The Best VTuber Software

VTubing has quickly become a big deal in live streaming and online content in general, offering a fun way for creators to connect with their audience using virtual characters. Contrary to popular belief, diving into the VTubing world doesn't have to be expensive or require advanced technical skills.

2D VTuber Software

Live2D Cubism

For those diving into the world of 2D VTubing, Live2D sets the gold standard for character rigging and animation. This software breathes life into your 2D art, allowing for the creation of virtual avatars with movements and expressions that mirror real-life physics. With Live2D, you start with your own illustrations, then use its robust set of tools to rig and animate them and then export your finished model into face tracking software such as VTube Studio.

Live2D is continually evolving, with updates that include the latest in animation technology, ensuring you have access to cutting-edge tools. For those just starting, Live2D's 42-day free trial of the Pro version is an excellent opportunity to explore the software's full capabilities. With a wealth of online tutorials and a supportive community, beginners can quickly get up to speed and start bringing their 2D characters to life.

Pros:

• Layered Animation: Enables detailed control over individual parts of an illustration for precise animations.

• Dynamic Expressions: Supports the creation of nuanced facial and body animations for more lifelike character interactions.

• Accessibility for Beginners: The free version introduces users to basic features, suitable for learning the fundamentals of the tool.

• Platform Compatibility: Available on both MacOS and Windows.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Newcomers might find the array of features daunting at first. However, the investment in learning pays off with the quality of animation you can achieve.

• System Demands: To get the most out of Live2D, you'll need a relatively good computer setup, especially for more complex projects.

• Free Version Limits: While the free plan is a solid starting point, advancing in your VTuber rigging journey might require an upgrade to unlock the full suite of features.

Inochi2D

Inochi2D is a free, open-source platform designed for creating and animating 2D VTuber avatars. It enables real-time puppet animation, allowing characters to be animated live for streaming or pre-recorded content. The software includes Inochi Creator for avatar rigging and Inochi Session for live performance, supporting various motion capture technologies for dynamic avatar interaction.

While Live2D is the industry standard with advanced features for professional use, Inochi2D positions itself as a viable alternative for those seeking free, open-source software. It stands out for its internal real-time face tracking capabilities and community-driven development. However, Live2D's maturity and extensive feature set cater to a broader range of professional needs, whereas Inochi2D's beta status, lack of detailed documentation and learning curve reflect its newer entry into the space.

Pros:

• It’s Free: Being open-source, Inochi2D is completely free, making it accessible to everyone from hobbyists to professional creators.

• Community-Driven: Offers strong community support through platforms like Discord and Github

• Real-Time Animation: Allows for live animation of avatars, enhancing interaction during streams or recordings.

Cons:

• Development Stage: Currently in beta, which might introduce bugs or incomplete features, affecting user experience.

• Learning Curve: Requires time to learn, especially for those new to rigging and animation.

• Resource Requirements: Similar to Live2D, complex animations in Inochi2D demand a decent computer setup.

VTube Studio

VTube Studio is specifically designed for live streamers and content creators looking to animate their 2D avatars in real-time. VTube Studio is specifically designed for live streamers and content creators looking to animate their 2D avatars in real-time. Unlike other tools that focus on the rigging and creation process, VTube Studio excels in bringing avatars to life during live streams or video recordings. Its face-tracking technology captures a wide range of expressions and movements, translating them onto your virtual avatar seamlessly.

Available for free on Steam and other platforms, VTube Studio allows users to start without initial costs, making it highly accessible for creators at all levels. For those looking to enhance their experience, the software offers a DLC for a nominal fee of $15, which removes the watermark. Moreover, VTube Studio caters to a wide audience by supporting multiple platforms, including iPhone/iPad, Android, macOS, and Windows. This cross-compatibility ensures that you can broadcast your content across various devices.

Pros:

• Real-Time Performance: Tailored for live streaming, offering real-time facial expression and motion capture to animate avatars during live sessions.

• Accessibility: Free access via Steam, with additional features available through paid DLC to enhance the streaming experience.

• Comprehensive Toolset: Includes features such as animated props, microphone lip-sync, expressions, and hotkeys.

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports a wide range of devices, ensuring creators can broadcast across iPhone/iPad, Android, macOS, and Windows.

• Community and Support: Backed by a strong Discord community, facilitating a space for support and tips.

Cons:

• Model Support: Mainly supports 2D avatars and does not natively support VRoid and VRM models, which might limit options for users with pre-existing 3D models.

• Performance Variability: Mobile users, particularly on Android, may experience differences in performance, with certain devices not fully supported.

PrprLive

PrprLive, just like VTube Studio, focuses on real-time 2D avatar animation with a lean towards performance efficiency and viewer interaction. It stands out by offering high-frame-rate animations and unique features like advanced ligthing, multi-expression switching and gift drops interaction, enhancing live broadcasts without heavy CPU load. Available on Steam, PrprLive is accessible for free, with additional features unlocked via purchasable content, aiming to provide a comprehensive broadcasting tool across various platforms.

While VTube Studio excels in real-time facial tracking and broad device support, PrprLive distinguishes itself with its focus on interactive live stream features and system efficiency, catering to users prioritizing broadcast interactivity and software performance.

Pros:

• Efficient performance with low CPU usage.

• Interactive features for engaging broadcasts.

• Free base software with optional premium content.

Cons:

• A bit too complex for beginners.

• Limited platform support.

3D VTuber Software

Live3D

Live3D works as a comprehensive 3D VTuber software solution. It goes beyond just avatar creation, enabling animations without motion capture hardware and offering an array of customizable poses. 

All editing, motion tracking, and streaming features can be found in the free version. However, it is limited in the number of avatars, backgrounds, poses, and overlays. The paid subscription starting at $3.90 per month opens up the full range of capabilities of Live3D as VTuber Maker, VTuber Editor, Vtuber Gallery, and Virtual Effects Twitch Extension to make it the perfect all-in-one choice to create your dream 3D Vtuber come to life.

Pros:

• Comprehensive 3D VTubing toolkit.

• Free version available; affordable premium options.

• Wide range of customizable features.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve.

• Motion tracking is limited to head movements in the Free version.

VRoid Studio

VRoid Studio revolutionized 3D content creation for virtual live streaming. The software is available on Steam, for Windows or macOS, and it's entirely free, which is almost unbelievable if you look at its functionality range. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and comes with sample avatars, although you can start from scratch. Your proficiency and dedication determine the pace – you can create a basic model in mere minutes or an intricately detailed masterpiece in a few days. If you are new to 3D design, your initial model may not be flawless. However, as with any skill, practice makes perfect, so your imagination will eventually become the only limit in VRoid Studio.  

Pros:

• Completely free

• Intuitive interface

• Variety of sample avatars

• Extensive customization options

Cons:

• Initial setup complexity

• High CPU usage with complex models

VSeeFace

VSeeFace tracks your face and hand movements to turn you into a 3D avatar for free. You can sync it with mobile apps like iFacialMocap, FaceMotion3D, VTubeStudio, or MeowFace, and it's free for non-commercial usage. VSeeFace is still in beta, which means there might be minor bugs with every other version, so it's a good idea to keep the old ones at hand. The good news is that you can find dozens of tutorials about any potential issue because VSeeFace is popular among Vtubers to the point where they want to share their knowledge in guides and teach others what VSeeFace is all about. 

VSeeFace supports VRM 3D avatar formats, so it's comfortable to use with any avatar created in Blender, Vroid Studio, or Unity. A decent webcam is enough to track your head movements, but you'll need a leap motion device for hand tracking. 

Pros:

• Free

• Highly configurable

• Active community

• Advanced eye tracking

Cons:

• Runs only on Windows (64-bit only)

• Still in Beta

• Doesn't provide special support for RealSence cameras

LuppetX

The Japanese software LuppetX was created with the notion of enhanced comfort and intuitive interface combined with the greatest possible results, even in the smallest details. It successfully combines webcam tracking and leap motion and has loads of features associated with top-tier VTuber software, like a deep character editor and handy shortcuts. LuppetX developers kept the concept and functions of the previous version and took it to another level! In X, based on Luppet, they enhanced memory usage and GPU load, widened accessories support, webcam calibration settings, and motion tracking functions. 

To have full access to LuppetX capabilities and remove the watermark, you need to purchase their one-off personal license that costs ¥6600, which is about $45 in equivalent. Fortunately, LuppetX has a trial, so you can download and try it out beforehand.

Pros:

• Rich movement abilities

• Detailed instructions and FAQ

• Easy-to-use

• VRM compatible

• Accurate and smooth motion tracking

• The cleanest textures of hair and clothes

Cons:

• Only available in Japanese, so you may need a few tutorials to figure everything out

• Requires practice to be used to the full potential

• Only for Windows users

Wrapping it up

Vtubing is here to stay, and diving into its world has never been more accessible, thanks to the myriad of Vtuber software options available. As we've explored, these software solutions offer a diverse range of features that cater to newcomers and experienced content creators alike. Whether you're seeking to establish a presence on streaming platforms or simply wish to explore the creative possibilities of virtual character interaction, the right Vtuber tool can be the cornerstone of your journey, and now you're prepared to find the best one for your needs!