saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

screen recorder · OBS Project

OBS Studio

Free, open-source recorder and live-streaming app for Windows, macOS and Linux, built around scenes made of several sources.

69/100

#3 of 9 screen recorders
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

OBS Studio suits people who want a free recorder with no watermark and no paid tier, on any of the three desktop systems1,2. Scenes can combine screen captures, webcams and other sources, and desktop audio and microphone are recorded by default1,4,5. The catch is everything after recording: OBS points to separate video editors, and it lists no link sharing or automatic captions of its own8,9.

Best for: People who want a free recorder with full control over sources and quality.

Where the points come from

Capture24 of 30
Editing and sharing0 of 25
Systems15 of 15
Price and licence30 of 30

Capture 24 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Webcam overlayYesScenes combine multiple sources, and the Video Capture Device source works with webcams1,4.6 / 6
System sound and microphoneYesBy default OBS Studio captures desktop audio and microphone5.6 / 6
4K recordingYesOBS's NVENC guide describes encoder defaults for resolutions of 2160p (4K) and above6.6 / 6
60 frames a secondYesThe common frame-rate list in video settings includes 59.94 and 607.6 / 6
Draw while recordingNot published0 / 6

Editing and sharing 0 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Built-in editorNoOBS's post-production page points to separate video editors for editing recordings8.0 / 8
Share by linkNot published0 / 8
Automatic captionsNot publishedNot published as a built-in feature. Plugins add features to OBS9.0 / 9

Systems 15 of 15 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Desktop systemsWindows, macOS, LinuxDownloads for Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 or newer, and Linux2.15 / 15

Price and licence 30 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free without watermark or time limitYesThe whole app is free and open source, with no paid edition to unlock1,3.12 / 12
First-year price$0Entirely free1.10 / 10
Open sourceYesSource code is public under the GNU GPL v2 or later3.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score screen recorders.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
OBS StudioAnyoneFree1,3$0Open source, no paid tier

Strengths

  • Free and open source under the GNU GPL, with no paid edition1,3.
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux2.
  • Scenes combine window captures, images, text and webcams or capture cards1,4.
  • Records desktop audio and microphone together by default5.
  • Encoding settings cover resolutions of 2160p (4K) and above6.

Limits

  • OBS's own guide sends you to separate apps to edit recordings8.
  • No built-in upload or share link is listed on its pages1.
  • Automatic captions are not a published built-in feature; extra features come from plugins9.
  • Many settings to learn, from encoder presets to output scaling6,7.

Other screen recorders

  1. 1
    BandicamGamers and tutorial makers who would rather pay once
    75/100
    $33.26/yrfirst-year price
  2. 2
    ScreenPalTeachers and teams who share short how-to videos by link
    74/100
    $48/yrfirst-year price
  3. 4
    SnagitPeople who mix screenshots and short screen videos for guides and feedback
    66/100
    $44.25/yrfirst-year price
  4. 5
    CamtasiaPeople who record tutorials and training videos and edit them in the same app
    65/100
    $204.13/yrfirst-year price

OBS Studio vs Bandicam · OBS Studio vs ScreenPal · All 9 screen recorders

Sources

  1. Open Broadcaster Software | OBS, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Download | OBS, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. obsproject/obs-studio, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Video Capture Sources | OBS, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Quick Start Guide, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Advanced NVENC Options (31.0), OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. OBSBasicSettings.ui (OBS Studio settings window source), OBS Project on GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Post Production Tools | OBS, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Plugins Guide | OBS, OBS Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: obsproject.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with OBS Project.