A web camera has become an indispensable tool for anyone who delivers webinars, shoots conversational videos for YouTube, or just wants to send a greeting to loved ones who are now far away. To perform all these activities, specialized webcam software is required.
There is a bundle of ready-to-use webcam software available on the market, as well as a custom software development option. Hence, this is a challenging task to choose the one camera application that best meets your requirements. To make your life easier, we’ve compiled a quick guide on the best webcam apps.
What is webcam software?
Webcam software is an application that allows you to live stream, record video from your device, and edit created videos by adding images, titles, filters, etc. Such solutions ensure the excellent quality of sound and picture, so you can create really engaging and professional videos for various purposes at home.
Top-10 webcam applications
1. ManyCam
This is a user-friendly desktop application for a computer or laptop, focused on conducting training broadcasts and meetings. ManyCam has video capture, as well as virtual whiteboard options for drawing on top of the picture, sound adjustment, interactive effects, masks.
Pros
- Integration with multiple video conferencing platforms
- No additional settings are required to detect built-in and external cameras
- Ability to stream videos in the 4K format
Cons
- All features are only available in the paid version
- High system requirements
2. CyberLink YouCam
A program that can record video and sound not only directly from the camera, but also save a video conference organized via Skype or some other similar popular services to a video file.
Pros
- A high level of protection for your camera due to face login and surveillance
- Support for the overlaying of text and other effects while recording
- An intelligent mode for interactive masking, virtual makeup and filters
Cons
- Available for Windows only
- Limited functionality in a free version
3. Debut Video Capture Software
The tool records both the camera and the picture from the screen, and you can do it simultaneously. You can save it in multiple resolutions and the most suitable format: AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG, MP4 or MOV.
Pros
- The direct upload to video hosting from the interface
- Real-time background replacement, masking, and effects
- The ability to show keyboard presses and mouse clicks
Cons
- Lots of settings can be confusing
- The interface looks outdated
4. Windows Camera
This is the Microsoft’s webcam recording and live-streaming tool built into the Windows 10 operating system. Windows Camera is pre-installed on all Windows devices, so it’s always at hand.
Pros
- Direct uploading to OneDrive
- Automatic detection of connected cameras
- No installation is required
Cons
- Can’t provide the highest quality
5. Bandicam
This is a professional program for streaming and recording broadcasts on a webcam. It has numerous settings, options, built-in codecs for saving videos in different formats.
Pros
- Saves video in high quality and in almost any convenient format
- Can record 2D or 3D videos
- Suitable for fast-paced videos
Cons
- Too complicated for beginners
6. Webcam Surveyor
This app is focused more on the use in video surveillance systems than as a program for streaming and video broadcasting.
Pros
- Continuous video recording for up to 59 consecutive hours
- The ability to set up a scheduler and start stream saving when motion is detected
- Live-streaming of video and audio over the internet and LAN
Cons
- A primitive interface with minimum capabilities
7. Movavi Screen Recorder
A simple free program for recording video from a webcam and a computer screen in good quality with or without sound. You can draw over the recording, display clicks and keystrokes on the screen, and more.
Pros
- No complicated settings
- Clips are saved in HD or higher quality if computer resources allow
Cons
- In the free version, a watermark is applied to the video, to disable it, you need to buy a license
8. Active WebCam
A program for those who need a simple recording, without effects, masks and virtual make-up, but from a wide variety of sound and image sources. The tool accepts signals from all types of external cameras.
Pros
- A single-window mode to record videos from several cameras
- Automatic activation of recording upon motion detection or other programmed triggers
Cons
- Only the paid version is fully functional
9. ContaCam
Software for receiving and saving broadcasts from connected web and IP to a computer drive. It can also be used to broadcast live over the Internet or on a local network, but only if you do not need any interactivity.
Pros
- Can work on weak computers
- Customizable actions upon triggered events
Cons
- Manual settings
- Primitive interface
10. Yawcam
A simple and easy-to-use camera app with a built-in web server and a primitive interface.
Pros
- Entirely free
- Time-lapse movies
- Multilingual support
Cons
- Limited effects and features