John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 05.03.2023 22:May PM EDT

The Best Tools for Streaming on a Budget

Video game streaming - once a hobby and a way to share your gameplay with people, is now a viable business to invest your money into if you have the guts to do so.

A lot of professional video game streamers use what looks to be expensive pieces of equipment to get their streams up and running, but for first-time streamers, most of them are out of reach for the average Joe, financially speaking.

Here are our suggestions for the streaming tools you'll need if you want to pursue a career in video game streaming:

Streamlabs OBS

First and foremost, you'll need streaming software to capture real-time input from your camera and microphone and broadcast them to the streaming platform of your choice. While all of them are all free to download and use, some are better than others.

Streamlabs OBS is one of the most recommended streaming software you can download free on the internet for a good reason: its users like its ability to produce a professional setup with little technical know-how, providing people going into streaming for the first time with an easier entry into the gaming streaming scene.

Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam - $58.95 at Amazon

While many streamers don't reveal their faces and real-life identity at the start, some do; for those, getting a webcam is a must-do before they can even start streaming video games.

Although using a device's built-in webcam is viable, they're normally not even as good as entry-level webcams. One of the great options first-time streamers could get for themselves is the Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam, which offers an artificial light source - its ring light, manual and automatic focus, and fully customizable brightness, contrast, saturation, and white balance.

It captures video at 720p at 60 fps - a decent resolution for someone just starting to stream video games.

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT2020+ - $56.99 at Amazon

Next would be a microphone, of which there are many options to choose from. Using a webcam's built-in microphone is a good choice to keep the budget low and practical, but not many are as good as actual microphones; those that do are usually expensive.

One of the best budget-friendly microphones out there is Audio-Technica's AT2020+ USB microphone. According to PC Gamer, the microphone provides crisp audio for its price; Audio-Technica also built the microphone to last, allowing you to get the most value out of your purchase.

Green Screen Backdrop - $18.99 - $22.99 At Amazon

Last but not least is a green screen backdrop with which you can digitally insert overlays for your streams. While this piece of equipment is largely optional, it allows you to present a much more optimal background for you to be in than your room, which may or may not be as clean as you want it to be.

Additionally, it also lets you be creative with your streams, allowing you to really make your stream much more memorable for your viewers. Thankfully, many greenscreen backdrops are relatively cheap; you just have to find the one most suited to your budget.

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