Fake Webcam for Windows

Fake Webcam for Windows is a virtual camera software that enables users to simulate a webcam on their system.

It can capture your desktop, screenshots, and real Webcam feeds, and overlay videos with text and effects. You can use Fake Webcam like a real webcam, but this tool offers additional capabilities, such as creating presentations, promotional materials, training videos, and manuals, and broadcasting them via social media and IM clients. It’s free to try for 30 days, though with a nag screen and watermark on output. The full version costs about as much as a casual lunch.

Fake Webcam installed easily enough. The program uses several freeware tools, such as media codec packs, screen capture tools, and file splitters—most of which are well-known and reliable. The only issue was a mandatory email registration dialog that we couldn’t bypass. We’re not fans of having to register an email address just to try software, especially when it’s required. However, after closing, reopening, and updating the program, a new splash screen appeared with a "Try" option. This screen appeared every time we opened Fake Webcam thereafter.

The program’s interface is straightforward, with tabs for Videos and Effects & Overlays on the left, and a Preview screen that can be toggled open and closed on the right. Fake Webcam is easy to use. We clicked “Add Video,” loaded a clip, and pressed Play. A watermark stating “Fake Webcam Trial Version” appeared onscreen, but the video quality was fine otherwise. The Effects tab offers six categories with previews: Effects, Frames, Face, Images, GIF, and Flag. We clicked Flag, and Fake Webcam displayed a scrolling, alphabetized list of national flags.

Selecting one transferred it to our video feed, where it waved in a simulated breeze. However, removing effects from the preview image was cumbersome; an undo button would improve this. The Help file includes instructions for configuring the program with many IM clients. Despite a few rough edges, we think many users will find Fake Webcam a useful tool.

To optimize the use of Fake Webcam, it is recommended to ensure that the system meets the application's requirements, particularly in terms of processing power and memory, to minimize performance issues. Users should also familiarize themselves with the software's settings to effectively utilize the available features. Regular updates from the developer can provide improvements and address potential security vulnerabilities, so keeping the software up to date is advisable.

Fake Webcam for Windows is highly compatible with popular video calling and streaming applications, such as Skype, Zoom, and OBS Studio. This makes it a versatile tool for users who need to simulate a webcam feed during video conferences or live streaming sessions. By emulating a real webcam, it allows users to broadcast pre-recorded media, like videos, images, or even a desktop screen, instead of relying on live camera input.

Alternative applications to Fake Webcam include AlterCam, which offers a broader range of effects and supports broadcasting of pre-recorded videos and live desktop screens. Another option is Webcam Simulator, a software that simulates a webcam by adding a virtual camera to the operating system, allowing the use of pre-recorded videos and photo albums in various instant messaging or video chat software.