OBS Studio is free, open source, and does essentially everything: scene composition, multiple sources, transitions, and streaming to any RTMP endpoint. It is the tool most streamers and tutorial makers use. The plugin ecosystem covers recording quality, virtual cameras, and advanced audio routing.
Who it is for
A tutorial creator or streamer who needs one tool for recording and going live.
Key features
- Scene composition with multiple sources
- Streams to any RTMP endpoint
- Local recording at high bitrate
- Virtual camera output for calls
- Audio routing with filters
- Plugin ecosystem for extra sources
Where it falls short
The interface assumes you know what you are doing, and initial scene setup takes an evening to get right.
Pricing
Free and open source with no paid tier; plugins are mostly free, and there is no hosted service to buy.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on OBS Studio.
Alternatives to OBS Studio
Frequently asked
Is OBS Studio free?
Yes. Free and open source with no paid tier; plugins are mostly free, and there is no hosted service to buy.
What is OBS Studio best for?
A tutorial creator or streamer who needs one tool for recording and going live.
What are the best alternatives to OBS Studio?
The closest substitutes we list are Riverside. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does OBS Studio run on?
OBS Studio is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.