What VTuber App Do VTubers use in 2025
What VTuber App Do VTubers use in 2025
Dreaming of entering the world of VTubing but don't know where to start? Good news: you can become a 2D VTuber for free using the popular and beginner-friendly VTube Studio. This guide, based on the essential 101, will walk you through everything you need to know to get started in 2025.
VTube Studio: The All-in-One 2D VTubing App
VTube Studio is the go-to app for aspiring 2D VTubers because it’s simple, powerful, and free to get started with. It's available on Steam for PC/Mac, as well as on iOS and Android. This cross-platform availability gives you the flexibility to use a high-end camera for tracking on your phone while running the main application on your PC.
Step 1: Download the App and Try the Free Models
For your first taste of VTubing, simply download VTube Studio on your phone. The app comes pre-installed with several 2D models that are ready for use. With these models, you can:
- Immediately start tracking your face using your phone's camera.
- See how your movements translate to an avatar in real time.
- Experiment with built-in accessories, hotkeys, and animations to get a feel for the app.
Step 2: Connect Your Phone to Your PC (The Pro Setup)
While mobile-only VTubing is great for testing, most serious streamers use their phone for superior facial tracking while running the main VTube Studio program on their PC. This setup is a game-changer for performance and stability.
To set it up:
- Open VTube Studio on both devices. Make sure your phone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Access connection settings on your PC. Go to the gear icon and click "Show IP List" to get your PC's IP address and port number.
- Find the server on your phone. Open the settings on the mobile app and either enter your PC's IP and port manually or tap "Find Server."
- Click "Connect" on your phone. The connection status bubble should turn green, indicating a successful link. You can now use your phone's camera for high-quality face tracking that drives your avatar on your PC.
Step 3: Customize Your Avatar's Parameters
Once your avatar is moving, you'll need to fine-tune the tracking to match your unique facial expressions.
- Default vs. Manual Settings: VTube Studio comes with default parameters that work with most Live2D models, but every face is different.
- Calibration: Use the settings menu to adjust parameters like mouth opening, eyebrow movement, and smiling sensitivity.
- Screenshot Your Settings: When you make changes, take a screenshot of your default settings. This acts as a backup, so you can always revert if something goes wrong.
Step 4: Master the Tools for Streaming
To get your avatar onto your stream, VTube Studio offers several options.
Virtual Webcam vs. Spout2
- Virtual Webcam: This built-in option sends your avatar as a camera source that can be picked up by apps like Prism Live Studio or even TikTok's streaming software.
- Spout2 Plugin: This is the recommended option for OBS Studio users. By installing the Spout2 plugin, you can capture your VTube Studio output with a transparent background. This means you don’t have to deal with Chroma Keying out a green screen, which can sometimes remove parts of your model that are too close to green.
Bonus: What is VBridger?
As you advance, you might hear about VBridger. It's a paid plugin available on Steam that is used alongside an iPhone for ARKit-based facial tracking. While VTube Studio's built-in tracking is excellent, VBridger offers even more precision, especially for advanced rigging that utilizes things like jaw movement. Most beginners, however, won't need to worry about this until they're ready to invest in a highly customized model.
Start Your VTuber Journey Today!
You don't need a custom model to begin. By downloading VTube Studio and exploring the free features, you can get comfortable with the technology and animation. From there, you can choose to stick with the free models or invest in a custom 2D model later. Getting familiar with the app is the first and most important step to becoming a 2D VTuber in 2025.
General VTubing questions
Q: Can I become a VTuber for free?
A: Yes. Many free tools are available for each step of the process, including avatar creation (VRoid Studio, Picrew), tracking (VSeeFace, VTube Studio), and streaming (OBS Studio, Streamlabs).
A: Yes. Many free tools are available for each step of the process, including avatar creation (VRoid Studio, Picrew), tracking (VSeeFace, VTube Studio), and streaming (OBS Studio, Streamlabs).
Q: Do I need a custom avatar to get started?
A: No. Apps like VTube Studio come with pre-built models that you can use immediately to test the waters and become familiar with the app's features.
A: No. Apps like VTube Studio come with pre-built models that you can use immediately to test the waters and become familiar with the app's features.
Q: What is a "PNGTuber," and is it a good starting point?
A: A PNGTuber uses static PNG images (usually an idle and a talking version) that switch automatically based on your voice. It is the most accessible and budget-friendly way to begin, allowing you to see if you enjoy the streaming and content creation process before investing more time and resources.
A: A PNGTuber uses static PNG images (usually an idle and a talking version) that switch automatically based on your voice. It is the most accessible and budget-friendly way to begin, allowing you to see if you enjoy the streaming and content creation process before investing more time and resources.
Q: Do I have to reveal my identity as a VTuber?
A: No, one of the main advantages of VTubing is the option for complete anonymity. You control how much of your personal identity is revealed, if any at all.
A: No, one of the main advantages of VTubing is the option for complete anonymity. You control how much of your personal identity is revealed, if any at all.
Software and setup questions
Q: What is the most popular app for 2D VTubers?
A: VTube Studio is widely considered the standard for 2D VTubing using Live2D models. It is praised for its ease of use, robust features, and excellent facial tracking.
A: VTube Studio is widely considered the standard for 2D VTubing using Live2D models. It is praised for its ease of use, robust features, and excellent facial tracking.
Q: Which apps are best for 3D VTubers?
A: For 3D avatars, VSeeFace is a popular free and user-friendly tracking application that supports VRM models. You can also create your own custom VRM avatar for free using VRoid Studio.
A: For 3D avatars, VSeeFace is a popular free and user-friendly tracking application that supports VRM models. You can also create your own custom VRM avatar for free using VRoid Studio.
Q: What's the difference between using my phone vs. a webcam for tracking?
A: Using your phone (connected to the PC app) for tracking often provides higher-quality and more accurate facial expression data compared to a standard webcam. The PC app will use this data while minimizing its own resource usage.
A: Using your phone (connected to the PC app) for tracking often provides higher-quality and more accurate facial expression data compared to a standard webcam. The PC app will use this data while minimizing its own resource usage.
Q: Why should I use Spout2 instead of the virtual webcam for streaming?
A: The Spout2 plugin for OBS provides a perfectly transparent background for your avatar without needing to use a green screen (chroma key). This avoids issues where colors on your avatar are accidentally removed or glitch during the chroma key process.
A: The Spout2 plugin for OBS provides a perfectly transparent background for your avatar without needing to use a green screen (chroma key). This avoids issues where colors on your avatar are accidentally removed or glitch during the chroma key process.
Q: What is VBridger and do I need it?
A: VBridger is a paid add-on that provides even more precise tracking data by utilizing the facial tracking of an iOS device. For most beginners, it is not necessary, as VTube Studio's native tracking is already very good.
A: VBridger is a paid add-on that provides even more precise tracking data by utilizing the facial tracking of an iOS device. For most beginners, it is not necessary, as VTube Studio's native tracking is already very good.
Q: How do I remove the watermark in VTube Studio?
A: You can remove the watermark by purchasing the "remove watermark" DLC through Steam. If you're using smartphone tracking, there is no watermark, so a purchase is only necessary if you are using a webcam for tracking on the PC version.
A: You can remove the watermark by purchasing the "remove watermark" DLC through Steam. If you're using smartphone tracking, there is no watermark, so a purchase is only necessary if you are using a webcam for tracking on the PC version.
Customization and model questions
Q: How can I create my own VTuber model for free?
A: You can use VRoid Studio to create a 3D anime-style avatar or use a free avatar maker like Picrew to design a 2D or PNG character. For more custom 2D models, you can commission an artist or learn to use Live2D Cubism.
A: You can use VRoid Studio to create a 3D anime-style avatar or use a free avatar maker like Picrew to design a 2D or PNG character. For more custom 2D models, you can commission an artist or learn to use Live2D Cubism.
Q: Can I customize how my avatar reacts to my face?
A: Yes. Apps like VTube Studio allow you to adjust and fine-tune the parameters of your model's expressions. You can change the sensitivity and range of mouth, eyebrow, and eye movements to match your face and personality perfectly.
A: Yes. Apps like VTube Studio allow you to adjust and fine-tune the parameters of your model's expressions. You can change the sensitivity and range of mouth, eyebrow, and eye movements to match your face and personality perfectly.
Q: What is rigging?
A: Rigging is the process of adding a digital "skeleton" to your 2D or 3D model, allowing it to move and be controlled by tracking software. Many pre-made models are already rigged, but if you create your own from scratch, you will need to do this yourself or commission an artist.
A: Rigging is the process of adding a digital "skeleton" to your 2D or 3D model, allowing it to move and be controlled by tracking software. Many pre-made models are already rigged, but if you create your own from scratch, you will need to do this yourself or commission an artist.
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