Editorial note: This is an independent comparison. Details below need to be verified against each app's current version before publishing — pricing and platform support change often. Tell us which competitors to include and we'll complete the table with checked facts.
Several apps can turn a smartphone into a webcam, and the right one depends on your platform, budget, and whether you need a wired option. Here's the shape of the comparison.
| App | Price | Platforms | Connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iriun | Free | Win / Mac / Linux / iOS / Android | Wi-Fi + USB | Simple free setup across platforms |
| [Competitor A] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] |
| [Competitor B] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] |
| [Competitor C] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] | [verify] |
How to choose
If you want a free option that works across Windows, Mac and Linux with both Wi-Fi and USB, Iriun is a strong default. If you need a specific feature — say, the highest possible resolution, a particular OS, or guaranteed low latency over USB — weigh that against what each tool offers and any paid tiers involved.
Why people pick Iriun
The recurring reasons are that it's free, it doesn't require an account, it supports all the major platforms, and it shows up as a standard camera so it "just works" in OBS, Zoom, Teams and Meet.