Live Broadcast Software for Teaching Online Classes
By Dacast Editorial Team | Reviewed by Jon Whitehead, COO at Dacast | Updated August 2026
Are you using video as an online educator? If not, you should be. As The Journal put it, “Video is becoming as ubiquitous in classrooms as laminated periodic tables and whiteboards.” This article aims to support educators getting started with live streaming by providing a review of live broadcast software.”
Specifically, we’re going to look at some of the top live broadcast software on the market today. We’ll also review the difference between software and hardware for live streaming, and when you want to use one solution over the other. Before we get to those reviews, we’ll first go over some basics about why and how educators are using online video.
About two-thirds of teachers agree that video education helps students learn. This article aims to help provide you with the tools you need to grow that number even higher.
According to a PBS teacher survey on media and technology, 68% of educators believe video stimulates discussion, 66% believe it increases student motivation, and 41% believe it increases student achievement. This article aims to help provide you with the tools you need to put those benefits to work.
TL;DR: Live broadcast software (an encoder) converts your camera feed into a format ready for streaming, typically RTMP. OBS Studio is free and works for most classroom setups; vMix and Wirecast add more advanced production features for a price. Hardware encoders from Videon integrate directly with Dacast if you need a dedicated, camera-mounted device instead of running software on a computer. About two in three teachers say video helps students learn, according to a PBS survey of educators.
Table of Contents
- Video is a Powerful Educational Tool
- How Educators Are Using Online Video
- 5 Top Live Broadcast Software
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Video is a powerful educational tool
Video is an unmatched tool for communication. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. In that case, a video made up of 30 pictures per second is worth 30,000 words per second of video. That may sound like hyperbole, but it’s simply true that video is a more natural means of communication for human beings than text is. The face-to-face element is key.
This is reflected in the data. According to research on video-based learning, the benefits of using online video for education include:
- “enhance[d] comprehension and retention of information”
- Support for “multi-modal” learning
- Appeal to multiple learning preferences
- Help students understand complex information
- Develop digital literacies
How educators are using online video
Educators are using online video and live streaming in a wide variety of creative ways. One example is the increasingly-popular “flipped classroom” model. In this approach, lectures are live-streamed or available via on-demand video. Classroom time is reserved for questions, discussion, and examples.
This approach makes the most of limited teacher resources and allows students to study and learn at their own pace. The same approach can be very valuable for non-native language speakers. They may need to playback videos at a slower speed, or watch sections over and over. Video facilitates this.
Video is also great when students have to miss class for important reasons. The ability to stay up with work enables students to stay up to date. This can be essential for students who have children, work a job, or experience family emergencies.
Finally, video is ideal for distance learning. Distance learning is becoming an ever-larger part of education around the world—and with good reason. Video makes this all possible. Whatever you’re using video for, remember that the way that you use it should be targeted based on your specific learning goals.
5 top live broadcast software
One of the essential elements in successful live broadcasting is called an “encoder.” An encoder takes the video feed from a camera, such as a webcam or external video camera, and transcodes it into a format that’s suitable for live streaming.
Typically, this format is called RTMP. Most encoders are RTMP compatible, though Dacast also accepts SRT, which recovers from packet loss more gracefully than RTMP, worth considering if you’re teaching from a shared school network or a connection that isn’t always stable. From there, your platform handles delivery, typically as HLS.
There are two main types of encoders that are available today. The first is software encoders, or what we can call live broadcast software. These applications are installed on a computer or mobile device.
The second type of encoder is called a hardware encoder. These are dedicated, single-purpose devices that accept camera inputs. They do the same job as a software encoder but in a different way. Hardware encoders come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, portable, and designed to be attached to your camera for streaming using cell networks. Others are large, rack-mounted units for studio use.
Our list will include both live broadcast software and hardware encoders.
OBS Studio
Overview
First up is OBS Studio. OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is a very popular live broadcast software. It’s an open-source project, which means that anyone can develop their own extensions or modifications.
Features
- Wide range of inputs and sources, including capture cards/devices, desktop capture, images, text, webcams, and more
- Video transitions and effects, including green screen
- Audio mixer
- Customizable modular user interface and hotkey support
- Local recording support
- Multiview allows you to preview and cut between up to 8 different sources
- Support for various extensions to add functionality, such as NDI support
- Does not support multi-bitrate streaming by default
Compatability
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing
OBS Studio is completely free.
Teradek
Overview
Teradek isn’t a software encoder. Rather, it’s a company known for a range of hardware encoders used in classrooms and studio spaces to live stream lectures and classes.
Teradek’s current lineup is built around the Prism Series, which replaced the earlier VidiU, Cube, Slice, and T-Rax families (now discontinued and available only on the used-equipment market). Prism devices are compact, camera-mountable H.264/H.265 encoders that support HDMI or SDI input, cellular bonding for streaming over multiple networks at once, and integration with a companion app for setup and stream monitoring.
Videon
Overview
Videon is another company that produces video encoding hardware for live video. Their devices are small units that can be easily mounted in a classroom or studio context.
Features
- Sonora: 1080p H.264 encoder/decoder, HDMI video input, Ethernet, and more.
- Greylock: Same as Sonora, but supports 3G SDI inputs from professional-grade cameras.
- Shavana: Support up to 4K resolutions via H.265 or H.264, and supports HDMI or SDI cameras.
- All Videon encoders integrate directly with Dacast for ease of use.
Compatability
Videon’s hardware encoders can be used with any cameras with the correct output.
Pricing
- Sonora: $795
- Greylock: $995
- Shavano: $1,995
vMix
Overview
The next live broadcast software we’ll take a look at here is vMix. vMix is a capable, longtime live broadcast software. It’s available in a wide range of editions to support different users, which is a great feature for educators.
Features
- Support for a full range of sources such as capture cards, desktop windows, video files, and more
- Video transitions and effects, including green screen
- Built-in title templates
- Remote control via touch screen web interface
- Local recording support
- Instant replay functionality
- Social media integration
- WebRTC video chat solution (vMix Call), guest limit varies by edition: not available on Basic, Basic HD, or SD, 1 guest on HD, 2 on 4K, and up to 8 on Pro
- Direct integration with Dacast for easy setup
Compatability
Available for Windows only.
Pricing
vMix pricing is pretty complex, with editions ranging from Basic HD up through HD, 4K, and Pro. Entry-level editions cover basic resolution and features, while the Pro edition ($1200) adds 4K streaming, unlimited recording channels, and advanced production tools like ISO recording and macro automation.
This pricing comparison table from the vMix website lays out the details:
Voici le tableau prêt à copier-coller, avec “Yes/No” à la place des symboles rouge/vert.
vMix Edition Comparison Table
| Basic | Basic HD | SD | HD | 4K | Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $60 USD | $150 USD | $350 USD | $700 USD | $1200 USD |
| Total Inputs | 4 | 4 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Camera / NDI Inputs | 2 | 3 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Maximum Resolution | 768 x 576 | 1920 x 1080 | 768 x 576 | 1920 x 1080 | 4096 x 2160 | 4096 x 2160 |
| Overlay Channels | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fullscreen Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Playlist | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video List | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vMix Call | No | No | No | Yes (1 Caller) | Yes (2 Callers) | Yes (8 Callers) |
| MultiCorder | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Instant Replay | No | No | No | No | Yes (1 Camera) | Yes (4 Cameras) |
| Two External Outputs / Two Fullscreen Outputs / Four Virtual Outputs | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scripting | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| PTZ Control | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Wirecast
Overview
The final live broadcast software we’ll examine here is Wirecast, produced by the company Telestream. Wirecast is a powerful, easy-to-use live streaming mixer and encoder.
Features
- Mix multiple sources (comparable to vMix and OBS in source support)
- Transitions and video effects including crop, resizing, etc.
- Unlimited video sources
- Integrated WebRTC tool for video chat
- Local recording
- Integrations for social media comments, etc.
- Free wireless camera app for use with iOS devices
- Direct integration with Dacast for easy stream setup
Compatability
Available for Windows and macOS.
Pricing
There are two versions of Wirecast available. Wirecast Studio starts at $34/month billed annually, and includes NDI, IP camera, and web stream input, GPU-accelerated encoding, and support for up to 2 remote guests. Wirecast Pro, at $42/month billed annually, adds support for up to 7 remote guests, ISO recording, PTZ camera control, multi-track audio, and more.
FAQ
What’s the difference between software and hardware encoders for teaching?
Software encoders like OBS Studio run on a computer and are free or low-cost, which suits most classroom setups. Hardware encoders are dedicated, standalone devices that run independently of a computer. They cost more but can be more reliable for larger, multi-camera, or high-volume broadcasting needs.
Is OBS Studio good enough for teaching online classes?
Yes, for most educators. OBS Studio is free, open-source, and supports a wide range of inputs and sources, including webcams, capture cards, and screen sharing. It doesn’t support multi-bitrate streaming by default, which may matter for larger institutions but rarely affects a single classroom setup.
Do I need a hardware encoder to live stream a class?
Most individual educators don’t. A software encoder on a laptop covers typical classroom needs. Hardware encoders make more sense for institutions running multiple simultaneous broadcasts, large lecture halls, or setups that need to stay independent of a computer’s processing load.
What format do encoders typically use to stream to a platform?
Most encoders output RTMP, which streaming platforms then deliver to viewers, commonly repackaged as HLS. Some newer encoders and platforms also support SRT, which handles unstable network connections more gracefully than RTMP.
Which broadcast software integrates directly with Dacast?
vMix and Wirecast both offer direct integration with Dacast for easier stream setup. OBS Studio also works with Dacast via standard RTMP, and Videon’s hardware encoders integrate directly as well.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has served as a good introduction to the live broadcast software and hardware necessary for quality streaming. However, you’re not quite done yet. You need to think about cameras and audio as well. Another essential part of live streaming is an Online Video Platform (OVP) capable of delivering your content to viewers.
Dacast helps a wide range of businesses and educational institutions get started with live streaming. If you’d like to try out our services, you can check out how our live video streaming platform could boost your online educational efforts with our 14 days free trial (no credit card required).
