Webcamoid

Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What Webcamoid is

Webcamoid is a free, cross-platform camera suite for capturing photos and videos. It can manage multiple webcams with customizable controls and provides more than 60 effects for video and snapshots. Capture sources include local files and custom network streams. Desktop capture can record the screen, including individual windows, and the software can stream to Twitch, YouTube, Kick, and other destinations, including multiple destinations at once. Local Streaming sends video and audio over HTTP to a browser or player on the local network without drivers. A virtual camera can provide enhanced video to other programs on GNU/Linux and Windows, but that feature is unavailable on Android and Mac. Webcamoid is listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows and is translated into 68 languages. It is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later, with a listed plan of $0. The project directs bug reports to its issue tracker and mentions paid issue bounties.

Who it suits

Webcamoid may suit people who want webcam controls, video effects, screen capture, or streaming destinations in a free camera suite. Its virtual camera feature is relevant to GNU/Linux and Windows users, but not Android or Mac users.

What it does well

Free software under GPL version 3 or later
Offers more than 60 effects
Can stream to multiple destinations at once
Translated into 68 languages

What to know first

Virtual camera is unavailable on Android and Mac
Bug reports are directed to the issue tracker

Limits

The virtual camera is available on GNU/Linux and Windows, but not Android or Mac. Precompiled packages are offered for GNU/Linux, Windows, and Android; Mac users are asked to consider donating toward development hardware.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Webcamoid	Free and open source · GPL-3.0 or later	Free
Free/open-source Webcamoid	GPL-3.0-or-later source distribution · precompiled GNU/Linux, Windows and Android packages	Free
Webcamoid 9.3.0 APK	one-time purchase · Android 7.0+ · Android TV optimized	$1.99, paid once

As webcamoid.github.io lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Webcamoid website.
Choose a platform: Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows.
For GNU/Linux, Windows, or Android, use the offered precompiled packages.
Use the camera suite to choose webcams, local files, or custom network streams as capture sources.
Report bugs through the issue tracker if needed.

Verdict

Webcamoid covers webcam capture, effects, screen recording, and streaming across several platforms at no listed cost. Its virtual camera support is limited to GNU/Linux and Windows.

Questions

How much does Webcamoid cost?

The listed plan is free.

Is Webcamoid open source?

Yes. It is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or, at the user's option, any later version.

Which platforms are listed?

Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows are listed. Precompiled packages are offered for GNU/Linux, Windows, and Android.

Does Webcamoid offer a free trial?

No. The listed free trial status is no.

Can it use a virtual camera?

Yes, on GNU/Linux and Windows. The virtual camera is unavailable on Android and Mac.

How can users report bugs?

Users are directed to the issue tracker. Paid issue bounties are also mentioned as an option for faster fixes or feature work.

Facts from Webcamoid's own pages

Android build requirements: Android builds require OpenJDK 8, Android SDK command-line tools, NDK r22b or newer and Android platform 24 or newer. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
API mention: Release notes mention fixes for communication with the virtual-camera API library and a standardized video-recording API. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Build requirements: The 9.3.0 build notes require Qt 5.15 or newer and CMake 3.16 or newer. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Capture sources: Capture sources include custom network streams and local files. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Changelog 9.3.0: Version 9.3.0 added SIMD and OpenMP optimizations, Android TV support, PipeWire audio, UI color schemes and a help menu. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Changelog 9.4.0: Version 9.4.0 added Twitch, YouTube and Kick streaming, local streaming, OpenGL effect porting and a reworked audio layer. · webcamoid.github.io, 15 Oct 2026
Desktop capture: Desktop capture supports recording screens and individual windows. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Documentation: The project wiki contains user guides, installation instructions, troubleshooting, source-build guides, cross-compilation pages and developer conventions. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Downloads: Precompiled packages are offered for GNU/Linux, Windows, and Android; Mac users are asked to consider donating toward development hardware. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Effects: It offers more than 60 effects for videos and snapshots. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Extensibility: The wiki documents customizable plugins and the repository describes a redesigned expandable plugin system. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Independent packaging: FreeBSD's FreshPorts lists Webcamoid 9.4.0 as a GPLv3 multimedia port with a webcamoid(1) manual page. · freshports.org, 15 Oct 2026
Languages: The project states that its interface is translated into 68 languages. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Latest release: The official site identifies version 9.4.0 as the latest release. · webcamoid.github.io, 15 Oct 2026
License: Webcamoid is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3 or any later version, without warranty. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: Android recording: A verified Payhip buyer reported recordings that sometimes became zero-length or unplayable and settings controls hidden under the notification bar in portrait mode. · payhip.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: Flatpak and CPU: Linux Mint reviewers reported that the Flatpak would not launch and that the system package continued consuming significant CPU after closing. · community.linuxmint.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: image quality: SaaSHub reports mixed image-quality feedback, including requests for clearer images in detailed or low-light scenes. · saashub.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: integration: SaaSHub reports user difficulties integrating Webcamoid with other applications, including inability to provide a MediaStream object in a Tauri/macOS setup. · saashub.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: Mac binaries: The project says precompiled Mac binaries are restricted to sponsors because the maintainer lacks hardware to test them. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: updates and pricing: A Linux Mint reviewer said an upgrade prompt implied payment for version 9 and described the cost as under $5. · community.linuxmint.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: virtual-camera versatility: SaaSHub notes that users seeking multiple virtual-camera channels find Webcamoid more limited than OBS Virtual Camera. · saashub.com, 15 Oct 2026
Local streaming: Local Streaming sends video and audio over HTTP to browsers or media players on the local network. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Multiple cameras: The software can manage multiple webcams and provides per-camera controls. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026

Where Webcamoid stands on Freedom251

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Webcam Software#2 of 41