# Streamlabs Desktop Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 All-in-one live streaming software Category: Media & Entertainment · Free · Replaces Ecamm Live ($20/month) · [Official website](https://streamlabs.com/) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask streamlabs` ## Quick take In August 2026, Streamlabs Desktop on Mac is still a strong all-in-one OBS fork if you want themes, tip pages, Dual Output, and optional Ultra multistream at $27/mo or $189/yr. Stay on Free/Starter until you actually use the Ultra bundle. Plain OBS remains the better pick for minimalists; Streamlabs remains better when creator commerce tools ship with the encoder. Best for: Twitch/YouTube creators who want overlays and tip pages without building from scratch, Multistreamers willing to pay Ultra, Mac creators on macOS 12+ who prefer guided tooling over raw OBS ## What is Streamlabs Desktop? Streamlabs Desktop is Logitech G's OBS-based live streaming and recording suite for Windows and Mac (macOS 12+). In August 2026 the core app remains free (Starter), while Streamlabs Ultra, the successor to Prime, bundles multistreaming, theme libraries, Collab Cam limits, editing apps, and higher Intelligent Streaming Agent quotas for $27/month or $189/year per Streamlabs FAQ. Ultra Plus adds higher AI agent limits and human success calls. The Mac app supports Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Kick, TikTok-oriented dual output, and custom RTMP. Dual Output lets creators run horizontal and vertical canvases at once. The Intelligent Streaming Agent can act as producer, co-host, or tech support, with free-tier caps of about 100 one-time interactions and 5 automations versus Ultra (1,000 monthly / 10) and Ultra Plus (5,000 / 30). The optional 3D avatar co-host path is Windows/NVIDIA-heavy; Mac users should expect voice and producer features more than the full avatar stack. Competitors include OBS Studio (free, maximal control), Prism Live, and vendor tools from Twitch and YouTube. Streamlabs wins on batteries-included overlays and tip pages; OBS wins on purity and plugin control. The product is still actively developed under Logitech G and is not discontinued. ## Features - **Integrated Alert System & Widgets.** Streamlabs includes a built-in alert system for new followers, subscribers, donations, and related events. OBS Studio usually needs third-party browser sources for the same job. Desktop ships widgets for follower goals, donation tickers, chat boxes, and event lists. You can restyle them through the Theme Library: hundreds of free overlay themes plus premium designs for Ultra. Widgets connect to your platform accounts with little manual wiring, so on-stream notifications look finished without a design pipeline. - **Cloud Multistreaming.** With Streamlabs Ultra ($27/month or $189/year), you can broadcast at once to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, TikTok, Kick, Trovo, and custom RTMP destinations. The cloud multistream service sends one encode to Streamlabs servers, which fan out to each destination so you do not burn extra local bandwidth or CPU on restream plugins. The free Starter tier stays single-platform. Ultra is the paid path when you need cross-platform reach without a separate restream product. - **Talk Studio Guest Collaboration.** Talk Studio is a browser-based guest path: share a link, and remote video shows up as sources in your scenes without forcing guests to install desktop software. Free Talk Studio supports 1 guest; Talk Studio Pro (included with Ultra) supports up to 12 on-screen participants with higher audio/video quality. Combined with Collab Cam, this is the path for podcast-style shows, interviews, and co-op gaming where remote guests join often. - **Theme Library & Visual Customization.** The Theme Library applies overlay packages in one click: animated alerts, transitions, BRB screens, and lower-thirds. Free users get a large set of usable themes; Ultra unlocks premium exclusives. You can brand a first stream in minutes without hiring a designer or assembling assets by hand. - **App Store Integrations.** The Streamlabs App Store lists 60+ third-party integrations: music controllers (Spotify, Apple Music), game widgets, crowd control, chat bots, and analytics. Many apps are free; Ultra opens the full catalog. Apps attach as scene sources, so song requests, viewer-driven game effects, and live stats can run without separate window captures. - **Mobile Streaming & Console Support.** Alongside Desktop, Streamlabs ships iOS and Android apps for phone-based streaming plus Streamlabs Console for Xbox. Mobile supports camera streaming with alerts and overlays for IRL broadcasts. Console gives Xbox players a path without a capture card. All of them share a Streamlabs account so branding and alert config stay consistent across devices. - **Intelligent Streaming Agent.** The AI producer/co-host helps with production tasks, chat engagement, and stream-health monitoring. Free accounts get limited interactions and automations; Ultra and Ultra Plus raise monthly caps sharply (1,000 and 5,000 interactions respectively per product docs). On Mac, use voice/producer modes. The fullest 3D avatar co-host experience is documented around high-end Windows NVIDIA hardware. ## How to Install Streamlabs Desktop on Mac Streamlabs Desktop supports macOS 12.0 (Monterey) and later, including Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe. Download directly from streamlabs.com; separate builds target Intel and Apple Silicon. 1. **Download from Streamlabs.** Visit https://streamlabs.com and click Download Desktop. The site detects Intel vs Apple Silicon and serves the matching build. On M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs, pick the Apple Silicon build when you choose manually; it performs better than Rosetta. 2. **Install and Grant Permissions.** Open the DMG and drag Streamlabs to Applications. On first launch, grant Screen Recording, Microphone, and Camera in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Streamlabs needs all three to capture display and audio for a live stream. 3. **Connect Your Streaming Account.** Run the onboarding wizard and sign in with Twitch, YouTube, or another platform. Streamlabs fills server settings and stream keys. Choose Optimize for streaming or Optimize for recording based on what you do most. ## Pros - Full free Starter desktop app for Mac and Windows built on OBS. - Ultra bundles multistream, themes, and editing apps in one login (Streamlabs ID). - Dual Output helps TikTok/YouTube Shorts + horizontal streaming. - Tip pages without Streamlabs taking a platform cut (processor fees still apply). - Intelligent Streaming Agent adds AI production help with clear tier caps. - Actively maintained under Logitech G with Mac builds for macOS 12+. - Wide platform list: Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Kick, and custom RTMP. - Mobile and Console companion apps for creators beyond the desk. ## Cons - Ultra at $27/mo is expensive versus plain OBS + free plugins. - Heavier resource use than stock OBS on some Macs. - 3D avatar co-host requirements skew Windows/NVIDIA; Mac parity is partial. - Some creators dislike Streamlabs’ monetisation upsells versus OBS purity. - Cloud multistream quality depends on Ultra servers and uplink. - Feature surface can overwhelm beginners who only need a webcam + game capture. - Prime naming is gone, legacy docs may confuse Ultra branding. ## Background: Streamlabs evolution and architecture Streamlabs grew from an OBS fork into a broader creator stack. Before you renew Ultra seats in August 2026, re-check the live download build, confirm Apple Silicon support on macOS Tahoe 26.x, and reread the pricing page (tiers and trials move more often than app-store listings). After each point release, skim release notes and community reports, especially when macOS privacy prompts appear for screen recording or related access. Prefer official DMGs or Homebrew Casks over mirrored installers, keep a short rollback plan, and test rivals on the same weekly workflow before you migrate archives or team billing. ## FAQ ### How much is Streamlabs Ultra in 2026? Official FAQ lists Ultra at $27/month or $189/year. Ultra Plus is a higher tier with more Intelligent Streaming Agent capacity and success calls. ### Is Streamlabs Desktop free on Mac? Yes. Starter includes core streaming/recording. Ultra is optional for multistream, theme libraries, and higher AI limits. ### What happened to Streamlabs Prime? Prime was rebranded to Ultra. Legacy Prime subscribers were converted with billing continuity, per Streamlabs FAQ. ### Does the Intelligent Streaming Agent work on Mac? Producer and voice features ship in the Desktop suite on Mac (macOS 12+). The full 3D avatar co-host path is documented with high-end Windows NVIDIA requirements. Mac users should not expect identical avatar performance. ### Which platforms can I stream to? Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Kick, Patreon, Instagram, X, TikTok-oriented dual output, and custom RTMP destinations are supported depending on product. ### Does Streamlabs take a cut of tips? Streamlabs states it does not take a tip cut; payment processors still charge their fees. ### Streamlabs vs OBS, which should Mac creators pick? Pick OBS for free control and plugins. Pick Streamlabs if you want bundled overlays, tip pages, Dual Output, and you are willing to pay Ultra for multistream. ### What Mac version is required? Streamlabs lists macOS 12+ for Desktop downloads. ## Sources - [Streamlabs FAQ, pricing](https://streamlabs.com/faq) - [Streamlabs Desktop download](https://streamlabs.com/desktop-app) - [Intelligent Streaming Agent](https://streamlabs.com/intelligent-streaming-agent) - [Streamlabs Ultra page](https://streamlabs.com/ultra) - [Streamlabs Review 2026](https://work-management.org/marketing/creators/streamlabs-review/) - [Ultra Trial FAQs](https://support.streamlabs.com/hc/en-us/articles/27582956950939-Streamlabs-Ultra-Trial-FAQs) ## Related - [Kap](https://bundl.run/apps/kap) - [Spotify](https://bundl.run/apps/spotify) - [VLC](https://bundl.run/apps/vlc) - [DaVinci Resolve](https://bundl.run/apps/davinci-resolve) - [OBS Studio](https://bundl.run/apps/obs) - [HandBrake](https://bundl.run/apps/handbrake) - [Streamlabs Desktop vs OBS Studio](https://bundl.run/compare/obs-vs-streamlabs) - [Free alternative to Ecamm Live](https://streamlabs.com/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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