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VirtualCam vs Iriun
Iriun is the simplest of the classic wireless-webcam tools. VirtualCam removes the installs entirely. The trade-offs are about where your video is allowed to go.
Short answer: Iriun is a small driver on your PC plus a phone app — free, with a one-time upgrade for HD. VirtualCam lives entirely in the browser: no driver, no phone app, with video running directly from your phone to the site, encrypted. Iriun also covers desktop apps; VirtualCam covers websites, privacy, and zero installs.
| VirtualCam | Iriun | |
|---|---|---|
| PC install | Browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Brave) — no driver | Camera driver for Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Phone install | None — a web page; Android app optional | Iriun phone app required |
| Free tier | Both modes, 720p, per-site rules, test page | Free core; HD behind a one-time upgrade |
| Resolution | 720p is the design target, same-network peer-to-peer | Up to 4K claimed; user reports of FPS drops at high resolutions |
| Video path | Direct phone-to-browser, DTLS-SRTP; the pairing server never sees a frame | Phone to PC driver over Wi-Fi or USB |
| Works in | Websites in the browser only | Desktop apps too — any app that sees the driver |
Where each one wins
Choose Iriun if you want one free tool that also serves desktop applications, and you are comfortable with a driver and a phone app. The FPS reports above come from public user forums, not benchmarks — your hardware and network may differ; Iriun's own FAQ is mostly connection troubleshooting, which tells you where the rough edges are.
Choose VirtualCam if the destination is a website: nothing installs but the extension, the phone pairs from a URL in any mobile browser, and the free tier is the whole core with no watermark and no account. The privacy property is architectural — video never touches a server — not a policy promise.
Also weighing DroidCam or Camo? Read VirtualCam vs DroidCam and VirtualCam vs Camo; for the "camera not found" error itself, there is a dedicated fix guide.
Competitor facts checked October 2026 — packaging and pricing change often; verify before deciding. Status: the VirtualCam extension is in Chrome Web Store review; the camera test works in your browser today.