OBS Studio

Rank: #3 / 45
Score: 7.3
Price: Free
Runs on: Linux, Mac, Windows
Free plan: Yes

At a glance

OBS Studio is free, open-source software for recording video and live streaming on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It captures and mixes video and audio from sources such as windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and capture cards. Users can create unlimited scenes, switch between them with customizable transitions, and preview scenes before taking them live in Studio Mode. Multiview can monitor eight scenes. The audio mixer provides per-source filters, including noise gate, noise suppression, and gain, with support for VST plugins. Hotkeys control many streaming and recording actions. An API, native plugins, and Lua or Python scripts provide extension options. OBS supports streaming services including Twitch and YouTube; streams connect directly from the user's computer to the service. It is distributed under GPLv2 and may be used commercially subject to the license terms. Listed requirements include Windows 10 or 11, macOS 13.0 or newer, and Linux distribution through Flathub or an Ubuntu 24.04-or-newer PPA.

Who it is for

OBS suits players and communities who want to record gameplay or produce live streams with multiple scenes and sources. Its plugins, scripts, and audio controls also suit users who want to customize their setup.

What is good

Free and open source
Unlimited scenes with customizable transitions
Studio Mode previews scenes before going live
Supports VST plugins and Lua or Python scripts

What to know first

No browser-based studio
No multistreaming
macOS requires version 13.0 or newer

VGSources review

OBS Studio: the full review

OBS Studio offers scene-based recording and streaming with extensive audio controls and extension options. It is a desktop application, and its listed system requirements vary by operating system.

Overview

OBS Studio is free, open-source software for recording video and streaming live. It captures and mixes video and audio in real time, with scenes built from sources such as windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams and capture cards. It is a desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux, not a browser-based studio.

For game communities, OBS can bring gameplay, a webcam and other visual or audio sources into a scene, then switch between prepared scenes during a stream or recording. It supports popular streaming platforms, including Twitch and YouTube. OBS says streams connect directly from the user's computer to the streaming service rather than relying on OBS servers.

Key features

Scenes and production controls

OBS supports an unlimited number of scenes, with customizable transitions between them. You can also use your own stinger video files as transitions. Studio Mode lets you preview a scene and its sources before taking it live, while Multiview can monitor up to eight scenes at once. Hotkeys are available for many actions, including recording and streaming controls.

Audio and extensibility

The audio mixer provides per-source filters, including noise gate, noise suppression and gain controls, and supports VST plugins. OBS also offers an API for plugins and scripts, allowing added functionality and customization. Scripts can be written in Lua or Python.

OBS is released under GPLv2 and may be used commercially subject to the license terms. The project says its code is open for inspection and contributor-reviewed.

Pricing

OBS Studio is free and open source. Its listed plan is 0.00 USD per free, with no watermarks or usage limitations, and commercial use is permitted subject to the license terms. There is no free trial because the software is free.

Platforms

OBS Studio is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. The download information lists Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13.0 or newer, and Linux distribution through Flathub and an Ubuntu 24.04-or-newer PPA. A separate platform listing gives macOS 12.0 or newer, so check the current download information for the applicable macOS requirement.

OBS supports recording and live streaming, with a maximum resolution listed as 4K. The listed streaming mode is encoder-based. Browser studio and multistreaming are not supported; stream scheduling and looping or replaying streams are listed as supported.

Who it's for

OBS is suited to players and community organizers who want a free desktop tool for recording gameplay or streaming it alongside other sources. Scene previews, transitions and hotkeys are useful for managing a production with multiple layouts, while the audio mixer and plugin options provide room to tailor the setup. Its open-source licensing also permits commercial use under the license terms.

It may be less suitable if you need a browser-based studio or built-in multistreaming. OBS's listed workflow sends a stream directly from your computer to a streaming service, so it is a desktop production tool rather than a hosted studio.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free and open source, with no watermarks or usage limitations listed.
Pros: Supports unlimited scenes, custom transitions, Studio Mode previews and eight-scene Multiview monitoring.
Pros: Per-source audio filters, VST plugins, a plugin API, and Lua or Python scripting support.
Cons: It is not browser-based and does not support multistreaming.
Cons: The listed macOS minimum differs between the platform and system-requirements information.

Alternatives

For other game streaming options, browse Game streaming software. For tools focused on capture, see Game recording software. Alternatives listed in the directory include Streamster, PRISM Live Studio, Restream, SplitCam Multistream, Streamlabs Desktop, XSplit Broadcaster, DualStream Relay and LiveReacting.

Verdict

OBS Studio brings recording, live capture, scene switching and detailed audio controls together in a free, open-source desktop application. Its extensibility and production tools make it a strong fit for streamers who want control over how gameplay and other sources are mixed. The main limitations to weigh are its lack of browser-based operation and multistreaming, plus the need to confirm the macOS requirement before installation.

OBS Studio plans and pricing

All plans

OBS Studio Free No watermarks or usage limitations · can be used commercially obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on game streaming software

Free plan: Yesobsproject.com
Recording modes: video recording and live streamingobsproject.com
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac or Linuxobsproject.com

Facts

Browser-based studio: Noobsproject.com · 20 Sept 2026
Latest release: Version 32.2.2, released August 14th.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Windows support: Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
macOS support: Supports macOS 12.0 or newer.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Free open source: OBS Studio is free and open source.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Primary use: Used for video recording and live streaming.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Real-time capture: Provides high-performance real-time video and audio capturing and mixing.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Multiple sources: Scenes can include windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and capture cards.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Unlimited scenes: Supports an unlimited number of scenes with seamless switching.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Audio mixer: Includes an audio mixer with per-source filters.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
VST plugins: Supports VST plugins for audio control.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Streaming platforms: Supports favorite streaming platforms and more.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Custom transitions: Provides customizable transitions and supports user-provided stinger video files.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Action hotkeys: Hotkeys are available for many actions, including streaming and recording controls.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Studio Mode: Studio Mode previews scenes and sources before they go live.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Multiview monitoring: Multiview can monitor 8 different scenes.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Plugin API: A powerful API enables plugins and scripts for customization and added functionality.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Script languages: Scripts can be written with Lua or Python.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Support channels: Support resources include a knowledge base, Discord, forums, and help portal.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Project ownership: OBS and OBS Studio are open source projects created and maintained by Lain.obsproject.com · 27 Sept 2026
Purpose: OBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Scenes and sources: It captures and mixes video and audio from sources including windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and capture cards.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Scene switching: Users can set up an unlimited number of scenes and switch between them with custom transitions.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Audio tools: The audio mixer provides per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression, and gain, with VST plugin support.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Production controls: Studio Mode lets users preview scenes and sources before taking them live, and Multiview can monitor eight scenes.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Extensibility: OBS Studio provides an API and supports native plugins plus Lua or Python scripts.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Streaming destinations: OBS states that it supports popular streaming platforms; its help page identifies Twitch and YouTube as examples of streaming services.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Licensing and commercial use: OBS is distributed under GPLv2 and may be used commercially without restrictions, subject to the license terms.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Security: OBS says its code is open for inspection and contributor-reviewed, and that downloads from its website are free of malware.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Network behavior: OBS says streams connect directly from the user's computer to the streaming service and do not depend on OBS servers.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
Support: Support options include a knowledge base, volunteer Discord support, community forums, and developer documentation.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026
System requirements: The download page lists Windows 10 and 11 support, macOS 13.0 or newer, and Linux distribution through Flathub and an Ubuntu 24.04-or-newer PPA.obsproject.com · 29 Sept 2026