Comparison

NDI Player vs Elgato Capture

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NDI Player

This tool transforms your device into a convenient NDI source for live production. Create customized playlists, support multiple NDI formats, and utilize Apple Pencil for annotations. It offers seamless HDMI and AirPlay output with real-time audio monitoring.

Highlights
  • NDI source creation
  • Customized playlist
  • Screen mirroring/AirPlay output
  • Apple Pencil/Finger annotation
  • Multi-NDI source support
  • Real-time audio VU meter
Features
Read full description

- If you are working with NDI, this is your MUST-HAVE tool - Create the most convenient and affordable NDI source instantly - Both landscape and portrait output support - Fully customized playlist, a powerful video player for live production - Supports multitasking on iPad, multiply NDI sources simultaneously - Supports Full NDI, NDI HX H.264, and NDI HX HEVC, display connection tally status - Supports Apple Pencil or Finger markup, drawing, and annotation - Supports full-screen HDMI & ScreenMirroring/AirPlay output - With real-time audio VU meter monitor - No need to register, no subscription fees, one-time purchase for lifetime use

About

Elgato Capture

Record and stream high-quality video from your Elgato capture device directly to your iPad. Control video and audio settings, capture footage, and monitor your feed on the go. Perfect for content creators and gamers who need a portable setup.

Highlights
  • Connect Elgato capture cards and cameras to iPad
  • Customizable video resolution and frame rate
  • Flexible audio input and output control
  • Record footage and take screenshots
  • Store recordings on iPad or external storage
  • Use iPad as a full-screen monitor
Read full description

Your Elgato capture card or camera now works with iPad!  Meeting up? Throw your iPad and capture card into your bag. Traveling? Leave your laptop at home. Now you have an ultra-compact yet powerful capture setup that can go anywhere whether you're an aspiring streamer, a content creator, or just want to relive your gaming moments. Connect one of these Elgato devices to your setup and unlock a world of possibilities: - HD60 X: Experience crisp, high-quality game capture with ease. - HD60 S+: Elevate your streaming game with seamless, low-latency recording. - Cam Link 4K: Unleash the potential of 4K video recording. - Facecam and Facecam Pro: Perfect for vlogging – try recording with the integrated iPad microphone or connect an Elgato Wave:3. With Capture, you have complete control over your recording experience: - Custom Video Settings: Choose your preferred video input format, including resolution and frame rate, to ensure your content looks exactly the way you want it. - Audio Management: Choose your preferred audio input from your capture device, or the iPad’s integrated front microphone. Toggle passing the audio to the speakers on and off as needed. An integrated audio meter ensures your audio setup is always on point. - Capture and Store: Record your gaming sessions, take screenshots, and effortlessly store them in your preferred location – Photo Library, Internal Storage, or even External Storage like a USB SSD or SD card. - iPad Monitoring: Utilize your iPad as a dedicated full-screen monitor, so you can game on-the-go. Elevate your content and share your gaming journey with the world like never before. Download Capture today and start capturing your epic moments with your Elgato devices! Compatibility: Works on iPads with native USB-C connector, i.e. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad (10th generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation and later). Does not work on iPads with Lightning connector.

Screenshots

NDI Player4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Elgato Capture at 4.5 against NDI Player's 3.8. Elgato Capture also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (320 vs 18). NDI Player's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NDI Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Elgato Capture asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Elgato Capture holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elgato Capture has 320 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of NDI Player's written reviews are positive against 33% of Elgato Capture's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NDI Player ships an update fortnightly, Elgato Capture every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NDI Player versus Elgato Capture: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNDI PlayerElgato Capture
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (18 ratings)4.5 (320 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18320 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTopDirector CorporationCorsair Memory, Inc.

Customer experience

NDI Player

All ratings18 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral5.6%
Negative27.8%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Elgato Capture

All ratings169 ratings
Positive80.5%
Neutral3.0%
Negative16.6%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative63.0%

Bugs and requests

NDI Player

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Elgato Capture

Reported bugs

33 issues
  • App freezes and is unresponsive during calls
  • No sound from console unless call is ended
  • App stopped working with Neo
  • No signal with new iPad 11th gen
  • App crashes with OSStatus error -12743
Show 28 more
  • Recording at 720p takes longer to crash than 1080p
  • Error 12743 when recording
  • Cannot get app to work with iPad
  • App is unstable
  • Cannot record higher resolution than 1080p
  • Software does not detect HD60 S+
  • Does not work with iPad 10th generation
  • Never got a signal with USB-C adapters
  • Does not work on anything
  • Unreliable and loses work
  • Crashing with OSStatus error
  • Saving to Photos, iCloud Drive, or On My iPad crashes
  • Does not work with Xbox Series S (no HDMI IN)
  • Error when recording more than two seconds
  • No audio on recordings
  • Pass-through audio not working
  • Audio input setting not respected
  • 4K60 S+ not compatible
  • App crashes when microphone is in use on other apps
  • Does not recognize any devices
  • HD60 S is not compatible
  • Not stable as an output audio device
  • Ableton Live 11 Suite crashes when recording
  • Dark mode is broken on iPad Mini 6
  • Frame rate under 20fps with Camlink 4k
  • No audio passthrough
  • Setting to 4K shows blank screen with lower resolution input
  • Input needs to be connected and disconnected multiple times

Requested features

6 requests
  • Scale to fit image option
  • Record microphone and Elgato simultaneously
  • Add Chat Link Pro settings to app
  • Record HDR on iPad
  • Reset recording destination automatically
Show 1 more
  • Audio passthrough to speakers/headphones

In-app purchases

4 purchases

NDI Player

One-time4
  • Using Apple Pencil or Finger$4.99
  • Movie Playback$9.99
  • HDMI & ScreenMirroring/AirPlay$9.99
Show 1 more
  • List Playback$14.99
None

Elgato Capture

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NDI Player free?
NDI Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Elgato Capture free?
Elgato Capture is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NDI Player or Elgato Capture?
Elgato Capture is rated higher. NDI Player averages 3.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Elgato Capture averages 4.5 from 320 ratings.
Do NDI Player or Elgato Capture have ads?
Neither NDI Player nor Elgato Capture shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NDI Player or Elgato Capture?
NDI Player ships an update fortnightly, and Elgato Capture every 3 months. Most recently, NDI Player was updated on November 3, 2026 and Elgato Capture on November 7, 2026.

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