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Webcams are one of the few and most important ways we stay connected to the rest of the world from the safety and comfort of our own homes. Almost every laptop comes equipped with a webcam, and a separate add-on webcam is a must-have peripheral for desktop computers. However not all the computers and laptops have decent webcam software preinstalled.
Most webcams only offer the ability to record videos. In order to add overlays and special effects, or simply adjust the colour balance and lighting so that the video looks good, a webcam software is a must-have.
Below you will find the review of the best webcam software we managed to find.
1. Icecream Screen Recorder – webcam software with advanced features
If you want a basic webcam software to record your webcam footage, Icecream Screen Recorder is a great choice. This is primarily a screen recorder and using this tool you can record your desktop to make presentations, tutorials, explainer videos, troubleshooting, or even game recordings. You can add webcam recording to each of the listed videos.
You can fast launch and hide webcamera window using the hotkeys. Select the webcam window location on your screen and size for the best results.
Another excellent feature of this free webcam software is the ability to record directly from your webcam: either a built-in webcam in your laptop, or an external laptop connected to your device. Double click the webcam window to open it fully within the selected recording area. As with other Icecream Apps programs, it is free to use, and also has some useful video editing tools.
OS: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista
Licensing: Shareware, PRO version $29.99 (one-time payment)
Our Rating: 10 / 10
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2. Cyberlink YouCam 9 – webcam software for Windows 10, 8, 7
Cyberlink’s YouCam 9 is the latest edition of their YouCam webcam software, aimed at both business professionals and hobbyist content creators. YouCam 9 webcam app lets you record the video stream from your webcam and add various enhancements and special effects.
YouCam 9 camera software can be integrated into various video calling and online conferencing platforms such as Skype and Zoom, as well as streaming platforms such as Twitch, Youtube Live and Facebook. It can also record video and audio directly, so home content creators or vloggers will get full mileage out of it.
Whether you’re recording, conferencing or live streaming, YouCam 9 webcam software has a full array of video filters and effects. Late for a meeting and didn’t have time for coffee yet? Don’t worry – let YouCam 9’s skin smoothing and virtual makeup tools handle your appearance! Looking to spice up your stream? Try streaming while looking like an alien! A huge range of customizable filters and options are available in this webcam recording software for all kind of purposes, from professional to filmography and entertainment. Use an iMovie or iMovie Windows alternative to edit your videos after the creation.
OS: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7
Licensing: Shareware, PRO version $49.99
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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3. Debut Video Capture – webcam software and screen recorder
Debut Video Capture is a webcam software that targets power users. However, it is by no means inaccessible to normal users. This webcam recorder is simply so packed with features that you will have to take some time to learn the ins and outs of Debut.
NCH Software offers a commercial license for Debut Video Capture, priced at $60. However, the Home Edition, for personal use, is completely free. The Home edition of this webcam video recorder supports video capture in most common formats such as .avi, .mp4, .flv, .wmv and more. Debut can capture a video from not just webcams, but other sources such as a networked camera or even a VHS recorder (if you’re old fashioned)! It can also do screen capture, recording your entire screen, a specific window or even a specific section of a window. We have a review of the best screen recorders for Windows 10, why don’t you take a look!
Debut Video Capture webcam software can add colour adjustments, replace backgrounds and green screens, record audio and video from multiple sources separately, add captions, logos, watermarks and timestamps, and more!
OS: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP MacOS 10.5 and above
Licensing: Shareware, PRO version $60
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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4. Yawcam – Yet another Webcam Software – webcam software for any Windows OS
Yawcam is definitely not the flashiest or most sophisticated free webcam software out there. Other than the cheeky name, its claim to fame stems from minimalism. Yawcam is the lightest and most barebone Webcam software out there, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Instead of showing all the options in one window, Yawcam free webcam recorder has multiple separate windows for various menus and options,. This way, you can view only the information you need. Yawcam has all the normal video recording and uploading options. It has some basic special effects such as motion detection, text and image overlays and time-lapse movies. It also has some features that will be useful for streamers in particular, such as a built-in web server, automated announcements and schedulers.
Most modern and best webcam software have fairly high spec requirements. Find our guide on how to check computer specs on Icecream Tech Digest. That means older computers might have trouble running the programs smoothly. By contrast, the performance impact of Yawcam is minimal. It has an extremely small footprint and will run smoothly on even a 20-year-old PC.
OS: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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5. Logitech Capture – Logitech native webcam software
Logitech is one of the most well-known computer peripheral brands. Although most people know them for their gaming equipment, Logitech also produces some excellent webcams such as the StreamCam Series, C92 Pro Series and the Brio 4K cameras. If you’re using one of the supported webcams, Logitech Capture is an excellent webcam software.
It has a slick modern interface with plenty of special effects such as makeup filters, transitions and border overlays. Using Logitech Capture camera app, it is possible to simultaneously record from multiple sources. So, you could, for example, record yourself and your desktop screen at the same time – extremely useful for making guides or giving presentations. Logitech Capture also supports multiple colour profiles, which is extremely useful. It’s possible to switch from a colour profile for natural daylight to a different colour profile for late night recording with one click.
Logitech Capture webcam software for Windows 10 can also directly broadcast to platforms such as Youtube, Twitch or Facebook. Check our guide on how to download YouTube videos is you wish not only upload the content to YouTube but save it as well. Another nifty feature in this software that you won’t find in others is vertical recording. Recording in a 9:16 format is a great idea for grabbing the mobile audience.
OS: Windows 10, macOS 10.14, 10.15, 11
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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6. Windows Camera – webcam software by Microsoft
Preinstalled software gets a bad rep. While most of them are not as good as alternative software you can download for free, Windows Camera is actually quite handy. This webcam software for Windows 10 supports all webcams up to 4k resolution and has some useful basic features such as a timer and grid for taking photos, screen capture and even a scanner mode for taking pictures of documents.
Windows Camera also offers video stabilization, panorama photos and HDR capture. Switching to the ‘Pro Mode’ will let you adjust image quality further by changing exposure, colour balance, ISO, etc.
While these are all very basic features, keep in mind that Windows Camera is included in every single Windows 10 PC. Free cam software will work seamlessly with almost all webcams. If you don’t have time to install and learn how to use another app, Windows Camera can do the job perfectly!
OS: Windows 10
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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You can sure select the best webcam software to suit your needs from our list. If you’re on an older Windows OS or your computer is not powerful enough, go with Yawcam. If you don’t want to install any extra webcam software then Windows Camera is your choice. If you own a Logitech webcam then native Logitech software is the best. If you’re looking for some advanced option then you can pick the remaining options from our list. If you wish to record sound of your webcam only, have a look at our review of the best audio recorders we previously shared on our blog.