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OBS Studio

Free, open-source software for screen recording and live streaming on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Open sourceScreen recording tools
Visit OBS StudioSee 6 alternatives
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About OBS Studio

OBS Studio is the standard free tool for recording and streaming your screen. You build scenes from sources such as displays, windows, webcams, images, browser pages and capture cards, then switch between them live or record them to disk. An audio mixer, filters for noise suppression and colour correction, and studio mode for previewing scenes before they go live make it capable enough for professional streams. It is developed by a volunteer community and funded by sponsors and donations, so there is no paid tier, watermark or time limit. A large plugin ecosystem adds features such as virtual backgrounds and advanced transitions. The catch is the learning curve: it is a production tool, not a one-click recorder, and there is no built-in editor or cloud sharing, so recordings need trimming and uploading elsewhere. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and suits streamers, educators and anyone who wants full control for free.

Best for: Streamers and creators who want a free, flexible recorder and are willing to learn it.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Completely free with no watermark or time limits
  • Scene and source system handles complex multi-camera setups
  • Large plugin ecosystem and active community

Why people leave

  • Steep learning curve for a quick screen capture
  • No built-in editor or link sharing
  • Settings for encoders and bitrates can confuse beginners

Top OBS Studio alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1ShareX logo
    ShareX

    Lighter free Windows tool for quick recordings and GIFs, without scenes to set up.

    66.5
  2. 2Bandicam logo
    Bandicam

    Simpler Windows recorder for gameplay and screen capture with a lighter footprint.

    62.6
  3. 3SimpleScreenRecorder logo
    SimpleScreenRecorder

    A minimal free Linux recorder for people who only need to capture, not stream.

    59.6
  4. 4Camtasia logo
    Camtasia

    Paid recorder with a full editor built in, so recordings can be finished in one app.

    57.2
  5. 5Medal logo
    Medal

    Gamers who only want instant clips of great moments get that with far less setup.

    55.3

Why people left OBS Studio

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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OBS Studio: common questions

Is OBS Studio free?

Yes. OBS Studio is free, open-source software.

Is OBS Studio open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at obsproject/obs-studio.

What platforms does OBS Studio run on?

OBS Studio is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to OBS Studio?

The highest-ranked OBS Studio alternatives right now are ShareX, Bandicam and SimpleScreenRecorder. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 OBS Studio alternatives