HD PRO, C920s HD PRO, 1080P PRO STREAM, C922 PRO STREAM, C922X PRO STREAM, STREAMCAM, STREAMCAM PLUS, BRIO 4K PRO, BRIO STREAM

Price: Free

Pros:

• Takes full advantage of your Logitech webcam
• Allows streaming directly to popular video sites

Cons:

• Requires a Logitech webcam
• Mandatory account registration

Key Features:

• Allows recording in vertical mode for viewing on mobile
• Add live text overlays
• Studio style camera filters are available
• Controls your Logitech webcam features

CyberLink YouCam

Best for videoconferencing

This Windows-only webcam app is designed primarily for advanced hobbyists or professional users. This could mean people who stream on the various video-sharing platforms or professionals who do a lot of videoconferencing. It integrates nicely with broadcasting software, such as the open-source OBS studio.

Operating system: Windows 7 and up

Supported output formats: MP4, AVI, WMV

Price: Free/Paid

Pros:

• Works with popular streaming services and tools
• Customizable titles and images for live streamers

Cons:

• Limited options in the free version
• Windows only

Key Features:

• Use your face to log in and out
• Advanced AR technology applies virtual makeup in real-time
• Fun features like animojis and special effects for home users

ManyCam

Best for online classes

The developers of ManyCam put their focus on the creation of professional streams, such as video conferencing and online classes. The ability to use many video sources, including streaming directly from games, allows it to do more than though, however.

Operating system: Windows 7 and up, macOS 10.11 and up

Supported output formats: H.264, MP4, AVI, MPEG, MOV, MJPEG

Price: Free/Paid

Pros:

• No watermark in the free tier
• Streams up to 4K resolution

Cons:

• Many features require manual control

Key Features:

• Can stream games
• Screencasting and recording
• Camera control settings

Yawcam

Best for beginners

This completely free webcam software is as bare-bones as they come but is simple to use for people who do not need a lot of advanced features. It is also compatible with very old versions of Windows, for people running older computers.

Operating system: Windows XP and up

Supported devices: DirectX compatible webcams and DV cameras

Price: Free

Pros:

• Easy to use

Cons:

• Limited feature set

Key Features:

• Motion detection

SplitCam

Best for having fun

While many programs on the list have been focused on professional use, the developers of SplitCam put their focus on fun. The software features fun effects to add emotion to your streams and even has a 3d mask feature that replaces your head with something else.

Operating system: Windows 7 and up

Supported devices: Webcams and IP cameras

Price: Free

Pros:

• Completely free
• Easy to use interface

Cons:

• Doesn't support 4K
• Doesn't integrate with popular social media platforms

Key Features:

• Fun effects
• 3D mask technology
• Allows capturing from different video sources

Windows 10 Camera

Best for Xbox One users

Like YawCam, this software from Microsoft is a bare-bones webcam recorder. It does not have any of the fancy features that other programs on the list have but is perfect if you just need something simple for laptop or desktop use with Windows 10.

Operating system: Windows 10

Supported platforms: PC, Xbox One

Price: Free

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Supports up to 4K with an external camera

Cons:

• Limited feature set

Key Features:

• Photo timer

Debut Video Capture Software

Best for power users

This free software is perfect for people who do not want the frills of fancy effects and titling abilities, but nonetheless want a powerful webcam capturing tool that will allow them to stream from a variety of sources.

Operating system: Windows XP and up, macOS 10.5 and up

Supported output formats: MP4, AVI, MPG, MOV, WMV, FLV

Price: Free

Pros:

• Minimalistic UI
• Good selection of recording options

Cons:

• Fixed 30 fps framerate
• No fancy effects

Key Features:

• Ability to add watermarks
• Basic editing tools

Webcam Toy

Best for using online

The software will work on any operating system because it is a web-based solution. If you do not want to download files onto your computer, or do not have permission to install files on the computer you are using, this is the best webcam recorder for you.

Operating system: Any

Supported platforms: PC, mobile

Price: Free

Pros:

• Web-based software
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Limited feature set

Key Features:

• Over 80 effects

MyCam

Best for managing photos and videos

This simple camera app for windows will give you some nice features for managing the photos and videos that you take using the software but is light on the special effects and other bells and whistles.

Operating system: Windows

Supported output formats: MP4, AVI

Price: Free

Pros:

• Can broadcast to YouTube and Facebook
• An album to manage videos

Cons:

• Limited feature set
• Watermark on the free version

Key Features:

• Share videos from desktop to mobile via QR code
• Open and play image and movie files

Bandicam

Best for streamers

This PC only webcam software option is popular among YouTubers because it allows you to capture video from multiple sources, including gameplay, and it has a simple editor built-in for getting your video just right.

Operating system: Windows Vista and up

Supported output formats: MP4, AVI, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF

Price: Free/Paid

Pros:

• Records in HD
• Supports up to 144 fps

Cons:

• Not as easy to use as some of the other options
• The free version has a watermark and 10-minute time-limit

Key Features:

• Includes basic editing features
• Captures from a wide variety of sources

Photo Booth Pro

Best for taking photos

This software is primarily designed for taking and editing photos with your webcam. Although it can record video and output it in MP4 format, it only supports very low resolutions by modern standards.

Operating system: Windows 10

Supported output formats: PNG, JPEG, MP4

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Pros:

• Fast loading and operation

Cons:

• Very low video resolution

Key Features:

• A number of image effects that can be applied
• Film strip feature that merges up to four images

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Best for simplicity

This is another option for users that want something that doesn't have many effects but does have a lot of powerful features for controlling how your video is recorded in a simple to use package.

Operating system: Windows, macOS

Supported output formats: WMV, AVI, MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, MPEG, VOB, WEBM

Price: Free

Pros:

• Simple interface
• Powerful recording options

Cons:

• Not many effects

Key Features:

• Supports frame rates from 5 to 60fps
• Supports a large number of output formats

Camwiz Webcam Recorder

Best for fans of a minimalist interface

This macOS only webcam recorder is perfect for computer users that are fans of Apple products. The interface shares the design goal that many of Apple's own software has. It is simple to use without lacking in features.

Operating system: macOS

Supported output formats: H.264, MOV

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Well designed interface

Cons:

• macOS only
• Not a lot of effects and other features

Key Features:

• Night vision mode
• The ability to flip the video
• Can be used as a virtual webcam for other software

IP Camera Viewer

Best for security monitoring

IP Camera Viewer is designed primarily for security applications. This makes it very simple to use the software to view video output from many different cameras at once.

Operating system: Windows XP and up

Supported devices: IP Cameras and USB Cameras

Price: Free

Pros:

• Supports over 1800 camera models
• Supports up to 4 cameras at once

Cons:

• No effects options

Key Features:

• Manually adjust the properties of all connected cameras
• Allows digital zoom even when the camera does not have a zoom feature

Frequently Asked Questions