Are you looking for the best webcam software to install on your laptop or desktop? With the whole world under lockdown due to COVID-19, working from home has become the new normal for most of us. Or perhaps you just want to remain connected to your loved ones while practising social distancing. Maybe you are wondering why we need to install webcam software when there already is a perfectly working webcam built-in to our computers.
The front camera on your laptops can be used for a lot more than just video chatting. By pairing it with a good webcam software, you can use your webcam to capture wide-angle selfies or videos with your friends and family and also use it for surveillance purposes. Let’s be honest here. The front camera on our computers doesn’t capture our best self. So if you want some fancy effects to your video feed, installing a webcam software will work wonders.
Now the question is which webcam software do I install? With such a wide variety of webcam software on the internet, choosing the best one can be a daunting ask. Below, we have shortlisted 5 of the best virtual cameras in 2020 that have something unique to offer for everyone. Based on your personal preference, the choice of getting the right program lies entirely with you.
ManyCam
One of the most recognized webcam software on our list, ManyCam is more than just a webcam app. It is a full-fledged video editing tool, thanks to the abundance of filters and effects it has on offer. Whether you are live streaming on Twitch or making a YouTube video, you can take the experience to a whole new level with face masks, emoticons and background filters. Other than this, ManyCam also offers YouTube integration, Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode and green screen among several other things.
When recording your videos, you can use different resolutions such as 240p, 480p, HD, FullHD. Also, it supports several different formats, including MP4, MKV and FLV. It also features a noise suppression feature that will work wonderfully in blocking out your background noise. So if you want to make video tutorials or just a live stream for your audience, ManyCam is one of the best webcam software that you can get.
Key Features:
- Supports a 4K (FullHD) display
- Offers a plethora of features
- Allows direct streaming on Upstream, Twitch and YouTube
- The pro version is quite affordable
- No watermark on both the free and pro version
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Price: Free/ Pro version starting from $24
Supported File Formats: MP4, MKV, FLV, MJPEG, H.264 IP, AVI, MPEG, MOV
Website: ManyCam 30% Off Offer – Avail Now
CyberLink YouCam 9
One of the oldest names in the world of webcams, Cyberlink launched the Cyberlink YouCam 9 which is very popular with streamers, YouTubers and vloggers. You can use this webcam software for several tasks, including capturing high-quality images and videos, surveillance and applying filters. You can get either the Deluxe or the standard version. Priced a little more, the Deluxe version offers premium features such as dual-camera support and beauty enhancing tools also.
With Cyberlink YouCam 9, you can add several unique features to your webcam captures such as face distortion lenses, funny effects, emoticons, scene filters and impressive frames. Also, you can edit your videos with a vast array of beautification tools. Also, you can sync the software to your Skype and Yahoo Messenger. Not only can it support different file formats, but it can also display your files in a resolution ranging from 240p to Full HD.
Key Features:
- Supports a 4K (FullHD) display
- Offers many animated emojis
- Allows video conferencing services
- Provides face beautifying effects
- Real-time camera effects such as skin smoothing
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Vista SP2
Price: Free 30-day Trial period/ Paid to start at $34.99
Supported File Formats: MP4, AVI, WMV, JPG, BMP, PNG
Website: Cyberlink YouCam 9
Bandicam
Speaking of the best virtual webcams in 2020, we are bound to mention Bandicam. Arguably one of the best webcam software for YouTube, Bandicam will let you record on several devices, including your smartphone, Playstation and Xbox. With a variety of supported graphics cards, you can capture videos and games without having to compromise on the quality at all.
You can easily upload the recorded videos on YouTube and save them in different formats such as AVI, MP and WAV. For all the Netflix fans, Bandicam will let you record all your favourite live-streamed videos for a non-stop 2 hours. Additionally, you can merge different video files and also remove unwanted screen time. Also, you can use different tools for editing your videos like real-time drawing, chroma key and webcam overlay.
Key Features:
- Able to record 2D/3D videos in HD display
- Very easy-to-use
- Able to capture videos in Full HD nonstop for 24hours
- Compatible with an array of various devices
- Supports graphic cards, including Nvidia NVENC H264 and Nvidia NVENC HEVC (H.265)
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Price: Free/Paid with one-time payment starting with $39
Supported File Formats: MP4, AVI, JPEG, TIF, GIF, PNG
Website: Bandicam
Yawcam
Written completely in Java, Yawcam is one of the best virtual webcams in 2020 that is entirely free of cost. Although the software is free of any fancy effects, it makes up for it in clean capture of images and videos. However, Yawcam is not entirely without any features, as it does offer a few key features such as image-to-movie converter and text/image overlay. Even when you are offline, Yawcam will display a picture of your choice to your online audience.
Additionally, the software is compatible with surveillance cameras and will detect the slightest activity with its motion detector feature. You will be sent an email regarding the activity and it can even take snapshots as well.
You can use Yawcam for streaming on various platforms like YouTube and Twitch. All your data will be saved in formats like PNG, JPG and JavaScript.
Key Features:
- Completely free of cost
- Very easy-to-use
- No watermark
- Highly-sensitive motion detection mode
- Password-protected
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Price: Free
Supported File Formats: PNG, JPG, MJPEG, GIF, JavaScript
Website: Yawcam
Webcam Toy
If you believe downloading a third-party software is too much of a hassle, Webcam Toy is the best webcam software for you. If you want to interact with your friends and family in a fun way while being on a video call, Webcam Toy offers plenty of impressive distortion effects and filters for your selfies. The best feature about Webcam Toy is that it is very easy to use.
All that it takes to set it up is to visit the Webcam Toy website, click that large pink box which says Ready Smile’, and then press the camera. You can choose from 5 presets, including Mirror, Square, Countdown, Flash and Fullscreen. Then go ahead and choose from the several effects available. All that you are left to do is share your best selfie to Twitter and Facebook or simply save the images in JPG format.
Key Features:
- One of the best casual and fun ways to interact with friends
- Very easy-to-use features
- Completely free of cost
- Downloading a third-party software is not needed
- Plenty of cool effects for selfies
Operating Systems: Web
Price: Free
Supported File Formats: JPG
Website: Webcam Toy
Ending Thoughts
All the above-listed webcam software have unique features and are some of the best-reviewed ones. It is up to you to decide which webcam software is most compatible with your needs. Whether you can afford to spend some bucks on a webcam software or have a tight budget, the above paid and free virtual webcams are some of the best ones to choose from in 2020.