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OBS Studio – Best Open Source Screen Recorder & Live Streaming Software

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File Information

FileDetails
Software NameOBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software Studio)
Latest Version31.1.2 (Latest official release)
Platforms SupportedWindows (10, 11), macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon), Linux (various distributions)
LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later (completely free & open source)
Download FormatsWindows: installer and zip; macOS: universal DMG for Intel and Apple Silicon; Linux: Flatpak, PPA, packages (DEB, RPM, TGZ)
Size180MB (May vary according to OS)
CategoryBest free alternative for professional live streaming and screen recording

Description

OBS Studio is the premier free and open source software for video recording and live streaming that professionals and content creators across the globe rely on. It offers powerful scene composition, high performance capturing, and flexible broadcasting, all without any cost. OBS Studio brings studio-quality tools to your desktop, whether you are streaming on Twitch, YouTube, or recording tutorials and webinars.

With a fully modular and dockable interface, OBS Studio lets you arrange your workspace exactly how you want it. You can mix multiple sources—window captures, video devices, browser inputs, images, text—into seamless scenes that you can switch between with custom transitions. The intuitive audio mixer gives per-source filters like noise suppression, gain control, and optional VST plugin support.

It supports both software and hardware encoding. You can choose from industry-standard encoders like x264, AV1, H.264, as well as hardware-accelerated options such as Intel Quick Sync, Nvidia NVENC, AMD VCE, and VAAPI. OBS also captures multiple audio tracks and works with formats like AAC, Opus, and more. It integrates perfectly into streaming pipelines.

Consistently ranked as the best free screen recorder overall, OBS Studio stands out for its unmatched flexibility, cross-platform support, and zero cost. If you want to stream live, record screencasts, or build advanced scene compositions without paying a monthly fee, OBS Studio is the clear top choice

Features of OBS Studio

  • Real time high performance video and audio capturing with powerful scene composition
  • Unlimited scenes and sources with custom transitions
  • Flexible audio mixer offering per-source filters like noise gate and suppression
  • Hardware and software encoding: x264, H264, AV1, Intel QSV, Nvidia NVENC, AMD VCE, VAAPI
  • Multiple output tracks and format options via libavcodec and FFmpeg
  • Modular dock UI that is fully customizable
  • Hotkeys for nearly any action: switch scenes, mute, start recording or streaming
  • Plugin support to extend functionality as needed
  • Cross-platform consistency—same experience on Windows, macOS, Linux

Screenshots

System Requirements

ComponentWindows (64 bit)macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)Linux (various distros)
OSWindows 10, 11macOS 10.13 or laterUbuntu 18.04 or newer, similar modern distributions
ProcessorDual-core Intel i5 or AMD FX or betterIntel 64-bit or Apple SiliconDual-core Intel/AMD x86-64 CPU or better
RAM4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended4 GB minimum, 8 GB+ recommended4 GB minimum, 8 GB+ recommended
GraphicsDirectX 10.1 capable GPU, or OpenGL 3.3+OpenGL 3.3+ or Metal engine via compatibilityOpenGL 3.3+ compatible GPU with proper drivers
StorageAt least 500 MB free (more for recordings)At least 500 MB freeAt least 500 MB free (additional for stream/video output)

How to Install OBS Studio ??

Before installation, scroll down to the Download section to grab the right file for your operating system.

Windows Installation

  1. Download the installer .exe from Download section
  2. Run the installer
  3. Complete on-screen prompts and open OBS Studio
  4. Optionally, run the Auto-Configuration Wizard to optimize for recording or streaming

macOS Installation

  1. Download the universal DMG for Intel and Apple Silicon
  2. Mount the disk image and drag OBS Studio into Applications
  3. Launch from Applications and run configuration wizard if prompted

Linux Installation (Ubuntu using .deb)

  1. Download the OBS Studio .deb package for Ubuntu.
  2. Open terminal and navigate to the folder containing the .deb file.
  3. Run the following command: sudo dpkg -i obs-studio*.deb sudo apt-get install -f
  4. Once installed, launch OBS Studio from Applications Menu or by typing obs in terminal.

OBS Studio: Best Open Source Streaming & Recording Software

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