Streaming your video gameplay on Twitch and other sites is increasingly popular. If you have a Mac, you'll know using a Mac can feel difficult for gaming from time to time. However, streaming doesn't have to be hard with the best capture cards for Mac. With more games to play on ever increasing systems like the MacBook Air (M2), you have plenty of variety on offer.
Quick list
Best overall
In pretty much any category of capture card greatness, you'll find the Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card. Luckily, it's also compatible with Mac computers. This card is very simple to set up and is compact, so you don't need a lot of space to have it set up, and you can even bring it along when traveling without it taking up space. Your video can be put directly on YouTube, and Twitch will be 4K/60 FPS.
Most compact
For those with a DSLR camera looking to stream video directly from there, the Elgato Cam Link is an easy way to connect directly and stream off of it up to 4K/30FPS. This USB dongle is easy to connect and bring with you on the go. This is a great way to stream at a higher resolution from a great camera.
Easiest to use
Although most capture cards require the use of a computer, this card lets you do it with or without. If you choose to go without, it saves your video footage on a microSD card with plug-and-play support meaning everything takes seconds. It's simple and high-quality. It streams at 4K/60FPS and supports OBS on Mac. You can also add live commentary or capture party chat if you choose to.
Best for consoles
A quick download of the Genki Arcade app and you are just a USB-C away from streaming to your Mac with the Genki Shadowcast. Use this little device for your Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and even the SNES Mini.
Best for video
While streaming video games is a large reason people are looking for capture cards, there's also the need to transfer old videos to a new system to keep the memories alive. The perfect capture card for photos and videos from NTSC and PAL format and many more is the UCEC Capture Card.
Begin your Mac stream with ease
You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
Video or video games, there are many options for your Mac. The most important thing to consider when buying your capture card is making sure it fits your use. To stream gaming on your Mac, the very best option is Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card. It is compatible with any console, has top-quality video capture just shy of 4K, and you can put your videos on your streaming channel immediately.
For plain video, the Elgato Cam Link takes your DSLR footage and displays it in beautiful 4K. Use it as a high-quality webcam or take video early and edit it before you post.
Q&A
Do I need a capture card for Mac screenshots?
No, you can take those natively using the keyboard shortcut shift+command+3. If you want to record footage to your Mac from another device, like a games console or a video player, you'll need to use a capture card.
