Our verdict: Wirecast is a mature live production app for organizations that want support and a broadcast-style workflow on Windows or Mac. It handles unlimited camera sources, remote guests through a browser link and multistreaming. The trial has every feature, but a visual and audio watermark stays on output until you subscribe, and the plans are expensive.
About Wirecast
Wirecast is made by Telestream. It mixes unlimited camera sources from USB, HDMI, SDI capture cards, IP cameras, NDI and the Wirecast Go iOS app with media files, screen capture, titles, scoreboards and virtual sets. Rendezvous brings remote guests in through a browser link: up to 2 in Wirecast Studio and up to 7 in Wirecast Pro. A stock library with royalty-free media is included with a subscription.
The free trial unlocks all Studio and Pro features with no time limit, but adds a visual and audio watermark to all outputs and recordings until a license is activated. The download requires filling in a form. Wirecast Studio costs $59 per month billed monthly or $34 per month billed annually; Pro adds NDI output, ISO recording, PTZ control, sports tools and cloud multistreaming.
What it does well
- Unlimited camera sources. Uses webcams, capture cards, IP cameras, NDI and iOS devices as inputs.
- Rendezvous guests. Brings remote guests in through a browser link without installing software.
- Multistreaming. Streams to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, LinkedIn and custom RTMP targets.
- Graphics and virtual sets. Layers titles, scoreboards and chroma-key virtual sets over the show.
- ISO recording. Records clean feeds of individual cameras for later editing (Pro).
Who it is for
Good fit
Churches, schools, companies and broadcasters who want supported live production software on Windows or Mac.
Look elsewhere
Individual streamers on a budget, who can get similar results free with OBS Studio.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Trial has every feature and no time limit
- Browser-based remote guests
- Works on Windows and Mac
- Dedicated technical support
Cons
- Visual and audio watermark until you pay
- Expensive subscription plans
- Download requires a sign-up form
How to install Wirecast
Fill in the form on the trial page to get the download link, then run the Windows installer. The trial works without a time limit but every output is watermarked; after subscribing, activate the license in the app instead of reinstalling. A dedicated NVIDIA GPU is recommended for multi-camera shows.
Questions about Wirecast
Is Wirecast free?
No. The free trial includes all Studio and Pro features with no time limit, but adds a visual and audio watermark to every output. Removing it needs a subscription: Wirecast Studio is $34 per month billed annually or $59 billed monthly. The download requires a form.
What is the difference between Wirecast Studio and Pro?
Pro adds NDI output, up to 7 remote guests instead of 2, ISO recording, multi-track audio recording, PTZ camera control, sports production tools and cloud multistreaming.
Can Wirecast stream to several platforms at once?
Yes. It streams to several destinations at the same time, and Pro can send one stream to the cloud to be redistributed.
