Our verdict: NDI Tools is the free kit for anyone using NDI video on a network, for example sending a gaming PC's screen to a streaming PC or monitoring PTZ cameras. It turns screens and webcams into NDI sources and shows any NDI feed on a monitor. It does nothing on its own, so it is only useful alongside NDI-capable apps or cameras.
About NDI Tools
NDI is a standard for sending high-quality, low-latency video and audio over ordinary Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks, supported by OBS Studio plugins, vMix, Wirecast, many PTZ cameras and other products. NDI Tools is the free set of Windows and Mac utilities from the company behind the standard.
On Windows the installer includes Discovery for an overview of NDI sources, Access Manager, Remote for sharing a source through a link, Router, Test Patterns, Studio Monitor, Webcam Input, Screen Capture and Bridge for connecting sites over the internet, plus a VLC plugin and the Audio Direct plugin for audio apps. The current release is version 6.
What it does well
- Screen Capture. Turns the desktop of one PC into an NDI source for another.
- Studio Monitor. Shows any NDI source on screen with its audio for checking feeds.
- Webcam Input. Presents an NDI source to Zoom, Teams or OBS as a virtual webcam.
- Router and Discovery. Lists the NDI sources on the network and switches them between outputs.
- Bridge and Remote. Connects NDI networks over the internet or shares one source by link.
Who it is for
Good fit
Streamers with two-PC setups and AV teams who move video between computers and cameras over a network.
Look elsewhere
Anyone without other NDI apps or devices; on its own the toolkit has nothing to connect.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- Easy two-PC streaming setups
- Virtual webcam from any NDI source
- Works with many apps and cameras
Cons
- Useful only with other NDI products
- Full-bandwidth NDI needs a fast wired network
- Firewall settings often block discovery
How to install NDI Tools
The button downloads the NDI 6 Tools installer for Windows; you can untick tools you do not need during setup. Allow the tools through Windows Firewall on private networks, or NDI sources will not appear. A wired gigabit network is recommended for full-bandwidth NDI video.
Questions about NDI Tools
Is NDI Tools free?
Yes. NDI Tools is a free download for Windows and macOS, linked directly from the official NDI Tools page.
Do I need NDI Tools to use NDI in OBS Studio?
OBS needs a separate NDI plugin, but NDI Tools adds handy extras such as Studio Monitor for checking feeds and Screen Capture for sending another PC's screen.
Does NDI work over Wi-Fi?
It can, but a wired gigabit network gives more reliable results, especially for high-bandwidth NDI.
