Video conferencing is becoming a permanent part of our workflow, especially when working remotely. And while working from home allows us to be flexible where we work, we must still strive to maintain a professional background when meeting our co-workers virtually.

However, having this is not always possible. Whether it's due to space limitations or housemates, it might not be easy to clear the area behind you. But, don't worry—there's a solution to this: a green screen!

Here's how you can set yourself up with a professional background without breaking the bank.

1. How to Use a Live Green Screen on Zoom

If you or your company use this app for your meetings, then you're in luck! Zoom has a powerful background filter that allows you to change your Zoom background image with or without a green screen.

Related: How to Join a Zoom Meeting

All you have to do is join a meeting, go to the menu on the lower left, and select the caret/up arrow on the Start/Stop Video button. Then, choose Video Settings > Background & Filters.

Zoom video settings menu

If you don't have a green screen, you can select any Zoom virtual background of your choice or even upload your own by clicking on the plus (+) button. But if you have a green screen—or any plain colored background for that matter—tick the I have a green screen checkbox, and your Zoom green screen is good to go!

Video Settings Window on Zoom

Download: Zoom for Windows and Mac (Free, subscription available)

2. How to Use a Live Green Screen on Microsoft Teams

If your company uses Microsoft Teams, you can still use a virtual background inside the app. All you have to do is to enter a meeting. Before you join the meeting, you will be prompted to Choose your audio and video settings.

Related: How to Host a Microsoft Teams Meeting on Desktop or Mobile

Click on the profile outline icon, located in between the microphone toggle switch and the PC Mic and Speakers settings button, and you should see the Background settings menu.

Microsoft Teams Background Settings Menu

All you have to do is choose your desired background or select Add new if you want to upload your own. Although you don't need a green screen to use this feature, having one will greatly improve its quality.

Download: Microsoft Teams for Windows and Mac (Free, subscription available)

3. How to Use a Live Green Screen on Skype

Skype makes it easy to add a virtual background, whether you're on a Windows, Mac, or Linux device. But if you're using Skype on a Windows device, make sure you're using Skype for Windows, not Skype for Windows 10. This is because the latter doesn't support changing your background.

Once you open Skype, click the three-dots menu beside your name and available credits, and then choose Settings. Click the Audio & Video option, and select your desired background under Choose background effect.

Skype audio and video menu

You can get more choices or even upload your own photo when you click the three horizontal dots on the right side of the effects list. Like Microsoft Teams, you don't need to have a green screen to use a virtual background, but having one will definitely help improve your background quality.

Download: Skype for Windows, Mac, and Linux (Free, subscription available)

What About Other Video Conferencing Software?

Unfortunately, there is no live green screen for Google Hangouts, Google Meet, Discord, Slack, and other popular video conferencing software. But don't fret yet! There is a way to place a virtual image over your green screen background even if your preferred video conferencing app doesn't support it.

You need to install a third-party live green screen software like ManyCam, CamMask, or OBS Studio to replace your background and create a virtual camera your video conferencing app can use.

Below, we'll show you how to use OBS Studio to use a live green screen on any video conferencing software.

Related: Need a Green Screen? Use This Simple App Instead

How to Use OBS Studio to Create a Live Green Screen

OBS Studio is one of the best and most powerful apps used by streamers and broadcasting professionals to overlay their screens, change their backgrounds, and more.

Although it can be quite intimidating to use at first, it's actually quite simple to use. After installing and launching the application, go to the Sources subwindow, click the plus (+) icon, and then choose Video Capture Device to load your webcam.

OBS Video Capture Device menu

A new Create/Select Source window should pop up. Choose Create New, and then name it however way you want. Tick the Make source visible checkbox to make your camera appear on your screen. Don't forget to press OK when you're ready!

OBS Create or Select Source window

The Properties window should now open. Select your webcam under the dropdown menu, and you should see it on the OBS broadcast screen. Press OK.

Choose the correct device in the dropdown menu

Once you've loaded your camera, right-click on it in the Sources window to bring up its context menu, and then choose Filters.

OBS filters menu

Now, the Filters window will open. Go to the Effect Filters subwindow, click the plus (+) button, and then choose Chroma Key. A new window will pop up, and ask you what to name your filter. Choose whatever name you want, and then press OK.

OBS Chroma Key option under the Filter menu

You should see your new Chroma Key layer under the Effect Filters subwindow. Click on it, and then the options for that should come up.

You can select your background color under the Key Color Type dropdown menu, and slide the SimilaritySmoothness, and Key Color Spill Reduction bars to fine-tune your image.

OBS Filters Chroma Key Layer options

Once you're happy with what you see, select Close. You'll go back to the previous window, where you can add your background image by clicking the plus (+) icon in the Sources subwindow, and then choosing Image.

OBS Add Image

Using the same procedure above, the Create/Select Source window will pop up. Choose Create new, ensure the Make source visible checkbox is ticked, and then press OK.

The Properties window will open. Choose the background image you want by clicking Browse and opening your chosen image. It will then load on the window. Press OK if you're happy with the image you see.

OBS Properties for Background Image

You can move the background image or your camera on the screen by clicking and dragging the image to your desired placement. You can also resize and adjust the camera or the background image by clicking and dragging on the red boxes around their borders.

Adjusting image size and placement on OBS

Make sure that your camera layer is on top of your background image under the Sources subwindow so that you can see yourself. Once you're happy with what you see in the preview window, go ahead and click Start Virtual Camera.

Start Virtual Camera on OBS

If you want to use the virtual background with Google Meet, don't forget to go to the three-button menu, and choose Settings > Video when you open the app. Then, look for the OBS Virtual Camera under the Camera dropdown menu.

Google Meet OBS Virtual Camera

Once you've done that, then you're all set! You can now have your own virtual background, no matter what video conferencing app you're using.

Download: OBS for Windows, Mac, and Linux (Free)

Live Green Screens Made Easy

If you're using either Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Skype, then setting up a virtual background is easy. However, now that you know how to add a live green screen on OBS Studio, you can have a green screen background on any video conferencing app–even if it doesn't natively support it.

Having a clean or a wacky background of your choice can make your meetings professional, fun, or both at the same time.