OBS Studio — Free, open-source software for screen recording and live streaming, with unlimited scenes, an audio mixer, and plugin support.
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
OBS Studio screenshots & video
OBS Studio in 20 seconds
Best for: streamers and content creators who want a free, unlimited-scene streaming and recording tool without subscription fees or watermarks
Pricing: Completely free and open source, no paid tier.
- OBS Studio is free and open source under the GPL-2.0 license with no paid tier.
- OBS Studio supports unlimited scenes and sources including windows, webcams, and capture cards.
- OBS Studio has over 75,000 stars on GitHub.
- OBS Studio runs on Windows 10/11, macOS 12.0+, and Linux.
Limitations: No guided setup wizard or built-in overlay store, unlike paid alternatives such as Streamlabs.; Initial configuration has a real learning curve for first-time streamers.
Top alternatives: Streamlabs, XSplit, Wirecast — full list
What is OBS Studio?
OBS Studio is free, open-source software for capturing, compositing, encoding, recording, and streaming video and audio. It is maintained by the OBS Project, a community-run nonprofit effort rather than a commercial vendor. The application works by combining multiple "sources" (application windows, full monitors, webcams, capture cards, images, text, or browser-rendered content) into "scenes" that can be switched between in real time, with transitions, hotkeys, and a professional audio mixer with per-source filters like noise gate and noise suppression, plus VST plugin support. Studio Mode provides a preview area to set up the next scene before pushing it live. OBS Studio is entirely free under the GPL-2.0 license, with no paid tier, subscription, or account required; it is extensible through Lua and Python scripting and a large ecosystem of third-party plugins for things like virtual cameras, additional capture sources, and stream-deck-style hardware integration.
OBS Studio is a free, open-source (GPL-2.0) application for capturing, compositing, and streaming or recording video and audio, run by the community-driven OBS Project. It captures from windows, monitors, images, text, browser sources, webcams, and capture cards, then composites them into unlimited customizable scenes with real-time transitions, and streams directly to platforms like Twitch and YouTube or records locally. Its audio mixer includes per-source filters (noise gate, noise suppression, gain) and VST plugin support, and Studio Mode lets streamers preview a scene before it goes live; the software has no paid tier, license fee, or account requirement. OBS Studio runs on Windows 10/11, macOS 12.0+, and Linux, and extends through Lua and Python scripting plus a large third-party plugin ecosystem, competing with paid tools like Streamlabs and Wirecast for streamers and content creators.
Standout feature: Unlimited customizable scenes and sources with a full audio mixer and VST plugin support, all free and open source with no watermark or paywalled features.
Biggest weakness: The interface and initial setup (scene collections, sources, encoder settings, audio routing) have a real learning curve for first-time users compared to opinionated paid tools like Streamlabs that ship with guided setup wizards and built-in overlay stores.
Pros
- Completely free and open source with no watermark, subscription, or account requirement.
- Unlimited scenes and sources, including windows, monitors, webcams, capture cards, browser sources, and text.
- Professional audio mixer with per-source filters and VST plugin support.
- Extensible through Lua and Python scripting and a large third-party plugin ecosystem.
Cons
- No built-in guided setup wizard or overlay store, unlike paid competitors such as Streamlabs.
- Initial configuration of encoders, scenes, and audio routing has a real learning curve for first-time streamers.
- No official cloud backup or sync for scene collections and settings across machines.
- Community-driven support (forums, Discord) rather than dedicated commercial customer support.
OBS Studio pricing
Free · verified from the vendor's pricing page
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Completely free and open source; no paid tier, subscription, or account required. |
What reviewers say
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