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Users use webcams for different purposes and in different ways. Some want fancy and funny effects to make their video feed engaging, while others want something simple. The default Logitech or Microsoft WebcCam are good, but they are not so good. Most of the time, they lack the features such as streaming or funny effects.
Moreover, for some users, the software does not support their older Windows XP. Keeping all the difficulties in mind, we have compiled a list of the seven best webcam software for Windows and Mac that offer excellent features like a slick interface, various editing tools, ease of use, and more.
So let us get started.
Best Virtual Webcam Software in 2022
The webcam on your laptop can do much more than just click selfies or record a chat session using an application like Skype. If your system is paired with the right software, you can use the virtual webcam to take wide-angle selfies or even use it for surveillance purposes. So without any further adieu, let us get started.
1. WebcamMax Free Version – Windows, Free & Premium
WebcamMax virtual webcam offers a slick interface, a simple installation process, and customizable features that make this software the best option for using your webcam with multiple programs simultaneously.
You can add videos, photos, and effects to your virtual webcam and broadcast them on messenger. Moreover, you can also share your screen and watch movies with others. It also allows recording, picture-in-picture, doodling, and more.
Using WebcamMax, you can add thousands of eye-catching effects to your webcam videos for live chats and recording.
2. Webcamoid – Windows, macOS, Linux, Free
Webcamoid is a fully-featured virtual webcam-capturing application that allows you to take photos and record videos with funny effects. Webcamoid is an open-source webcam suite designed for Windows, Linux, and Mac. It offers the following features:
- Take pictures and record videos with the webcam.
- Manages multiple webcams.
- Add funny effects to the virtual webcam.
- It offers many recording features.
- This virtual webcam works well with other programs.
3. WebcamStudio – Linux, Free
WebcamStudio is a multi-featured virtual webcam application compatible with Skype or Flash websites like UStream, which helps create professional broadcasts, banners, animations, icons, transit animations, and much more.
You need to know that this tool is not a video editor but a live video mixer that helps to improve the quality of the broadcast you create.
4. ManyCam Free – Windows, macOS, Freemium
ManyCam is a free-to-use webcam application and video switcher that helps to enhance your video chats and create engaging live streams on different platforms simultaneously. With this tool, you can create some professional broadcasts on your favorite platform, record your screen, add attractive effects, and much more.
- Desktop screencasting: You can share your computer screen during your live videos or record the actions you take on your desktop. ManyCam enables you to record or cast your desktop live. You can capture your entire screen, custom areas, specific application, minimized or hidden windows, and much more. The latest update of the application also allows you to screencast at a better frame rate than ever.
- Web source: ManyCam allows you to add pages to your live broadcast as video resources without going to the browser. You can also customize the webpage by customizing the CSS, which helps you edit your live stream the way you want.
- 4K Video Support: ManyCam allows you to render, record, and stream 4K videos and is compatible with multiple video sources. So now you can record your live video in the highest quality to increase your viewers.
- Game Streaming (beta): With the game streaming feature, you can easily choose the game you want to record and stream it on any platform, especially Twitch with the brand new Twitch integration. This application harnesses the power of your GPU with the help of many popular video encoders that make it faster and do not use up your GPU.
- YouTube Integration: ManyCam allows you to stream and broadcast videos from YouTube using the YT video source. You need to go to the menu and select YouTube URL from the drop-down menu. Then enter the URL of your YouTube video, and it will be played automatically.
- Broadcast to multiple channels: ManyCam allows you to use your webcam with different applications simultaneously. You can use this application to chat with your friends and family on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Zoom, Cisco Webex, Google Duo, etc. Moreover, you can also use it to live stream on different websites as well.
5. Webcam Capture – Windows and Free
Webcam Capture is another very simple virtual webcam software that helps you to monitor one or more webcam feeds from a streamlined, minimalistic user interface. It allows you to add visual effects and modify your webcam properties easily.
All you need to do is click on the ‘Start Video’ button to get started. You can also change your webcam device properties with the help of this software.
6. Free2X Webcam Recorder – Windows and Free
Free2X Webcam Recorder is a free virtual webcam recording software that allows you to record videos from any digital camera. You can save your videos in various formats, including AVI, MP4m, and WMV. With this tool, you can also record audio in all formats.
Audios are recorded with microphone, line-in, or speakers. Another advantage of this application is that it can take a screenshot of the webcam screen and save it in JPG or BMP format.
Another unique feature of this application is that you can easily use custom keyboard shortcuts that help control the webcam. You can record, pause, stop, or take a screenshot with the keyboard shortcuts.
It also allows you to edit the watermark on the final file. Free2X will enable you to schedule, record, or stop the webcam at the set time with the help of the scheduling tab. It also offers a robust file manager to manage your broadcast and recording.
7. Debut – Windows, macOS, Freemium
Debut is a video capture and screen video recording software that records videos from your screen webcam and other video devices. It allows you to capture your entire screen or a specific portion of your screen. You can save the videos in different formats like avi, flv, WMV, and other video formats.
One unique feature of Debut is that you can email your recording once it is done or share it via FTP. You can record videos at a specific time, record computer games, create demo videos, capture video messages, add text or captions, adjust your video’s frame rate, and more.
Conclusion
The basic webcam is not enough when you want to keep your viewers engaged and increase viewer traffic on your video streaming platforms. Basic webcams cannot do much. However, there are many virtual webcams available online that can help you to create engaging and eye-catching video broadcasts and live streams. Here in this post, we have mentioned the seven best virtual webcams available online to help you choose the right webcam.
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