Live face swap without a GPU: notes on LiveFaceSwapVideo
A short reference note on how a live face swap can run on an ordinary laptop.
The problem
Real-time face swap used to mean a local install and a strong GPU. Clip-based online tools avoid the hardware, but you upload, wait and download — nothing happens live.
The cloud approach
LiveFaceSwapVideo moves the heavy work to the cloud:
- You pick one reference portrait (yours, or one you have permission to use) and open your webcam.
- Frames travel over an encrypted WebRTC connection to realtime models (Lucy 2.5 or XMAX 2.0).
- The transformed stream comes back to the browser at interactive latency; the feed is not recorded or stored.
Besides face swap there is Live Try-On (change outfits) and Live Restyle (anime or illustration looks).
Getting it into streaming and meeting apps
The browser studio is enough to try it. For streaming or calls, the free Windows 11 desktop app installs a face swap virtual camera for OBS and Zoom — it also shows up in Google Meet, Teams, Discord and other apps that let you choose a camera. macOS is coming soon.
Cost
100 free credits on signup; Lucy uses 20 credits/s and XMAX 3 credits/s, billed only after the AI video appears. Plans start at $14.90/month.
Ground rules
Consent first: your own face or an authorized portrait only. No public figures, no minors.