Wirecast
Live stream software
Video software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$495.00 one-time
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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Medium
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- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
- Media and communications
- Accommodation and food services
What is Wirecast
Wirecast is a desktop live video production and streaming application used to switch between multiple video sources, add graphics, and stream to online platforms or record locally. It is typically used by event producers, houses of worship, educators, and corporate teams that need a software-based live switcher without dedicated hardware. The product focuses on real-time mixing, encoding, and output to common streaming destinations, with support for local capture devices and production overlays. It is installed and operated on Windows or macOS workstations rather than delivered as a browser-only service.
Multi-source live switching
Wirecast supports switching between multiple cameras, capture cards, screen shares, and media files within a single production. It provides scene/shot-based workflows that align with common live production practices. This makes it suitable for teams that need a software switcher for small to mid-sized productions without moving to dedicated hardware.
Built-in graphics and overlays
The software includes tools for lower-thirds, titles, transitions, and basic compositing to package a live program feed. Operators can layer sources and graphics in real time to produce a broadcast-style output. This reduces reliance on separate graphics systems for straightforward productions.
Flexible streaming and recording outputs
Wirecast is designed to encode and stream to common online destinations and can also record locally for post-event use. It supports typical production needs such as creating a program output while capturing an archive copy. This is useful when teams want a single operator workflow for both live distribution and local recording.
Desktop resource requirements
Because Wirecast runs live switching and encoding on a local machine, performance depends heavily on CPU/GPU capacity and I/O bandwidth. Multi-camera productions and high-resolution outputs can require a well-specified workstation and reliable capture hardware. This can increase setup cost and operational risk compared with more managed, cloud-based workflows.
Local setup and maintenance
Teams must install, configure, and maintain the application on each production machine, including OS updates, drivers, and device compatibility. Troubleshooting often involves local hardware, audio routing, and capture device settings. This can be more complex than browser-based tools that centralize updates and reduce device dependencies.
Limited end-to-end video platform
Wirecast focuses on live production and encoding rather than providing a full video hosting, analytics, and audience management platform. Organizations that need integrated registration, gated access, on-demand libraries, or deep viewer analytics may require additional services alongside Wirecast. This can lead to a more fragmented stack for enterprise webcast and video management use cases.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wirecast Studio | $495.00 (one-time purchase) | All-in-one live video streaming software: unlimited capture, live production and encoding for HD/SD sources; includes NewBlueFX Titler Live Express (stated $99 value); Mac & Windows versions; optional Premium Support $99; optional Firewire HDV Option $99. cite |
| Wirecast Pro | $995.00 (one-time purchase) | Includes all Studio features plus integrated HDV input support, Replay, support for more capture devices and IP cameras, web stream input, program feed output, live scoreboards, 3D virtual sets, and ISO recording; includes NewBlueFX Titler Live Express; Mac & Windows versions; optional Premium Support $199; Virtualsetworks package $329. cite |
Seller details
Telestream, LLC
Nevada City, California, USA
1998
Private
https://www.telestream.net/wirecast/
https://x.com/telestream
https://www.linkedin.com/company/telestream/
