Live streaming is a proven marketing tactic for gaining more followers and customers. It works well for outgoing personalities, but what about shy and introverted marketers? 

Instead of becoming a YouTuber, some opt to be a vTuber. vTubers, or virtual YouTubers, are someone who streams on platforms with an avatar instead of their real self. With the best vtuber software, anyone can remain anonymous and produce engaging content for their followers without feeling camera shy.

vTubing was once a complicated practice as it involved putting together different equipment. For example, you needed motion sensing trackers, high-fidelity video camera, avatar rigging software, and voice modification apps. 

Thankfully, advancement in AI has made vTubing more accessible to the public. Instead of investing in costly equipment, you can use vTuber software to stream on popular platforms almost immediately. 

I have tested and shared everything from the top vtuber platforms so you can choose one to help you grow your online audiences.

  • Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
for Voice mod

Animaze

Full Review

  • Avatar Themes
  • Voice Mod
  • Facial Expression Tracking
for twitch

Live3D

Full Review

  • Great Avatar Customization
  • Twitch Extension
  • Facial Tracking
Virtual Reality

VR Chat

Full Review

  • Large VR Platform
  • Includes Avatars, Props, Worlds
  • Safety Measures

What is the Best vTuber Software?

Here is a breakdown of the top five vTuber companies out there. I did find a few more, but honestly, they didn’t make the cut for your time.

Best vTuber Software

1. Animaze

Editor’s Choice with voice mod

Animaze (formerly known as Facerig) is a popular vTuber software with every possible feature a virtual YouTuber needs. Besides broadcasting to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook Gaming, and other platforms, it allows vTubers to customize 3D avatars with easy-to-use tools. 

With an in-app virtual camera, vTubers can connect and live stream via OBS in just a few clicks. 

After reviewing the platforms, it’s arguably one of the best vTuber broadcasting software I’ve reviewed. The software runs smoothly, with an attention-grabbing 3D avatar laid out against an organized dashboard.

  • You can customize the virtual avatar with unique personalizations. For example, you can change a fish avatar’s tail size and a lion’s ears.
  • Then, add backgrounds, props, and stickers to improve its wow factor.
  • Also, it lets you choose a voice effect for the character. 

If you need advanced features to make vTubing much easier, Animaze offers these:

  • A voice mod integration feature that changes your voice to a selected preset in real-time.
  • Animaze Rooms lets you interact with fellow vTubers without leaving the software.
  • Animations, Stream actions, and Quick Scenes allow you to automate specific actions when streaming. 
  • Advanced facial expression motion capture technology capable of tracking jaw opening, lips puckering, nose wrinkling, and more. 

Animaze Experience

Animaze didn’t disappoint as I navigated the software’s features. Thanks to the step-by-step guide for first-time users, I managed to configure my virtual avatar effortlessly. 

  • The avatar is remarkably intelligent. It mimics my facial expression and movement precisely, although there’s a slight delay. Still, I was impressed that the avatar could fall back to default mode if part of my face were covered. For example, it automatically moves its mouth when I wear a face mask. 
  • I can reposition the Avatar, activate animations, and perform almost any actions with shortcuts on the software.
  • This includes switching between virtual cameras. Animaze provides movement, fly, and chase cameras, which allow you to capture and track the Avatar from different angles. 

Animaze Pros & Cons

  • It has an intuitive interface and provides clear instructions.
  • Animaze has a nice blend of avatar themes, including veggies, animals, humans, and inanimate objects. 
  • It integrates with VoiceMod, a powerful AI software that changes voice in real-time.
  • Animaze provides intelligent facial expression tracking. The avatar defaults to natural movements if it can’t track your facial features.
  • Some avatars have limited animation options.

Pricing

Animaze users can start with the free plan and pay $19.99 monthly to remove watermarks and unlock more features. 

Verdict

Animaze is a powerful software that covers every area of vTubing. It offers state-of-the-art motion sensing, user-friendly tools, and a good range of visually appealing avatars to create virtual videos.

2. Live3D vTuber Maker

Live3D vTuber Maker is one of the best vTuber software for Twitch streamers. It boasts advanced facial tracking technology, which allows the avatar to replicate the streamer’s facial movement in real-time. 

Moreover, users can choose from a rich collection of animated 3D avatars to interact with their audience. It’s important to note, Live3D vTuber Maker runs on Windows. Once launched, the screen shows the default avatar, a miniaturized webcam panel, and a menu at the right. 

You use the menu to choose and customize an avatar and set up the live-streaming workflow. These are basic features that help you to stream right away.

  • Avatar: choose from dozens of animated and fantasy-themed characters. 
  • Interaction tool: connects to Twitch from Live 3D, sets visual effects, animations, and chat alerts.
  • Whiteboard: lets you share screen and presentations with the audience.
  • Virtual Camera: stream the avatar’s visual on Twitch. 

Live 3D vTuber Maker Experience

I downloaded and signed up for a Live 3D account, hoping to learn if it is the ultimate vTuber software as it claimed. 

Once launched, I saw an avatar with a lively and bright backdrop. 

  • The avatar was animated with subtle gestures that hint at advanced AI powering the software. 
  • Then, I tried changing the default avatar with dozens provided. For a free plan, Live 3D was generous with the range of avatars I could use without paying. 
  • I swapped the room with a different theme and dragged the avatar to a comfortable position. 

What impressed me was the precise and responsive facial tracing technology the software uses. 

Live3D vTuber Maker Pros & Cons:

  • It has a wide range of vTubing features and assets. Avatars are designed in detail, and users can style them with colors, props, and behavior with VTuber Editor. 
  • Precise facial tracking. Premium users can track body movement via webcams. It also integrates with controllers from Leap motion, Xsens, and Noitom. 
  • Provides Virtual Twitch extension and effects like hammer, sakura, and glow stick. They help game streamers to earn Bits, a virtual currency on Twitch.  
  • The software is very user-friendly for newbie vTubers. 
  • It doesn’t have a voice changer module like some of the other competition.

Pricing

Live3D vTuber Maker has a free plan, with monthly premium subscriptions starting at $3.90. You’ll get access to advanced features, including hand tracking in the premium plans.

Verdict

Live3D vTuber Maker is a beginner-friendly vTubing software for Twitch streamers. It offers a good range of features, advanced motion tracking, and visually-appealing avatars. 

3. Vroid Studio

Vroid Studio is a free software for creating stunning unique 3D characters. It packs extensive design tools and features that let vTubers add precise touches to the avatar model. 

Then, users export the finished 3D avatar in the supported format and upload them in vTubing broadcasting apps. 

Vroid Studio installs on Windows, Mac, and Steam. You’ll find a minimalist studio canvas with well-organized designer controls when launched. 

  • The top panel lets you choose the avatar’s face, hairstyle, body, outfit, accessories, and look.
  • The left panel provides a list of presets and styles for the selected part.
  • The right panel lets you fine-tune the chosen parameters, such as nose size, width, tip position, and colors. 

Besides creating a unique and mesmerizing 3D avatar, Vroid Studio has a Photobooth. There, you can:

  • Showcase your avatar in different poses, lighting, wind, and expressions.
  • Screenshot the avatar with varying formats of post-processing.

Vroid Studio Experience

Using Vroid Studio is surprisingly straightforward, despite the expansive tools and features available. 

I tested Vroid Studio by creating my own avatar from a base vTuber model. To start, it prompts me to choose a body structure. Then, the software renders an anime-like figure on the canvas.

  • I like how simple editing the vTuber model is. The workflow can be simplified as selecting a body part –> selecting a preset –> fine-tuning. 
  • The hairstyle and outfit galleries caught my attention as they reminded me of my favorite Japanese manga characters.
  • I could also add accessories to the character, but the options are limited.

Finally, I tried showcasing the avatar in the Photobooth to get a glimpse of how the model looks as an animated vTubing character.  

Vroid Studio Pros and Cons

  • It’s free.
  • Vroid Studio is easy to use. You can create full-body avatars and customize them with a broad range of presets.
  • It has advanced tools for avatar creators who want more granular control of their works.
  • You can export the finished avatar as VRM files. The VRM format is supported by many vTuber broadcasting software. 
  • Limited accessories for the avatars

Pricing

Vroid Studio is free; you can use the created avatars freely on any platform.

Verdict

Vroid Studio lets vTubers creates their own virtual character without complex design skills. It comes with intuitive controls and plenty of presets.

4. Restream

Restream is an online software that allows vTubers to broadcast to multiple streaming platforms simultaneously, including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Steam. 

You can connect Restream to OBS and stream to the selected channels with your vTuber avatar. It also consolidates messages from all platforms into a chatbox to simplify communications with followers. 

Restream works from a browser. Upon logging in, it provides you several ways to stream or record from your computer. vTubers can use the Studio or connect Restream to a 3rd party streaming software. At the moment, Restream supports OBS, Zoom, and VMix.

  • You can’t create avatars on Restream in the Studio. However, it lets you add an external RMTP source, such as the OBS. This way, it streams the avatar from the vTubing broadcasting software instead of the web camera. 
  • Alternatively, connect the external vTuber software to Restream by inserting the RMTP URL and Stream Key.

Restream Pros and Cons

  • It supports simultaneous streaming to 30+ channels. Besides, you can upload recorded virtual reality videos and turn them into live streams. 
  • You can reply to text messages from different channels in one chatbox.
  • It’s free for up to two channels, and there’s no limit on the bitrate.
  • Event scheduler and social alerts let your followers know when you go live. 
  • Analytics on Restream is limited to basic metrics. It doesn’t segregate viewers based on the platforms they tuned in from. 

Pricing

Restream is affordable, with paid plans starting from $19 per month. Alternatively, you can try Restream for free. 

Verdict

If your followers are spread across different platforms, Restream’s multiplatform broadcasting helps optimize engagement. 

5. VRChat

VRChat is a virtual world that allows users to partake in an immersive virtual reality experience. Users can participate in the simulated worlds with or without a VR device. 

The VR platform is downloadable on Steam, Quest, Rift, and Viveport. It allows vTubers to create virtual worlds and invite their followers to private events. Then, vTubers can stream the events to Twitch or other platforms. 

VRChat provides first-person and runs on selected gaming platforms. When launched, you start on the homeworld and choose a vTuber avatar that you use to interact with other players.

The premise of VRChat is to visit worlds created by other players or the ones you made. 

  • You’ll need to download the VRChat SDK to create an avatar or VR world. 
  • On VRChat, users can freely choose an avatar and join any public world.

Despite its classic visuals, VRChat bundles in extensive features and configurations essential for vTubers.

  • Avatar: Choose your VRChat virtual character.
  • World: Browse and join the many worlds on VRChat.
  • Socials: This allows you to add friends, manage invite requests, and more.
  • Groups: Create private groups for your followers. 

VR Chat Experience

My experience with VRChat was overwhelming initially. It lacks an in-game guide, with tutorials and a controls list accessible from the settings menu. 

It took me a while to familiarize myself with the gaming environment and navigation. Then, I explored several VR worlds. 

  • The World menu provides different categories and themes of virtual worlds, such as Prison Escape, Midnight Rooftop, and Solar Cabins. Some worlds are well-maintained, while a few seem desolate.
  • When meeting other players, I can add them as friends by selecting the icon on top of their avatars. Then, I can start chatting with them.
  • Once added, they appear on my friend lists along with the world they’re in. 

VRChat Pros and Cons:

  • It’s a stable VR platform with a large user base. 
  • vTubers can create their own vTuber avatar and world with VRChat SDK.
  • There are safety measures in place to protect users from inappropriate content and behaviors.
  • It offers large and growing collections of avatars, props, and worlds, including user-generated ones. 
  • Despite their best effort, some VR worlds may contain NSFW content. 

Pricing

VRChat is free, but signing up for VRChat Plus ($9.99/month) provides access to enhanced features.

Verdict

VRChat is a classic VR platform that helps vTuber engage followers with custom-created VR worlds. You can hold parties, play games, or have casual conversations and stream the events to online platforms.

Try VRChat Here

What is vTuber Software? 

vTuber software is a computer program that lets you broadcast content to audiences with a digitally-created avatar instead of your actual self. It’s almost similar to a video generator but meant for socials and gaming.

The software uses advanced AI technologies to track your movement and replicate them with the avatar. This way, the vTuber avatar will speak, move and deliver facial expressions like the real person behind the screen. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What software do most VTubers use?

vTubers use one or several software to stream with their avatars online. First, they’ll need vTube broadcasting software like Live3D vTuber Maker and Animaze. These software programs let them stream to Twitch, Facebook Gaming, YouTube, and other platforms in real-time. Some may opt for a voice changer, model rigging software, or VR games to enhance their streaming.

What app do VTubers use to make their avatars?

Most vTubing software allows vTubers to choose from a pre-designed avatar. To create their own avatars, they’ll need specialized software such as VRoid Studio, which lets them design virtual characters from scratch. 

What program do VTubers use for face tracking?

Face tracking requires advanced motion sensing technology that works with the webcam input. Only several vTubing software provides precise face tracking, including Animaze and Live3D vTuber Maker.

What is VTuber rigging?

vTuber rigging describes modeling an avatar and synchronizing its voice, facial expression, and movement with a human streamer. Streamers use broadcasting software, avatar creators, voice mod software, and motion tracking software to rig and control the vTubers. 

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