Whether you are a content creator, video editor, photo editor, or most relevant, a streamer, stream controller devices are often vital to the craft. These devices streamline the entire process and give you a handheld studio all at the touch of your fingertips. With some programming and some dedication, you can turn your static stream into a fully-fledged show with different scenes, audio cues, and a whole lot more! They have become incredibly popular in the last decade or so but the scene has mostly been dominated by the Elgato brand with the stream deck and similar products.
As with everything, new players come into the scene and compete with pre-existing products. Some other companies have taken their shot in this industry, companies as Loupedeck and some other brands that you can buy from on Amazon. The most recent player on the scene is Razer. Razer has come out with their Stream Controller product and it directly competes with the Elgato Stream Deck. In this article, we are going to be directly comparing these two products and helping you decide on which product fits your needs best.
If you want an in-depth review of the Razer Stream Controller, check out our full review! We also have more information on the Elgato capture cards to help streamers upscale their content.
Specs
Although these two devices solve the same issue and provide the same result, the differences between them make a difference in which you would prefer to buy. The Razer Stream Controller features better specs and more features than the Elgato Stream Deck.
| Specs | Razer Stream Controller | Elgato Stream Deck |
| Price | $270 | $79.99 – $249.99 |
| Connectivity | USB-A to USB-C | USB |
| Haptic Keys | 12 | 6-32 |
| Analog Dials | 6 | N/A |
| Programmable Buttons | 8 | N/A |
| System Requirements | macOS X 10.14 (or later), Windows 10 | macOS X 10.14 (or later), Windows 10 |
Price
The Razer Stream Controller is more expensive than any of the Elgato Stream Deck, coming in at $270, while the top tier (32 key) XL Stream Deck is only $249.99. Although you get dials and more programmable keys, the price of the Razer Stream Controller can’t outperform the XL Stream Deck in buttons.
Build Quality
Arguably the Razer Stream Controller features a more “solid” and hefty build, while the Elgato Stream Deck has a more plastic build. Although both feel premium and stable, the Razer product has materials that replicate the products of the Loupedeck series of products. The materials of both are very similar and the feel of the haptic buttons are nearly identical. Both are built very well and the quality is nearly the same, there is no metal used or included in either, but the hard plastics should suffice.
The Razer Stream Controller has dials and programable keys that are satisfying to click and are rated to last you a long time. If you have used or are familiar with the Loudeck series, the Razer product is essentially that product in every way. The only difference that the Razer product has to the Loupedeck is the logo and branding. That isn’t necessarily a bad trait to have, considering the Loupedeck has been an extremely popular choice for video editors and content creators, but it is worth noting.
Features
The features and use cases of these two products are essentially the same, however, if you want a product that has a bit more versatility, the Razer product is a more diverse and open technology than Elgato. This all depends on what you would use these for. The Elgato works perfectly fine and has for many streamers over the years, however, if you want a device with more features, the Razer product can do more than just be a streaming controller, and often offers content creators and video editors a useful companion device as well.
Which is Better for Streamers
Arguably they both work perfectly fine. If you only care about buttons, you may want to go with the more price-effective Elgato XL stream deck, but if you want to be able to have volume dials and separate programable keys, the Razer Stream Controller offers a more versatile device. The top-line streaming device is the Razer product considering the number of things it comes with, however, the price is extremely high and will only appeal to a small number of streamers, while the Elgato is competitively priced and works perfectly fine.
Which is Better for Video Editing
The Razer product is better for video editing. The product is a direct replica of the Loupedeck device, which is designed for video editing, photo editing, and audio editing, making the Razer Stream Controller not only great for streamers but also great for video editors. The Elgato may be able to streamline some tasks when video editing, but you are only limited to using their buttons. The other benefit that the Razer device has, is that it is fully compatible with the Loupedeck software, making the programming for both streaming and your Adobe or editing software seamless.
Which is Better for Content Creators
Considering the versatile nature of the Razer device, it is most definitely better for Content Creators. You can easily work with the Loupedeck software to make presets for both your Streaming and content creation needs. The device is essentially built to be a content creator-friendly companion for all of your software. The Elgato could help in some areas, but the lack of dials and separate programmable keys makes it a less well-rounded device.
Conclusion
The Razer Stream Controller is a newer, more feature-packed device that is only reserved for the top of line buyers. The price is extremely high and will warn off most buyers. If you want the best of the best and the most features, Razer is the way to go. For most out there, the Elgato 6, 15, or 32-pad devices will be both cheaper and more simple to use when streaming. For the majority of buyers out there, the Razer is just too much money, and the Elgato is the safer bet, but if you want the top line, and don’t mind paying the premium price, the Razer is definitely worth getting.