Even if you’re not familiar with the specifics of latency and what it is, chances are, you’ve already experienced it. It’s the awkward lag that causes you to talk over someone during a video call. It’s the crucial half-second between pressing a button on your game controller and not seeing your character respond in time to get the combo.

Latency can become a particularly challenging issue when it comes to screen sharing. Whether you’re trying to share a presentation, collaborate on a video editing project, or stream your favorite video game, latency can be the difference between smooth sailing and a glitchy, confusing mess. 

In this article, we’ll cover the best platforms out there that offer low-latency screen sharing for a variety of applications. 

What is "Latency" and How Does it Work?

Simply defined, "latency" is the time between a user action or input and the resulting response. When we say something is "low-latency," we mean that there is very little time between the user input and the network or program response. 

The length of delay that the viewer sees is dependent on which low latency video streaming protocols and encoding formats are used. CDN buffering, video encoding, bandwidth, connection type, and the player itself can all have an impact on data transmission.

Different Low-Latency Screen Sharing Tools Based on Your Needs

Tools for video editing, audio engineering, or game design program screen sharing

Evercast

Evercast is a remote editing collaboration platform that allows creatives to collaborate in real-time on recording and editing sessions, all while live video chatting. 

Top features

• Ultra-low latency streaming
• Ability to stream editing software workspace with other collaborators
• Built-in video conferencing
• Works on devices with iOS

Type of screen sharing it’s best suited for

Evercast is screen sharing that is perfectly tailored to fit the needs of audio/video editors and game designers who want to replicate the experience of collaborating in the editing room but at a distance. 

Its ultra-low latency streaming (less than 150ms typically) means that collaborators can comment and make notes in real-time, eliminating confusion and allowing creativity to flow effortlessly. 

It also has one of the most coveted forms of video streaming/screen sharing technology in the creative world. It allows live video streaming straight from on-set digital cinema cameras. This allows people on-set and off-set to receive a live camera feed and even video chat while watching the footage. 

So not only can you share the editing screen, you can share the director's monitor with an unlimited number of co-creatives. 

Pricing

Our flagship product for all your real-time collaboration needs starts at $849/month, and custom plans are available.

Tools for gameplay screen sharing

OBS

Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is a free, open-source software platform designed for screen sharing, video recording, and live streaming. It works for a variety of applications but is most loved by video game streamers. 

Top features

• Works on Windows, Mac, or Linux
• Works with most popular streaming platforms (Twitch, YouTube, etc.)
• Allows you to seamlessly switch between multiple video and screen sources

Type of screen sharing it’s best suited for

This open-source software is perfect for screen sharing to live streaming platforms like Twitch and Facebook Live, as well as meeting software like Zoom and Google Meet. 

You can share your screen, your webcam feed, external cameras, and a host of other inputs and broadcast them with relatively low latency to any and all popular streaming and video conferencing platforms. 

Pricing

Free

Streamlabs

The primary use case for this platform is tailored towards Twitch streamers. Streamlabs labels itself an all-in-one video streaming platform and is an excellent solution for gamers looking to share their game feed, webcam, and much more. 

Top features

• Highly customizable
• Works with most popular streaming platforms
• Relatively low-latency screen and video feed sharing

Type of video streaming it’s best suited for

Streamlabs is tailor-made for video game streamers. It not only allows you to share your screen, but it allows for tons of custom overlays and graphics to better engage with your audience.  

Pricing

Free, with paid upgrades available. 

Tools for video conferencing screen sharing

Google Meet

Google Meet is a tool that most people should already be familiar with, and when it comes to basic screen sharing for PowerPoint presentations and documents, it’s a great free option. 

Top features

• Built-in screen sharing option for all participants
• Already included for anyone with a Gmail account
• Ability to share whole screen or single application or tab

Type of screen sharing it’s best suited for

Google Meet is a great basic screen-sharing application for business meetings where you need simple, straightforward screen sharing of largely static documents. 

Latency becomes more of a challenge with video or motion graphics, so if you're looking to share video, we recommend checking out some of the other programs that we've previously mentioned. 

Pricing

Free for basic features. 

BlueJeans Virtual Meetings

Another virtual meeting platform, BlueJeans, offers secure screen sharing to meeting participants and allows for handy features like annotations that allow for effortless note-taking and collaboration in real-time.

Top features

• Built-in screen sharing option for all participants
• Ability to share whole screen or single application or tab
• Accessibility features to keep everyone included

Type of screen sharing it’s best suited for

This is another platform that focuses heavily on meetings where screen sharing is largely limited to web pages, PowerPoint presentations, and documents. With all of these, it does quite well with little to no issues. 

As with Google Meets, if you’re looking to share video or motion graphics while video chatting, you’ll want to check out other platforms such as Evercast. 

Pricing

Subscriptions start at $9.99/mo. 

Screen sharing is a necessary part of reclaiming the collaborative meetings that used to take place in offices and conference rooms for the digital world. Whether you're looking to inform, entertain, or simply stay connected with remote team members, these tools will help you better connect with your team. You'll be able to efficiently share important projects and information crucial to your long-term success as a creative, collaborative team.