Are you looking for webcam software for video calls or other purposes? In this article, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 best free webcam software and discussed the pros and cons of these tools.
What Is Webcam Software?
Webcam software, also referred to as virtual webcam, is an application tailored for controlling and utilizing webcams, whether integrated into devices like laptops or external ones connected via USB. With webcam software, users can effortlessly capture photos, record videos, and live stream webcam footage, all equipped with features such as webcam adjustments and filters.
Using a webcam app enhances communication when you chat, video call, or attend meetings on platforms like Zoom.
15 Best Webcam Software For Beginners and Professionals
Fineshare FineCam is the go-to webcam software that turns your phone into a webcam. It helps you customize and enhance your webcam with filters, effects, brand overlays, and different kinds of virtual backgrounds. To present your personality and your idea in a better way, it allows you to remove webcam background and add images, videos, web pages, slides, and YouTube videos as background. In addition, you can add multiple cameras to show yourself, your product, and your work from different angles. Download and install the free edition of the best virtual camera.
Just like OBS or Streamlab, it also offers you a Virtual Camera feature so that you can use your edited live videos on video apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, etc.
Furthermore, it brings Apple’s recently announced Continuity Camera to your Windows computer so that you can enjoy portrait mode, wireless connection, 4K videos, Ultra-Wide camera, and more on your video calls on a computer.
Compatibility: Windows 8, 10/11, and macOS 11 and above.
? Pros:
- Support adding multiple iPhones, iPads, and Android devices as webcams.
- Blur, remove and change the webcam background with AI face recognition.
- Work with Unsplash to give you endless virtual backgrounds for free.
- Webcam filters and effects are included.
- You can enjoy almost all the features for free.
? Cons:
- Watermark is included in the free edition
- Removing the webcam background requires Windows 10 and Windows 11 with high-end GPU.
OBS Virtual Camera for Windows (Free)
OBS Studio is an open-source live streaming and video recording software that you can use and download without cost. It can create scenes with multiple types of video sources like computer displays, video games, webcams, and many more. It is a recommended software for creating videos for various video production sites like YouTube, Facebook Lives, etc. Users can also record their videos locally and share them online. Also, it can act like a virtual webcam used on most video conference apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and so on.
To use OBS Virtual Camera, just click on the button ‘Start Virtual Camera‘ on the Control panel at the bottom left corner of OBS Studio.
Compatibility: Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11
? Pros:
- The installation process is easy.
- Customizable user Interface.
- Contains amazing configurations and tools for video streaming, recording, and editing.
? Cons:
- Complex user interface.
- Contains some crash and failure reports from users.
- Hard to use for first-time users.
Streamlabs Virtual Camera for PC
Streamlabs Desktop (Officially Streamlabs OBS) is another free and open-source video streaming software you can use to put live streaming to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc. In early 2022, Streamlabs announced that it provides a new virtual camera feature, which means you can use it to share your created scenes to video chat platforms like Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.
To use virtual webcam features, firstly you need to click the Settings icon on the bottom right corner to find the Virtual Webcam section and then install the camera driver. To enjoy more features like multi-streaming, themes, overlays, and extensions, you have to buy a Pro edition, which will cost about costs USD 19 per month or USD 149 per year.
Compatibility: Windows 10 or macOS 10.14 or higher.
? Pros:
- Contains a user-friendly UI.
- Has a multistreaming feature with high resolution.
- Social Media integrations
? Cons:
- A stable release for MAC is still unavailable.
- Required high-performing CPU.
- Runs very poorly on low-end devices.
E2esoft VCam (Free Version)
E2ESOFT VCam is virtual webcam software that enables users to emulate a webcam in users’ systems and behaves like a real one. It can be used with various applications that use webcams such as IM software, video broadcasting, video conferencing, video teaching, remote education, video chatting, etc. Users can use it to set animation, images, videos, desktop screens, and many other file formats as the video of the webcam.
Compatibility: Windows 2000/WinXP/Win2003/VISTA/WIN7, and DirectX 8.0 or higher.
? Pros:
- User can use their phone as a webcam.
- After installing this app on both your phone and PC, easily convert the phone to a webcam connect through a Wi-Fi network or USB cable.
- Supports popular third-party apps like Zoom, Skype, Teams, etc.
? Cons:
- Unavailable for macOS.
- Contains watermark.
Manycam Virtual Camera (Free Version)
ManyCam is an application software created by VISICOM MEDIA INC. Users can use their webcam with multiple streaming applications simultaneously with ManyCam. It supports nearly all chat software that can use alternative video sources. ManyCam allows you to provide professional live videos on any streaming platform like YouTube, Facebook, or apps like Zoom, Skype, etc.
Compatibility: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
? Pros:
- Supports almost 37 apps and services.
- Supports various content-sharing platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitch, etc.
- Easy installation process.
? Cons:
- The free version doesn’t support webcam background removal.
- Has reports on character encoding errors.
- No trial version for premium editions.
- Integration with another app is not available during video streaming.
Altercam Virtual Camera
AlterCam is free software that contains lots of exciting features. It has a large collection of effects, overlays, and underlay. AlterCam is also able to split your webcam video into many programs. Through this software, users can broadcast their pre-recorded video, live desktop (Screen Share), or any format of video.
Compatibility: Windows 7
? Pros:
- Downloadable effects.
- Split the AlterCam virtual webcam with multiple video chat programs.
- Contains a wide range of effects/distortions.
- Users can create, save and customize effects.
? Cons:
- Can’t add images as overlays in the free version.
- Can’t change the background in the free version.
Chromacam
ChromaCam enables you to alter and blur your background wherever you go. It helps to create steaming engagement with material making a seamless face-to-face meeting.
ChromaCam helps you replace or blur your background without a fancy green screen and assists you in getting studio-like functionality from your desktop. You can make video meeting settings secure and private with the help of ChromaCam and can seamlessly integrate with all leading video chat apps.
Compatibility: Windows 10 (64bit), and Mac OS 10.14 and above.
? Pros:
- Create custom 3D avatar.
- Support background blur.
- Offer video backgrounds.
? Cons:
- The free version has a watermark.
- There is a limit on FPS for free users.
EpocCam
Similar to FineCam, EpocCam is a computer and smartphone app that, when connected, allows you to use your computer or smartphone camera as a webcam. It effectively turns your phone into a high-definition webcam within minutes.
You can shoot in landscape or portrait mode with a blurred background for the chroma key. It has gestures to support Snapchat lenses with AR effects and animation. You can easily connect via Wi-Fi or USB. It provides a professional quality to your video and is best for remote work like businesses, teaching, and content creation.
Compatibility: Windows 10/11 64-bit or later. macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later.
? Pros:
- Allow you to use AR lenses.
- Support manual focus.
- Switch between wide angle, telephoto and ultrawide lenses.
? Cons:
- The free version comes with a watermark.
Camo
Reincubate Camo is an app to use your phone or tablet as a pro-quality webcam. It allows you to access high-quality videos from your Android or your iPhone.
You can record these videos on apps like Zoom, Skype, and Meets. The easy connectivity feature allows flawless use and proper handling for the best results, as it has various controls over the hardware and software adjustments.
Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or newer or Windows 10 or 11.
? Pros:
- Brighten yourself with Spotlight.
- Support Portrait mode.
- It has an auto framing feature.
- No watermark.
? Cons:
- Limited features for free users.
Droidcam
DroidCam is another amazing software that can make your phone a webcam instantly. You can also use it with multiple online meeting apps like Zoom, Skype, and MS Teams.
You can use DroidCam by connecting it to a computer via Wi-Fi or USB for free in high-definition. The user-friendly interface has an easy setup and lightweight coding. So you won’t need any loads of support.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Mac, but you can download the PC client for Windows 10/11 or Linux. You will need Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher on the mobile side.
Compatibility: Windows 10/11 or Linux
? Pros:
- Free to use with low latency.
- Deliver high-quality video.
- Basic webcam settings like flip, Zoom in, Zoom out.
- Can be integrated with OBS.
? Cons:
- Outdated user interface.
- Limited features.
Webcam Toy
Webcam Toy is a fully-featured online webcam software designed to serve startups, enterprises, and agencies. It provides end-to-end solutions designed for web apps. It helps you take selfies with the camera using 80 free fun effects. You can save the pictures on your PC and share them online. You will find it quickly as it loads in a few seconds.
Compatibility: Any web browsers
? Pros:
- Free and easy to use.
- A variety of webcam effects.
- Photos can be saved directly to Google Photos.
? Cons:
- Only support taking photos online
QuickTime for Mac
QuickTime is a famous multimedia player for Macintosh. It can handle a significant amount of pictures and videos, becoming a leading choice among Mac users.
You can use QuickTime to seamlessly play videos, audio, and other content. This tool also comes with basic video editing features. You can record videos in a clean and straightforward interface. It also supports live streaming with many other features.
Compatibility: Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later.
? Pros:
- Clean and intuitive interface.
- High-quality webcam video.
? Cons:
- Lack advanced features for webcam settings.
Windows Camera
For Windows users, what could be better than their official Camera App? It will enable your webcam recordings instantly and let you capture videos and photos.
The Camera app supports high-resolution pictures and allows you to take quick snapshots. It comes with a self-time that makes clicking the images even more effortless. Since it is lightweight, you won’t need loads of resources or top-tier hardware.
Compatibility: Windows 10 or higher
? Pros:
- Very easy to set up.
- Quick button to change webcam.
- Support HDR and photo timer.
? Cons:
- Only provide users with basic features.
Bandicam
Bandicam is a great screen recording software that helps to capture anything on your PC. It is among the best video game webcam recorders. It will help you to screen capture with a high compression ratio.
With the help of it, you can record videos for 24 hours. It also supports real-time drawing and is easy to use from different video overlays.
Compatibility: 32-bit Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11
? Pros:
- Support webcam overlay.
- Allow you to draw on your screen.
- Record a video at a specific time.
? Cons:
- Only available on Windows.
- Free users can only record up to 10 minutes per recording.
Logitech Capture
Logitech Capture is a program used to record videos with Logitech Webcams. You don’t need an expensive camera to make high-quality videos with the help of this tool.
It provides collaboration, speed adjustment, multi-streaming, and live-streaming adjustment features. Logitech capture adds transition effects, source stitching, and colorful borders to your video recordings. Additionally, you can use Logitech Capture to configure your webcam field of view, aspect ratio, and recording resolution.
Compatibility: Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.14 or above
? Pros:
- Capture video from multiple sources at the same time.
- Various font styles for you to choose.
- Support recording vertical video.
? Cons:
- The price is expensive.
Frequently asked questions about Virtual Webcam
Is it safe to use virtual webcam software?
Using the virtual camera is safe if it’s trusted by institutions and people around the world. Also, the software should be collected from a trusted source otherwise there may be malware installation files. If you install a malware file, your system may be affected by malware and if your system is not protected, there can be unauthorized access to your data by using your camera or microphone as a portal.
How do I enable a virtual camera (OBS) on my system?
Whatever your system is, you first need to download the virtual camera software. After that to send your scenes to your system as a webcam, you need to click Start Virtual Camera located in the Controls dock on the main screen of OBS studio. Now open the app which you like to use with a virtual webcam like Zoom, Meet, etc. Instead of selecting a hardware webcam, you have to choose the virtual camera option.
