The Best Free OBS Studio AlternativesTop Screen Recorders & Screen Casting Tools like OBS Studio

The best free alternative to OBS Studio is SimpleScreenRecorder, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to OBS Studio and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to OBS Studio are XSplit Broadcaster, OpenScreen, GPU Screen Recorder and Bandicam.

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OBS Studio alternatives are mainly Screen Recorders, but if you're looking for Screenshot Capture Tools or Screen Casting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Linux, iPad, Free, Windows, Screen Recording and Mac. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to OBS Studio.
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Alternatives list

  1. SimpleScreenRecorder icon

    SimpleScreenRecorder

     148 likes

    SimpleScreenRecorder is a Linux screen recorder that supports X11 and OpenGL. It is easy to use, feature-rich, and has a Qt-based graphical user interface. It can record the entire screen or part of it, or record OpenGL applications directly.

    141 SimpleScreenRecorder alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SimpleScreenRecorder screenshot 1
     
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    8
    Comments about SimpleScreenRecorder as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    Top Positive Comment
    David
    5

    It doesn't live stream like OBS but it's straightforward, fast and easy to use for recording videos of the screen.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    2

    SimpleScreenRecorder is only used for offline screenrecording, not livestreaming.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SevenTalents
    Positive
    0

    The OG of the streaming world and yet it still continues to lead the pack!

    3 of 8 comments
    SimpleScreenRecorder icon
    SimpleScreenRecorder icon
    • SimpleScreenRecorder is Free and Open SourceOBS Studio is also Free and Open Source
  2. XSplit Broadcaster icon

    XSplit Broadcaster

     58 likes

    Comprehensive streaming studio encompassing scenes setup, cross-platform compatibility, multi-output recording, advanced audio management, and import tools, suitable for gaming, events, and communication integration through screen captures.

    48 XSplit Broadcaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XSplit Broadcaster screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about XSplit Broadcaster as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    7

    Lots of live-streamers use both XSplit and OBS to achieve the same goal

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Fantastic tool, but it's not available on linux and mac unlike obs which is available on all 3 major platforms

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -4

    But it don't works on a mac osx! :(

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    XSplit Broadcaster icon
    XSplit Broadcaster icon
    • XSplit Broadcaster is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
  4. OpenScreen icon

    OpenScreen

     35 likes

    Create stunning screen recordings for free. Open-source, no subscriptions, no watermarks, and free for commercial use. An alternative to Screen Studio.

    55 OpenScreen alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenScreen screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
  7. Bandicam icon

    Bandicam

     130 likes

    Bandicam is a lightweight screen recorder for Windows that can capture anything on your PC screen. Also, it makes it possible to record a certain area on a PC screen, or capture a game.

    158 Bandicam alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Get Started
     
    |
    4
    Comments about Bandicam as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    JustanotherMalaysian
    Positive
    2

    It may not have much benefits compared to OBS. But it is a classic. Remember the days of videos with the Bandicam watermark at the top?

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It captures screen is a very easy way. No conflicts with GeForce or any other device.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    awsomecat1234321
    Positive
    1

    It is easy to use, but it is Shareware so you can only record up to 10 minutes and there is a big watermark

    3 of 4 comments
    Bandicam icon
    Bandicam icon
    • Bandicam is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
  8. Streamlabs Desktop icon

    Streamlabs Desktop

     43 likes

    Streamlabs Desktop is all you need for streaming! Our developers have combined a streamer's essentials like video preview, dashboard, and chat windows in one app with better video quality and lower CPU usage.

    33 Streamlabs Desktop alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    Comments about Streamlabs Desktop as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    Top Positive Comment
    tangycandy
    0

    I could never get OBS Studio to work, and it slowed down my Windows PC terribly. Streamlabs is a fantastic alternative.

    Top Negative Comment
    Ituaf
    2

    Adds a ton of features that aren't needed for the software, which in turn uses more resources. Even if you believe it to be more convenient, the payoff is simply not worth it. The average OBS user doesn't require many of these features, so this would make a poor choice as an alternative to OBS. 

    ThatSourMelon
    Negative
    2

    Since OBS Studio is open-source, the people who made this software copied the source code, added a new skin to it, and then they added some features that could be added to OBS Studio through plugins, removed some important features, and added micro-transactions. This is just a monetized OBS Studio that uses more resources, there's NO reason to use this over OBS Studio and something like StreamElements.

    3 of 7 comments
    Streamlabs Desktop icon
    Streamlabs Desktop icon
    • Streamlabs Desktop is Freemium and Open SourceOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
  10. VokoscreenNG icon

    VokoscreenNG

     72 likes

    VokoscreenNG is a user friendly screencaster for Linux and Windows. It is a continuation of the now discontinued Vokoscreen project that has been totally rewritten from scratch using Qt and GStreamer.

    171 VokoscreenNG alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    VokoscreenNG screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Comments about VokoscreenNG as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    apranaxfort
    Positive
    3

    It's easier to use especially for some simple recordings you don't need to setup scenes like you do in OBS.

    somerandomperson
    Negative
    0

    It has very limited functionality (such as no audio recording) if you use wayland.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    VokoscreenNG icon
    VokoscreenNG icon
    • VokoscreenNG is Free and Open SourceOBS Studio is also Free and Open Source
  11. Nvidia App icon

    Nvidia App

     27 likes

    The NVIDIA app updates your PC with the latest drivers and technology, optimizes games and applications through a unified GPU control center, provides recording tools via in-game overlay, and highlights the latest NVIDIA tools and software.

    23 Nvidia App alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Nvidia App screenshot 1
     
  12. Prism Live Studio icon

    Prism Live Studio

     14 likes

    Prism Live Studio is an app with which you can multistream to platforms(youtube, twitch, periscope and so on) and add AR masks, graphic effects, and media files to your streams and videos. Supporting various environment(iOS, Android, PC).

    33 Prism Live Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    Prism Live Studio screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Prism Live Studio as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    tangycandy
    Positive
    -1

    Here are some advantages that Prism has over OBS:

    • Control from your phone (built in)
    • text effects
    • widgets
    • virtual background
    • beauty effects
    • drawing mode -stickers
    • music playlist

    That said, I find that my computer lags a lot using this software, and the documentation isn't the best. I prefer Streamlabs for most of my work.

    Prism Live Studio icon
    Prism Live Studio icon
    • Prism Live Studio is Free and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
  13. Kooha icon

    Kooha

     21 likes

    Capture your screen in an intuitive and straightforward way without distractions.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Interface prior to Recording
     
  14. Cap icon

    Cap

     23 likes

    Open-source tool for screen and camera capture with 4K recording, timeline editor, instant sharing via links, privacy controls, no signup, multiple layouts, custom branding, cursor options, threaded comments, self-hosting, and paid AI-powered features available.

    92 Cap alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Cap screenshot 1
     
  15. Camtasia icon

    Camtasia

     233 likes

    This all-in-one solution offers screen and webcam recording, video editing, and chroma key features, producing stunning HD-quality content easily shareable on platforms like YouTube and Screencast.com. Designed for training, presentations, and more, it supports H.264 format and compact file sizes.

    268 Camtasia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Camtasia screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Camtasia as an Alternative to OBS Studio
    Guest
    Negative
    8

    Camtasia isn't for live broadcast.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Camtasia icon
    Camtasia icon
    • Camtasia is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
12 of 147 OBS Studio alternatives