What Elgato Systems does

Elgato Systems designs and sells an integrated hardware-and-software ecosystem for content creators, streamers, podcasters, and broadcast professionals. Its product portfolio spans five core categories: audio (Wave microphones including Wave Neo, Wave:3 MK.2, and the dynamic Wave DX; interfaces such as Wave XLR MK.2 and Wave XLR Pro; the XLR Dock for Stream Deck +; and mic arms), Stream Deck programmable controllers (Mini, Classic, XL, Neo, +, + XL, Studio, Module, and Pedal, plus the Galleon 100 SD integrated keyboard), capture devices (Game Capture Neo, 4K S, 4K X, 4K Pro, Cam Link 4K and Pro), cameras and lighting (Facecam Neo, MK.2, 4K; Key Light, Key Light Air MK.2, Key Light Neo), and teleprompters (Prompter, Prompter XL), all coordinated through software including Wave Link, Wave Cast, Camera Hub, Control Center, Elgato Studio, and Stream Deck Mobile.

The underlying technology stack combines proprietary silicon with open extensibility. Elgato and LEWITT Audio co-developed the custom Wave FX Processor chip powering onboard DSP in the MK.2 audio line; Clipguard 2.0 uses a stacked-ADC architecture with 32-bit float processing to deliver layered anti-distortion protection; and VST Insert feeds software effects directly into the hardware signal chain with ultra-low monitoring latency. The Stream Deck platform is a customizable hardware-plus-software system with a JavaScript/TypeScript SDK, a Marketplace for third-party plugins (VST3/AU effects, Voicemod voice changers, Voice Focus noise suppression), and a Maker developer program that turns the platform into an extensible control surface for arbitrary workflows.

Elgato operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corsair Gaming (NASDAQ: CRSR), which acquired the company in 2018. The business model is anchored by hardware sales across consumer and enterprise channels (direct e-commerce on elgato.com, global retail through Corsair's distribution network, and a dedicated B2B Business Solutions division serving media, education, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment), supplemented by Marketplace commissions on third-party plugins and a freemium software strategy (Wave Link, Stream Deck Mobile, Virtual Stream Deck) used to drive hardware adoption. Pricing is one-time/perpetual on hardware from $49.99 to $349.99, with bundle discounts of 15-20%, and the segment mix spans individual content creators and gamers, business professionals, and media/broadcast enterprises.

Name

Elgato Systems

Legal name

Elgato

Website

https://elgato.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Elgato Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corsair Gaming (NASDAQ: CRSR), builds integrated hardware-and-software ecosystems for content creators, streamers, podcasters, and broadcast professionals across its Wave audio, Stream Deck, capture, camera, lighting, and teleprompter product lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Content Creation Hardware

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577), Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)

akta.pro primary industry

Gaming Capture & Streaming Hardware (Capture Cards, Stream Decks) (CRACAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gaming Networking & Streaming Gear Retail (Routers, Capture Cards, Webcams, Mics) (CRACAFAK), Console Connectivity & AV Accessories (Cables, Adapters, Capture Devices) (HDACANAI), Hardware Encoders & Transcoders (Appliances, FPGA/ASIC) (MPAHAHAB)

Keywords

• Content creation hardware
• Streaming peripherals
• Creator audio equipment
• Game capture devices
• Workflow controllers

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Primary revenue from selling physical audio, video capture, lighting, and control hardware products including microphones, interfaces, capture cards, webcams, and Stream Deck devices.
2. Marketplace Commissions: Third-party plugin ecosystem through Elgato Marketplace where developers sell audio effects and Stream Deck plugins, with Elgato taking a commission on sales.
3. Software (Free Tier): Core software including Wave Link and Stream Deck app are offered free to drive hardware adoption, representing a loss-leader model.
4. Accessories and Spare Parts: Replacement parts, mounts, cables, and accessories sold through spare parts store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elgato Systems designs, manufactures, and sells an integrated ecosystem of hardware and software for content creators, streamers, and broadcast professionals. Core hardware includes USB/XLR microphones, audio interfaces, Stream Deck customizable controllers, game and camera capture cards, webcams, studio lighting, and teleprompters. The portfolio is tied together with free supporting software including Wave Link mixing software, Camera Hub, Control Center, and Stream Deck apps, plus a third-party Marketplace for plugins and effects.

Product overview

Elgato Systems is a creator technology company offering an integrated ecosystem of hardware and software products for content creators, streamers, and professionals. The product portfolio centers on five core categories: Audio (Wave microphones, interfaces, mixers, and Wave Link software), Stream Deck (customizable LCD button controllers and accessories), Capture (game capture cards, camera capture devices, webcams), Lighting (Key Light LED panels with Control Center software), and Teleprompters (Prompter products). The Wave audio ecosystem includes Wave Neo, Wave:3 MK.2, Wave DX microphones, Wave XLR MK.2 and Wave XLR Pro interfaces, XLR Dock MK.2, Wave Mic Arms, and Wave Link free mixing software. Stream Deck lineup spans Mini, Classic, Neo, +, + XL, Studio, Module, and Pedal with supporting software including Stream Deck Mobile and Virtual Stream Deck. The Capture category includes Game Capture (Neo, 4K S, 4K X, 4K Pro), Cam Link (4K, Pro), and Facecam (Neo, MK.2, 4K) products. All products are supported by Elgato Marketplace for third-party plugins, the Stream Deck SDK for developers, and work cohesively through software integration with Wave Link, Camera Hub, Control Center, and Elgato Studio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wave Neo Entry-level USB condenser microphone ($49.99) with plug-and-play simplicity, cardioid polar pattern, 24-bit/48kHz resolution, and integrated Wave Link software support for creators seeking professional audio.
• Wave:3 MK.2 USB condenser microphone ($169.99) with onboard Wave FX Processor featuring DSP effects, Clipguard 2.0 anti-distortion protection, and VST Insert support, with Auto Gain and tap-to-mute functionality.
• Wave DX Dynamic XLR microphone ($99.99) capturing detail like a condenser with strong noise rejection; removable logo, mono swivel mount, hardened steel chassis, and available in multiple colors.
• Wave XLR MK.2 USB mic interface ($169.99) with 80 dB gain, Wave FX Processor, Clipguard 2.0, and VST insert support; capacitive mute, hardware dial, and 48V phantom power for condenser mics.
• Wave XLR Pro Professional audio interface ($349.99) and audio matrix with dual XLR inputs and five hardware-based mixes; standalone capable, Stream Deck ready, with 80 dB digital gain and dual USB-C connectivity.
• XLR Dock MK.2 Mic interface ($129.99) that integrates with Stream Deck +, adding 80 dB gain, phantom power, and Clipguard 2.0; powers entire audio station via single USB cable.
• Wave Link Free professional audio mixing software for Windows and macOS supporting up to 5 mixes, unlimited VST/AU effects, app grouping, and Stream Deck integration; works with any USB mic or audio setup.
• Stream Deck (Mini | Classic | XL) Customizable RGB-backlit LCD key button controllers (Mini 3 keys, Classic 15 keys, XL 32 keys) for automating workflows, controlling applications, and triggering actions across streaming and productivity environments.
• Stream Deck Neo Stream Deck with modern Neo design offering 8 customizable keys with haptic feedback for workflow automation.
• Stream Deck + (Classic | XL) Stream Deck with 4 dial controllers plus LCD keys; Classic (8 keys) and XL (8 keys plus ultra-wide touch strip) variants for audio and production workflows.
• Stream Deck Studio Professional-grade Stream Deck with studio controls centralizing camera, transition, and audio control for live production environments.
• Galleon 100 SD Innovative mechanical keyboard with integrated Stream Deck controls, combining typing and streaming control in one device.
• Game Capture Neo Next-generation game capture device with streamlined setup and features for console recording and streaming.
• Game Capture 4K S 4K HDR game capture card for high-quality console recording and streaming.
• Game Capture 4K X Premium 4K HDR game capture with pass-through for uncompressed gameplay recording and streaming.
• Game Capture 4K Pro Professional-grade 4K HDR capture card for competitive gaming and broadcast production environments.
• Cam Link 4K Camera capture device enabling DSLR or mirrorless camera use as webcam, with 4K passthrough and recording capability.
• Cam Link Pro Professional camera capture with multi-camera support for complex multi-source streaming and production setups.
• Facecam Neo Webcam with professional-grade image quality and automatic light correction for streaming and video calls.
• Facecam MK.2 Advanced webcam with fixed-focus prime lens and enhanced low-light performance.
• Facecam 4K 4K webcam delivering broadcast-quality video with advanced auto-exposure.
• Key Light Neo Professional LED panel light with app and physical controls; adjustable brightness and color temperature.
• Key Light Flagship studio LED panel with 2,500 lumens output and Wi-Fi connectivity for content creation setups.
• Key Light Air / Key Light Air MK.2 Compact LED panel with USB-C power and touch controls, including clamp-on desk mount for compact creator setups.
• Prompter Professional teleprompter enabling natural eye contact during presentations, broadcasts, and content creation.
• Prompter XL Large-format teleprompter for professional broadcast and media production environments.
• Conferencing Kit + Complete video conferencing solution combining camera, lighting, and audio equipment for professional broadcast-quality meetings, targeted at business users.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% plastic-free packaging achieved
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LEWITT AudiocoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Strategic collaboration since 2018 to bring professional sound to creators. LEWITT and Elgato jointly developed the Wave FX Processor custom chip and designed proprietary capsules for Wave microphones. This collaboration built the foundation—from signal architecture to anti-distortion technology—for the entire Wave audio ecosystem.
• CorsaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and primary distribution partner. Elgato operates as a subsidiary of Corsair Components (NASDAQ: CRSR), leveraging Corsair's global retail and distribution network alongside shared technology development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• HyperX: HyperX (owned by HP) competes with Elgato across USB microphones (QuadCast line), webcams, and streaming peripherals targeting the same content creator and gaming audience.
• Razer: Razer competes with Elgato across USB microphones (Seiren line), streaming peripherals, capture-adjacent accessories, and webcam category. Both target the same content creator and gamer segments with overlapping product ecosystems.
• Logitech G: Logitech's gaming and streaming division competes directly with Elgato across webcams, USB microphones (via acquired Blue Microphones), capture-adjacent accessories, and creator lighting. Logitech also owns Streamlabs, a software competitor in the streaming workflow space.
• SteelSeries: SteelSeries competes with Elgato across gaming peripherals and creator audio (Alias series microphones) for the same streaming/gaming audience, with overlapping software ecosystems (SteelSeries GG vs. Elgato software suite).
• Blue Microphones: Blue's Yeti and Yeti X USB microphones are the most direct consumer-creator microphone competitors to Elgato's Wave line. Now part of Logitech, Blue benefits from broader distribution and Logitech G Hub software integration.
• Shure: Shure's MV7 and SM7dB microphones compete directly with Elgato's Wave DX in the dynamic broadcast/podcast category, and Shure's broader pro-audio presence overlaps with Wave XLR Pro's professional audio interface positioning.
• Rode: Rode competes directly with Elgato in the creator microphone category (NT-USB, NT-USB Mini, PodMic) and increasingly in audio interfaces and production accessories for the same podcaster/streamer persona.
• Sennheiser: Sennheiser competes with Elgato in the prosumer and professional microphone category (Profile, HD 200) and through its consumer division in audio equipment targeting podcasters, streamers, and creators.
• AVerMedia: AVerMedia is the primary direct competitor to Elgato in the game capture card category, with overlapping 4K HDR passthrough capture products and a strong presence in console streaming and broadcast capture.

Emerging players

• Loupedeck: Loupedeck is a niche direct competitor to Stream Deck in the customizable hardware console category, focused on photo/video editing and creative workflows with overlapping use cases among creators and streamers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elgatogaming
• Facebookfacebook.com/elgato
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elgato-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elgato Systems