OBS, Open Broadcast Software, is one of the first free and open-source software that amazes its users with its feature-rich gameplay and live recording.

But the tricky interface and the complicated settings can be hard to handle for beginners or people with low technical knowledge. Besides, some users may need noise suppression in OBS Studio. As it’s not like OBS is the only studio available, what is a better alternative to OBS?

This guide will show you the 16 best OBS studio alternatives, highlighting their pros and cons, supporting systems, etc. Moreover, we’ll also mention which group of people will benefit greatly by using each one of these tools. So let’s begin…

OBS Studio Alternatives – Comparison Table

Top 16 OBS Studio Alternatives

FocuSee

FocuSee is a screen recording software that aims to improve your focus and productivity. It is designed to help you stay focused on your screen recording tasks and minimize distractions.

Key Features:

• Creating a demo, promo, tutorial, marketing, and zoom-in video becomes effortless with its ability to record your screen, audio, and webcam simultaneously or separately.
• You can easily enhance the demo video visibility by applying mouse styles, resizing the mouse cursor, highlighting its position, or using mouse-clicking animation.
• When you click on specific parts in the video, it can automatically apply a smooth zoom-in effect to bring them into focus. 
• You can select the selfie and screen layout that best suits your purpose: side-by-side, overlay, or screen-only.
• Trim, cut, crop, speed up, or slow down specific portions. Make your video concise and clear.

Pros

• Works well both on Windows and macOS
• Auto zoom in and out features to help your recordings focus on the key points easily

Cons

• No web version is available

Price: It is available as a one-time purchase for $69.99- 1 computer, $95.99 – 2 computer and 179.99 -5 computer.

Supported system:  Windows & macOS

FocuSee vs OBS Studio

If you want to improve your focus and productivity when recording screen, without further ado, just free download FoceSee to have a try. It is easier to use than OBS Studio for beginners.

Get It Free

Camtasia

Camtasia by TechSmith, is one of the best all-in-one screen recorders and video editors. It is an OBS studio similar software. It not only allows you to record your screen, but you can also record a webcam with both a microphone and system audio. So making professional-looking videos in no time is what Camtasia is best at.

Pros

• Easy to use interface that even beginners without any technical knowledge.
• Amazing templates and music to make a polished video.
• Working best for teachers making online video lectures: Powerpoint presentations can also be transformed into a video.
• Over 100 transitions and incredible animations to make a polished video.
• Share your videos directly to Youtube, Vimeo, Screencast, or many more places.

Cons

• Camtasia can only make pre-recorded videos, so live streaming is not supported.
• A TechSmith watermark is added during the free trial.

Price: It is available as a one-time purchase for only US$299.99 with a money-back guarantee of 30 days. You can also get a 30Day Free Trial before your purchase.

Supported system: Camtasia is computer software available for both Windows and Mac computers.

Camtasia vs OBS Studio

So, if you are a beginner and are looking for a gameplay recording with excellent post-recording tools, then Camtasia is the one you need. But if you want free live streaming, then OBS studio is a better option.

Bandicam

Bandicam screen recorder is a lightweight and intuitive screen capturing software allowing both screenshots and screen recording. So make video tutorials, webcam overlay, audio recordings, or gameplay recordings in just a few simple clicks.

You can record full screen or a specific screen area of the screen with the webcam or alone. On top of that, both internal and external audio can be recorded to make your videos more interesting.

Pros

• A long-term recording option for even 24 hours is also available in the Paid version.
• Moreover, it also offers the feature of Scheduled recording.
• Real-time drawing during the recording makes some quality video.
• A high-resolution 4K screen recording can also be made.

Cons

• Live streaming is not supported.
• Only MP4 and AVI video formats are supported.
• Watermarks and a time limit of 10min/video in the Free version.

Price: The Bandicam license can be acquired with a one-time purchase of 39.95$ for a single PC and 59.96$ for two PCs.

Supported system: Only Windows OS is supported.

Bandicam vs OBS Studio

Bandicam screen recorder is one of the favorite OBS studio alternatives for gamers looking to make long, high-quality 4K video of their gameplay. But live-streamers gotta use OBS studio for their streaming.

Gemoo Recorder

The first OBS studio alternative we are gonna discuss is the Gemoo Recorder. If you want to create video tutorials and online courses, if you want to market your business to online customers, or record new moves in your favorite game, then Gemoo Recorder can help you. With 4 recording modes, you can choose to record Screen & Camera, Camera Only, Screen Only and Audio Only.

Get It Free

Pros

• Automatically upload to the cloud – Automatically store all your recorded videos in the cloud, 100% safe and secure.
• Camera filters and visual background – When recording screen with your webcam, you choose some of your favorite images as your avatar, use the camera with different filters, and add various virtual backgrounds to hide your real location.
• Amplify your idea – Insert shapes, text, memes or other notes during recording. Express your thoughts more clearly.
• Add funny GIFs – Catch your audience’s attention and keep them entertained with all the popular GIFs in Gemoo Recorder.
• Work well with most computers – Support to record of Mac, Windows and other low end PC.

Price: Free

Supported system: Web, Windows and macOS.

XSplit Broadcaster

XSplit Broadcaster is one of the most famous OBS studio alternatives providing live streaming on par with the OBS studio. Both gameplay recording and live streaming can be done with XSplit Broadcaster with much more ease than on OBS studio. Moreover, you can enjoy limitless customization and many source transitions in the Premium Version.

Pros

• You can live stream your videos directly to popular streaming sites like Youtube, Facebook, or Twitch.
• A built-in chat plugin and a browser source are specially designed for streamers to add web pages to their live stream.
• Streaming a podcast is also possible.
• You can make a solo camera stream or stream with multiple participants.

Cons

• No built-in video editor is available.
• Adds a watermark in the Free version.

Price:

The XSplit Broadcaster’s license can be purchased for one month, one year, or a lifetime. It comes in three different packages: VCam Premium – 30 US$ / Year; Broadcaster Premium – 60 US$ / Year; Premium Bundle – 70 US$ / Year. You can also check the detailed pricing.

Supported system: Both Windows and Mac OS are supported.

XSplit Broadcaster vs OBS Studio

XSplit Broadcaster is a feature-rich tool providing much more features like Green screen technology and Webcam overlays with a very friendly interface. But the downside is that you have to purchase its license to access all those fantastic features while OBS is available totally free.

ShareX

Like the OBS studio, ShareX is a free, open-source screen capturing and recording tool. It’s robust capturing and editing tools specialize in taking high-quality screenshots and screen recordings. But the process can be a little tricky and complex, so it’s not suited for beginners.

Pros

• Leaves no watermark on the videos.
• You can control its features more easily by programming Hot Keys.
• More than 80 destinations, like image uploaders, URL shorteners, and many more, are supported by ShareX.
• You can also extract text from the images with its text-capturing feature and use them however you want.
• On top of that, scrolling screenshots can also be taken with its scroll capture feature.

Cons

• Doesn’t support webcam recording.
• Can’t livestream using this software.

Price: It’s totally free for everyone to use. Just download and install the program for some professional-looking gameplay recording and live streaming.

Supported system: ShareX is open-source software for only Windows OS users.

ShareX vs OBS Studio

If you are a Windows user and are proficient in handling complex screen recording tools, then ShareX is an incredible OBS studio alternative made just for you. But if you want a simple live-streaming software or use an OS other than Windows like Mac or Linux, then choose OBS studio.

Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is also widely pursued having more than a million users worldwide. It provides not only a screen recorder but also a free video editing tool for shaping your video as required. The built-in music and caption library of the screen recorder, available only in the paid version, makes the video worth watching.

Pros

• Provides a user-friendly interface.
• You can record unlimited videos even in the Free version.
• An android app is also available for gameplay recording on mobile phones.

Cons

• The screen recorder leaves a watermark in the Free version.
• It has a time limit of 15min/video for recording in the Free version.

Price:

A Free version of the software is also available, but the full version must be purchased to access all the premium features. It comes in three packages: SOLO DELUX- 4 US$/ month for business and 2 US$/month for education; SOLO PREMIER-6 US$/month for business and 4 US$/month for education; TEAM- 8 US$/month/creator for business and 2 US$/month/creator for education. All the prices are collected on an annual base.

Supported system: It works in Windows, Mac, and Android OS. Moreover, it also works on Chromebooks.

Screencast-O-Matic vs OBS Studio

Screencast-O-Matic is a simple and straightforward screen recording tool, excellent for beginners looking to make gameplay recording with few easy clicks. But OBS studio is still better for live-streaming.

vMix

vMix in itself is an extraordinary high-end studio with both live-streaming and recording features. And most of all, vMix allows 8 people onboard the stream, and you can make up to 3 live streams at the same time. Amazing right? Upload these streams directly to Facebook Live, Stream, Twitch, or other popular streaming sites.

Pros

• All the popular video formats are supported like MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, MXF, H264, and many others.
• Live-streaming of even 4K videos is also supported.
• A Free Trial for the whole 60 days is available for everyone.
• Its Live mixing and switching feature makes it an amazing streamer tool.

Cons

• A lot of bandwidth is used by this tool.
• The interface can get a little complicated for beginners.

Price: The license of vMix comes in a lot of variety, each unlocking some of its features from the huge arsenal. Here are the 4 editions to get the license for a lifetime: BASIC HD- 60 US$; HD- 350 US$; 4K- 700 US$; PRO- 1200US$. But you can also gain all of the PRO features with the SUBSCRIPTION LICENSE for 50 US$/month.

Supported system: It is only supported with Windows OS.

vMix vs OBS Studio

vMix works best for people looking to make some high-quality, 4K live streaming along with multiple camera inputs and many other features. Gaining full feature access can be a little expensive, but believe me, it’s worth it.

But since vMix works only in Windows OS, if you are a Mac or Linux user or have a low budget, then OBS is the obvious choice, providing all its features free and available to most operating systems.

Streamlabs OBS

Streamlabs OBS is an all-in-one, free, and open-source OBS Studio alternative that gives easy access to the full live-streaming features. It can record both the webcam and screen display simultaneously and share the stream to Youtube, Facebook, Twitch, or other sites.

Pros

• You can personalize your layout with the pro overlays.
• Amazing themes are available to make professional-looking streaming.
• Multistreaming to different platforms simultaneously is also possible in the PRIME Version.
• The visual alert and chat box feature can be easily customized to recognize and interact with every supporter.
• Its video editing tool is perfect for making polished highlights of the stream.

Cons

• Its CPU usage is considerably large.
• Do not support sound commands.

Price: There’s a FREE version of Streamlabs readily available for everyone, but the PRIME Versionneeds to be purchased, and the price can be known by contacting the Streamlabs team.

Supported system: Streamlabs run flawlessly on both Windows and Mac OS.

Streamlabs OBS vs OBS Studio

Both OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS are free and open-source live streaming softwares. But apart from the fact that CPU usage of Streamlabs OBS is more than the OBS Studio, it provides more extraordinary features and comparatively easy handling of the streaming.

So if you have an advanced PC that can easily handle heavy softwares, go for the Streamlabs OBS for your live streaming.

Tips: You may want to record audio from YouTube for saving, and without having to download the whole video.

CloudApp

If you are looking for a simple OBS Studio alternative with an easy-to-use interface for gameplay recording and live-streaming, then CloudApp Live Stream Screen Recorder has got you covered. You can record the full screen or any part of the screen, either alone or with a webcam, and share it easily by making a link with some simple clicks of the mouse.

Pros

• High-quality 4K videos can be made with a few easy clicks in the Pro version.
• A 14 Day Free Trial of the Pro version is available.
• Simple video editing features, like adding annotation during the recording is available.
• Shortcut keys can be customized for easy screen recording.

Cons

• A time limit of 1 min & 30 second/video in the Free Version.
• Only 25 recordings can be made in the Free Version.

Price: There’s a Free Version available, and the Paid Version comes in three packages: INDIVIDUAL – Starting at 9.95 US$/month; TEAM – Starting at 8 US$/month/user (minimum 3 users); ENTERPRISE – Contact CloudApp customer services to find the price.

Supported system: It works equally on both Windows and Mac OS. Moreover, it also works on Chromebooks.

CloudApp vs OBS Studio

For beginners with limited technical knowledge, the CloudApp, with its simple interface, is a good OBS Studio alternative, especially if you are making gameplay recordings or video lectures or tutorials, recording discord audio and video.

Lightstream Studio

Lightstream Studio is a cloud-powered gameplay recording and live-streaming OBS Studio alternative. It even allows gamers to stream their gameplay from Xbox or PlayStation in a hassle-free manner. Apart from gamers, the content creators can also easily make live streaming directly to Facebook, Youtube, or Twitch within minutes with this cloud-based Studio.

Pros

• No download or installation is required.
• Captions and titles can be easily added to the streams.
• The stream can be controlled by using a mobile phone as a remote control.
• Multiple guests can be invited with the stream link without any hassle.
• Most of all, Lightstream Studio can be integrated with other streaming tools like Streamlabs to improve the functionality of the studio.

Cons

• Only a 7 Day Free Trial is available before getting the subscription.
• 1080p resolution streaming is only available with the most expensive plan.

Price: The price of the Lightstream Studio varies depending upon the maximum resolution of the recorded video.

Supported system: The Lightstream Studio is a cloud-based streaming tool, and it works perfectly with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Chromebooks, or any other OS with just a stable internet connection and the latest version of the browser.

Lightstream Studio vs OBS Studio

If you are tired of downloading and installing heavy softwares on your computer, then Lightstream Studio may be the best bet you can get. You can make professional-looking streams with minimal CPU usage with this cloud computing system.

Movavi Screen Recorder

Movavi Screen Recorder is also a prevalent OBS Studio alternative in the gamers community in more than 170 countries. The intuitive and user-friendly interface of this software makes it easy to take screenshots and screen recordings of gameplay with both microphone and system audio.

Pros

• Full HD or 4K recordings can be easily made with a few simple clicks.
• The recorded videos can be polished with simple video editing tools.
• A wide range of video formats is supported in Movavi Screen Recorder.
• The Scheduled recording helps plan the video lectures or tutorials ahead of time.

Cons

• A time limit of 5min/video and a watermark in the Free Trial.
• Live streaming is not supported.

Price: You can purchase the full version with a one-time fee of only 59.95 US$.

Supported system: This Screen Recorder is available for both Windows and Mac OS.

Movavi Screen Recorder vs OBS Studio

The Movavi Screen Recorder is not only easier to install and use than the OBS Studio, but it also provides a better quality of ongoing products. So this screen recorder is popular with gamers. But streamers prefer OBS Studio for their live-streaming.

Gamecaster

The next OBS Studio alternative we’ll be discussing is the Gamecaster, a specialized gameplay recording, and broadcasting tool. It automatically detects any game running, and you can easily record it with a single click. Moreover, you can find popular streamers all over the world through the Discovery feature of Gamecaster.

Pros

• The recorded history can be easily managed and controlled.
• You can broadcast your gameplay directly to Twitch, Facebook, Youtube, etc.
• Hundreds of themes are available to make the gameplay interactive.
• Edit the studio layout according to your taste.

Cons

• Leaves a watermark in the Free Version.
• There are a few bugs that create difficulty in the usage of Gamecaster.

Price: There’s a Free Version available on the internet containing all the essential features one may need, but it can also be upgraded to the Pro Version, 95 US$/month; 95 US$/Year.

Supported system: Only Windows OS is supported.

Gamecaster vs OBS Studio

If a new streamer is looking for a simple gameplay recording and streaming tool, then Gamecaster is an effective solution. It Is not only Free of cost but also provides all the features necessary for the live-streaming.

Nvidia Shadow Play

Nvidia ShadowPlay is a free screen recording and streaming tool that works best with the GeForce graphics card. It allows you to record the screen and the webcam while minimally affecting the CPU usage, thus procuring smooth gameplay while recording. You can also play the instant replay with just a single click.

Pros

• Its interactive interface makes it easy to record the gameplay.
• You can live broadcast your gaming experience to Facebook Live, Youtube, or Twitch.
• It’s lightweight software with low CPU usage.

Cons

• You can’t record and stream your gameplay at the same time.
• You must have a GeForce graphics card on your device to get the best out of Nividia ShadowPlay.

Price: It’s totally free!

Supported system: It works only in Windows OS.

Nvidia ShadowPlay vs OBS Studio

Suppose you want an OBS Studio alternative with a cool interface and only simple gameplay recording or streaming. In that case, Nividia ShadowPlay can be a good option, especially for those having a GeForce graphics card on a Windows computer. But for professional streamers and gamers, OBS can be a better option if they know what to do and how to handle it.

Wirecast

Wirecast is a live video streaming production software developed by Telestream. It allows users to capture, produce, and stream live events from their computers to different platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.

Pros

• Support for multiple cameras and sources, real-time switching, transitions, and effects, chroma key, audio mixing, and more.
• It is widely used for live streaming of sports, news, concerts, conferences, and other events.
• Available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Cons

• The price can be quite high for some users, especially for those who are just starting out with live streaming.
• Wirecast requires a powerful computer to run smoothly.
• The free version of Wirecast does not include technical support, and the paid version has limited support options.

Pricing: $599- $799

Supported system: It works both on macOS and Windows OS.

FFsplit

Last but not least, FFsplit is a free and open-source live streaming and recording software designed for Windows operating systems. It allows users to capture and broadcast live events from their computer to different platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.

Pros

• It is entirely free to use and open-source.
• Support for multiple sources, such as webcam, microphone, and game capture, customizable overlays, transitions, and effects.
• FFsplit is relatively lightweight and requires fewer system resources than some other streaming software options, making it a good choice for users with less powerful computers.

Cons

• Lack some of the more advanced features and technical support options that are available in other paid software options.
• Some users have reported stability issues with FFsplit, such as crashes or performance issues, which may affect the quality of the stream or recording.
• FFsplit may be a good option for users who are looking for free and lightweight streaming software but may not be the best choice for more advanced or demanding live streaming needs.

Price: It’s totally free!

Supported system: It works only in Windows OS.

Now that we have seen all these fantastic OBS Studio alternatives let’s see some frequently asked questions about OBS studio alternatives.

FAQs on OBS Studio Alternatives

What are the best alternatives to OBS?

This question doesn’t hold a specific answer because different people have different requirements for which they are looking for an OBS Studio alternative. Moreover, every OBS studio alternative discussed in this article excels in some aspects from others while lacking some features you may be looking for.

So look at the Summary of every software in this guide and find the best OBS Studio alternative that fulfills all your requirements.

Is CloudApp better for gameplay recording than OBS Studio?

As far as gameplay recording is concerned, OBS Studio takes the lead if we consider user reviews. But CloudApp is popular for recording Discord audios and videos.

Check out this list of CloudApp alternatives for discord audio/video recording.

What is the best alternative to OBS for streaming?

Various software can be used as an OBS Studio alternative in this post, but we recommend using Streamlabs OBS if you have an advanced computer that can bear the heavy CPU load of Streamlabs OBS. Because it’s a free and open-source tool specialized in live-streaming and provides more incredible features and easy control of the recording than OBS studio.

Apart from the Streamlabs OBS, v MIx is also an excellent option for people with deep pockets. The PRO version of vMIx provides some of the highest quality live-streaming, even better than the OBS studio, but that is if you can purchase the PRO version.

Lastly, for those looking for a lightweight and cloud-based streaming tool as an OBS Studio alternative, then Lightstream Studio can come in handy.

What is Streamlabs OBS?

Streamlabs OBS is a free and user-friendly live streaming software that is based on OBS Studio. It offers a variety of features such as customizable overlays, alerts, and widgets, and is specifically designed for streamers.

Final Words

For gamers, recording their gameplay is an irreplaceable experience for finding strategies and weaknesses to overcome many trials and stages. Moreover, live streaming of gameplay and other content is also increasing day by day to gain popularity and even to make money. This guide lists the 12 best OBS alternatives, all with unique features and benefits for gameplay recording and live streaming.

So which OBS alternative did you select? Is there any other OBS alternative you know that could be a better option? Share your thoughts in the comments section.