Verified app list
The apps streamers actually use
Fake "OBS downloads" are one of the most common ways new streamers get malware. Every link below goes straight to the developer's official site — check the domain on the card matches the address bar and you're safe.
Broadcasting
- OBS StudioFreeThe free, open-source standard for streaming and recording. What our OBS settings calculator is built for — start here.Windows · macOS · Linux · ✓ obsproject.com
- Streamlabs DesktopFreemiumOBS with training wheels: built-in alerts, themes and overlays. Heavier on your PC than plain OBS, but easier day one.Windows · macOS · ✓ streamlabs.com
- TwitchFreeThe platform itself — manage your channel, mod tools and dashboard from the official site or app.Web · Desktop · Mobile · ✓ twitch.tv
Alerts & overlays
- StreamElementsFreeCloud-based alerts, overlays, chatbot and tipping. Everything lives in your browser, so your overlays follow you to any PC.Web (works with OBS) · ✓ streamelements.com
- Streamlabs AlertsFreemiumThe most common alert box on Twitch. Works inside plain OBS via a browser source — you don't need Streamlabs Desktop.Web (works with OBS) · ✓ streamlabs.com
Chat & emotes
- 7TVFreeThe biggest third-party emote library. If chat is using emotes you can't see, this is usually why.Browser extension · ✓ 7tv.app
- BetterTTVFreeAdds BTTV emotes plus quality-of-life chat features. Most established streamers run this and 7TV together.Browser extension · ✓ betterttv.com
- FrankerFaceZFreeThe third of the big three emote extensions, with deep Twitch layout and chat customization.Browser extension · ✓ frankerfacez.com
- ChatterinoFreeA lightweight desktop Twitch chat client — read multiple chats at once on a second monitor while you stream.Windows · macOS · Linux · ✓ chatterino.com
Audio & video
- VoicemodFreemiumReal-time voice changer and soundboard. Fun for bits; the soundboard alone is worth it for alerts and memes.Windows · macOS · ✓ voicemod.net
- NVIDIA BroadcastFreeAI noise removal, background blur and auto-framing. If you have an RTX card, this makes a cheap mic sound far better.Windows (RTX GPUs) · ✓ nvidia.com
- VTube StudioFreemiumThe standard app for VTubing — tracks your face and animates a Live2D avatar into OBS.Windows · macOS · Mobile · ✓ denchisoft.com
IRL & cloud streaming
- LightstreamPaidCloud production in your browser — overlays and scenes are added on their servers, so console streamers get a full layout with no PC or capture card.Web (cloud) · ✓ golightstream.com
- IRLToolkitPaidA full OBS instance running in the cloud — you send it your phone's feed and control scenes remotely. The backbone of many big IRL streams.Web (cloud OBS) · ✓ irltoolkit.com
- MoblinFreeFree, open-source IRL streaming app for iPhone — SRT support, overlays and multi-network bonding without expensive hardware.iOS · ✓ moblin.app
- PRISM Live StudioFreeBeginner-friendly mobile streaming app with built-in effects and overlays — the easiest way to go live from your phone today.iOS · Android · Windows · macOS · ✓ prismlive.com
- BELABOXFreeThe open-source answer to $1,000+ bonding encoders — combine multiple SIM cards for rock-solid outdoor streams on a DIY budget.DIY hardware (open source) · ✓ belabox.net
- LiveU SoloPaidThe classic IRL backpack encoder — bonds several cellular connections so your stream survives a walk across the city.Hardware + cloud · ✓ liveu.tv
- TVU NetworksPaidBroadcast-grade bonded transmission and cloud production — what TV crews use in the field. Overkill for day one, the endgame for IRL.Hardware + cloud · ✓ tvunetworks.com
Utilities
- DiscordFreeWhere your community lives between streams. Set up a server early — it's the #1 way small streamers keep viewers.Windows · macOS · Linux · Mobile · ✓ discord.com
- Streamer.botFreePowerful local automation — chat commands, channel-point redemptions, scene switching. The tinkerer's favorite.Windows · ✓ streamer.bot
- VDO.NinjaFreeBring a guest's camera or your phone into OBS with just a link — no capture card, no accounts.Web · ✓ vdo.ninja
- RestreamFreemiumStream to Twitch, YouTube and Kick at the same time from one OBS output. Check each platform's exclusivity rules first.Web · ✓ restream.io
These are not affiliate links and no app paid to be listed — they're just the official sites, verified by hand. Always download streaming software from the developer's own domain, never from ads or "download portal" sites.