The vMix Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about vMix in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
vMix
The Insider’s Guide
Windows live video production and streaming software
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among webinar and live streaming tools, read from vMix’s own pages.
Made by StudioCoast Pty Ltd · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from vMix’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on vMix’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 15 of the 34 other webinar and live streaming tools we grade
vMix is software for producing live video on a Windows computer. It mixes cameras, NDI sources, video files, titles and remote guests, then records the result and streams it to services such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitch. It is sold as lifetime licenses in several editions or as a monthly subscription.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about vMix, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating on record, and it is production software with editions and a learning curve.
- 1
Best for Windows live video production
vMix is Windows software for producing live video, sold as a one-time license from $60.
- 2
Paid plans start at $50 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $60 one-time for Basic HD, or $50 per month for vMix MAX.
- 3
You can try it first
Free, fully functional 60-day trial with no watermark
- 4
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 5
Multi-source switching
Mix cameras, NDI sources, video files, images, PowerPoint, web streams and desktop capture in one production.
- 6
Remote guests with vMix Call
Bring video callers into a production: 1 on Basic HD, 4 on HD and 8 on 4K and above.
- 7
Streaming to several services
Stream to services such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Vimeo while recording the same production.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 15 of 34
That is against the other webinar and live streaming tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace vMix you would be making one live stream sent to several platforms at once. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
vMix at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $60 one-time for Basic HD, or $50 per month for vMix MAX
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free, fully functional 60-day trial with no watermark
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- StudioCoast Pty Ltd
- Category
- Webinars & Live Streaming
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for Windows live video production
vMix is Windows software for producing live video, sold as a one-time license from $60. It runs on Windows only, the cheapest edition handles 4 inputs, and it is a production tool with no registration, polls or attendee chat.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Basic HD is $60 once and HD is $350 once, under a year of the category's $49 middle subscription, though Pro is $1,200. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A 60-day fully working trial with no watermark is offered; there is no free plan. |
| Features | C | Inputs, overlays, replay and calling in a production app, but no registration, polls or attendee chat, and features differ by edition. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record, and it is production software with editions and a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only; the download page says there is no Mac version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who vMix is for
- Fits if you produce live video on a Windows PC
- Makes sense if you want a one-time license over a subscription
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use a Mac, as there is no Mac version
- Not for you if you want a webinar tool with registration and polls
- Tight if you buy Basic HD: 4 inputs and 1080p
- Pricey if you want updates after 12 months: another year costs $60
- Watch out: 4K, replay with more cameras and scripting need $700 to $1,200
Good to know
Good for
- Producers running multi-camera live events and shows from a Windows PC
- Churches, schools and sports broadcasters who want a one-time license
- Webinar hosts who want broadcast-style graphics and replays
Worth knowing
- It runs on Windows only; the download page says there is no Mac version.
- Lifetime licenses include 12 months of updates; further updates cost $60 for another 12 months.
- It is a production tool, not a webinar platform: registration, polls and attendee chat are not part of it.
- Features differ a lot by edition, so check the comparison table before buying the cheapest one.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$50
A month to start
vMix is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $60 one-time for Basic HD, or $50 per month for vMix MAX.
Basic HD
$60
one-time lifetime license, 12 months of free updates
4 inputs (3 camera or NDI), 1920 x 1080 maximum, 1 overlay channel, 1 vMix Call caller.
HD
$350
one-time lifetime license, 12 months of free updates
Up to 1000 inputs, 1920 x 1080 maximum, 8 overlay channels, 4 vMix Call callers.
4K
$700
one-time lifetime license, 12 months of free updates
Adds 4096 x 2160 output, 8 callers, MultiCorder recording and instant replay with 1 camera.
Pro
$1200
one-time lifetime license, 12 months of free updates
Adds instant replay with 8 cameras, extra external and virtual outputs, scripting and PTZ control.
MAX
$50
per month, with updates while subscribed
Subscription with all the features of vMix Pro.
Trying it first
Free, fully functional 60-day trial with no watermark
Read from vmix.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Windows live video production and streaming software. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, screen recording, video calls, multistreaming.
Inputs, overlays, replay and calling in a production app, but no registration, polls or attendee chat, and features differ by edition.
- Multi-source switching
- Mix cameras, NDI sources, video files, images, PowerPoint, web streams and desktop capture in one production.
- Remote guests with vMix Call
- Bring video callers into a production: 1 on Basic HD, 4 on HD and 8 on 4K and above.
- Streaming to several services
- Stream to services such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Vimeo while recording the same production.
- Titles and graphics
- GT Designer provides animated titles, scoreboards and tickers, and higher editions import custom designs.
- Recording and replay
- The 4K and Pro editions add MultiCorder ISO recording of each camera, and instant replay for sports and events.
- Zoom integration
- The comparison table lists Zoom integration, with one input on Basic HD and multiple inputs on higher editions.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Vimeo
- Zoom
- NDI
- SRT
- Blackmagic Design
vMix is made by StudioCoast Pty Ltd.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
15/34
Other webinar and live streaming tools it is graded above
vMix's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 15 of the 34 other webinar and live streaming tools we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 32 of 34) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $50 a month, against a middle price of $50 for the category: 14 of the 28 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. 13 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 35 webinar and live streaming tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. vMix’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 32 of 34
- CFree plan and trialAbove 12 of 34
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 34
- CEase of useAbove 3 of 34
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 34
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 30 webinar and live streaming tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. vMix is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace vMix you would be making one live stream sent to several platforms at once. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $600 a year.
What you could not
- One live stream sent to several platforms at once.
- Video calls.
- Recording the screen with its sound, and somewhere to keep the video.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, YouTube, Facebook and Twitch among them.
What this rests on. vMix’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Restream, Streamlabs, Ecamm, Castr and Switcher Studio
The 5 tools vMix is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Restream
Free plan · from $19/mo
Multistream one live video to YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn and more.
- Restream has a free plan. vMix does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only vMix lists a Windows app.
- Only Restream lists a web app.
- 2.6GPA
Streamlabs
Free plan · from $27/mo
Live streaming apps, overlays and tools for creators.
- Streamlabs has a free plan. vMix does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Streamlabs lists a web app.
- Only Streamlabs lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- 2.0GPA
Ecamm
Free trial · from $16/mo
Mac app for live streaming, recording and multistreaming.
- Only vMix lists a Windows app.
- Only Ecamm lists a macOS app.
- vMix can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Castr
Free trial · from $16.67/mo
Multistreaming, video hosting and 24/7 playout in one service.
- Only vMix lists a Windows app.
- Only Castr lists a web app.
- vMix can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 1.8GPA
Switcher Studio
Free trial · from $45/mo
Multicamera live streaming from iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Only vMix lists a Windows app.
- Only Switcher Studio lists macOS and iOS apps.
- vMix can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is vMix free?
No, vMix is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free, fully functional 60-day trial with no watermark.
How much does vMix cost?
vMix lists 5 plans. Basic HD: $60 one-time lifetime license, 12 months of free updates.
What platforms does vMix work on?
vMix is available on Windows.
Does vMix have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. vMix is listed for Windows.
Does vMix have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. vMix is listed for Windows.
Is vMix open source?
vMix is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
What does vMix integrate with?
vMix's listing names YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Vimeo, Zoom, NDI, SRT and Blackmagic Design.
Who makes vMix?
vMix is made by StudioCoast Pty Ltd.
What are the alternatives to vMix?
The closest alternatives to vMix in our directory are Restream, Streamlabs, Ecamm, Castr and Switcher Studio.
How does vMix compare with other webinar and live streaming tools?
vMix's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 15 of the 34 other webinar and live streaming tools we grade, and level with 8.
Is vMix good value for money?
ToolGPA grades vMix A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $50 a month, against a middle price of $50 for the category: 14 of the 28 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of vMix?
To replace vMix you would be making one live stream sent to several platforms at once.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from vMix’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from vMix's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by StudioCoast Pty Ltd. Prices change, so check vmix.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- vMix, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/vmix
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "vMix: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/vmix
Know someone choosing between webinar and live streaming tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/vmix/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded webinar and live streaming tools after vMix, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Webinars & Live Streaming Insider's GuideEvery one of the 35 webinar and live streaming tools we grade, compared
- Lightstream Insider's GuideBrowser-based live streaming studio, built for console streamers2.8 GPA
- ClickMeeting Insider's GuideWebinars and online meetings with paid events and automation2.6 GPA
- Streamlabs Insider's GuideLive streaming apps, overlays and tools for creators2.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what vMix’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. vMix is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by StudioCoast Pty Ltd. Prices and plans change: check vmix.com before you buy.