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	StreamElements SE.Live
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows	Windows, macOS
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Custom RTMP output	—	Yes

OBS Studio vs StreamElements SE.Live

OBS Studio

StreamElements SE.Live