Im Live and Streamate are popular sites in the adult cam niche. These sites are often imitated by so-called White Label sites. For example, Its Live uses the same Streamate interface and shares the same models, and is known as a White Label site.
For this blog post, I want to compare Im Live with Streamate by walking you through our live cam rating criteria. My goal is that you learn about the similarities and differences to make a more informed decision about where to spend your time and money.
Overall Impression
Whenever I review a new webcam site, I spend a few minutes testing the various pages on my laptop and smartphone. Both sites have undergone design upgrades and are mobile-compatible. However, Streamate has a better overall design with an easier-to-navigate model profile list.
You can quickly filter the models by category on the left sidebar, which shows how many models are currently online in each group. Im Live also offers several options to browse models, but the categories are less extensive. Both have an advanced search page and multiple viewing options. For example, Streamate lets you change the size of the model images, allowing you to display more models per page, whereas Im Live offers a more detailed model listing with information about their live shows.
Whether you visit ImLive.com or Streamate.com, you’ll find a pleasant user experience with a great selection of online hosts. But if I had to pick the site with the best overall impression, I’d go with Streamate primarily for its wider range of model categories.
Webcam Quality
Nobody wants to pay for a live show only to be let down by choppy videos or slow-loading feeds. Webcam quality is an essential part of our rating criteria and can make a real difference in your overall experience. I’m glad to report that HD webcams are easy to find on both sites. You’ll need a fast internet connection to enjoy live HD videos properly, and it’s not always easy to spot which models are available in HD.
I usually enter several free chat rooms to get a feel for what’s out there. This not only lets me view the model for free but also tests the quality of their webcams.
Overall, Im Live seems to offer better live video quality. I’m not sure whether that’s because the model-hiring process is stricter or if I just got lucky this time while reviewing the site. But the Im Live girls look a step above the models on Streamate.
Number Of Models
Currently, there are 1090+ models on Streamate.com and 480+ on ImLive.com. Streamate models all have free public chat rooms with semi-nude models that you can interact and flirt with, whereas only about half the models on Im Live have free chat rooms. So for both paid and free chat options, Streamate has a better selection of girls.
In addition to females, both sites have a moderate selection of guys, gays, transsexuals, and couples, with Streamate also having a better selection of non-female performers. Also, the co-ed, fetish, and mature webcam categories are considerably better on Streamate as well.
Site Features
Each site offers its own features, and Im Live has recently added several new features. The ImLive ‘Candy Shows’ are special shows that require a ticket. These shows happen at fixed times throughout the month and are viewed by multiple members. Because the shows aren’t private, they won’t cost as much as a private show.
ImLive also has the ‘Control the Vibrator’ feature, which was only available on the Japanese webcam site Sakura Live. Models with this feature will display the vibe icon in the top-right corner of their profile image.
Perhaps the best feature of ImLive is the 30 Extra Credits on your first purchase. This exclusive deal, available to readers of Dark Angel Reviews, was negotiated with the site’s owner to give you better value on your first credit purchase.
Streamate also has some cool features worth mentioning. For example, Streamate features exclusive porn star shows that are free for site members. You can find the upcoming calendar by clicking on ‘Calendar’ at the top of the Streamate.com home page.
Streamate also offers the popular ‘Gold Shows,’ similar to ImLive’s Candy Shows. They are specially priced group shows where you can watch a hardcore show without putting a dent in your bank account.
Overall, both sites have all the basic features you need, but ImLive takes the prize for having unique site features.
Value For Money
First, let’s compare the free chat options. Creating an account on both sites is free and unlocks many of the sites’ features, including private shows. So if you’re only visiting for non-nude flirting, then you won’t need to pay on either site.
However, you’ll need to pay up to access the private rooms, group shows, and pre-recorded content.
Let’s start with Streamate. There’s a wide range of pay-per-minute rates, from $0.99/min to $9.99/min. Im Live models start at only $0.88/min, the ‘Happy Hour’ models. So, Im Live does have slightly lower-priced shows.
Another thing worth mentioning is that Streamate offers a VIP membership for $14.99/month that gives you access to all previously recorded shows. Im Live also sells individual model content, priced in credits on the model profile pages.
ImLive or Streamate Verdict
So which site is better? I prefer Streamate. Even though there aren’t as many features as ImLive, the free ‘Party Chat’ can be a lot of fun, especially when the model likes all the attention of a busy chat room. The ‘Gold Shows’ is also a great way to save money, and they usually cost only $0.99/minute. Because Streamate.com offers a better selection and lower prices, most viewers will prefer it.