Streamlabs Desktop review

Streamlabs Desktop suits streamers who want a channel that looks finished on day one. The free download for Windows 10+ and macOS 12+ captures webcam, games, desktop, music and microphone, and it builds in what OBS Studio leaves to plugins: alerts for follows, subs and tips, a chat overlay, 12+ widgets, the Cloudbot chatbot and hundreds of free overlays. Free Dual Output streams one portrait and one horizontal platform at once, for example Twitch horizontally and TikTok vertically, and Collab Cam adds one guest or second camera from a shared link. Automations can switch scenes and clip highlights from gameplay, with 5 active on the free plan. Ultra, listed as starting at $15.75 per month, adds full multistreaming or custom RTMP, thousands of themes, all apps, up to 11 guests and 10GB of cloud storage. The free tier is generous, but the app regularly points you toward Ultra, and there is no Linux build.

Who it is for

new streamers who want alerts and overlays ready to go

Price

Free plan; Streamlabs Ultra listed as starting at $15.75 per month.

Starting at $15.75/mo
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• 12+ stream widgets on the free plan, including Alerts and Chat Box
• Dual Output to one portrait and one horizontal platform for free
• Cloudbot chatbot for moderation, games and custom commands
• Collab Cam adds 1 guest or camera on the free plan
• 5 active Automations that trigger visuals, scene switches and clips from gameplay

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Alerts, chat overlay and themes are built into the app
• Strength: Free download for Windows 10+ and macOS 12+
• Strength: No-cut tipping on the free plan
• Weakness: Multistreaming to more than one portrait and one horizontal platform needs Ultra
• Weakness: Free users get limited themes and apps compared with Ultra
• Weakness: No Linux version

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes
• Platforms: Windows 10+, macOS 12+
• Free Collab Cam: 1 guest or camera
• Paid plan: Ultra, from $15.75 per month

Where it ranks

Streamlabs Desktop is No. 3 in our Best Free Live Streaming Software verdict and No. 2 in Best OBS Alternatives.