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, Recordly 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, Screen Recording, Online + Free, Windows + Free and Free. 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

     154 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.

    167 SimpleScreenRecorder alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SimpleScreenRecorder screenshot 1
     
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    8
    SimpleScreenRecorder vs OBS Studio Comments
    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.

    SevenTalents
    Positive
    0

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

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

    XSplit Broadcaster

     59 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.

    54 XSplit Broadcaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XSplit Broadcaster screenshot 1
     
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    3
    XSplit Broadcaster vs OBS Studio Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    7

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

    Guest
    Positive
    2

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

    Guest
    Positive
    -5

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

    • XSplit Broadcaster is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
    • XSplit Broadcaster is a Live Streaming OBS Studio is a Screen Recording
  4. OpenScreen icon

    OpenScreen

     58 likes

    Open-source, no-cost screen recorder with no watermarks, supporting entire screen or app capture, manual zoom, smooth pan, custom backgrounds, cropping, motion blur, and direct use in browser for product demos, tutorials, and commercial purposes.

    86 OpenScreen alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenScreen screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Cap icon
    Cap

    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 pa...

    https://cap.so
    Learn More
  6. Recordly icon

    Recordly

     40 likes

    Free open-source screen recorder for macOS and Windows featuring auto-zoom, smooth cursor animations, MP4 and GIF export, timeline trimming, speed changes, annotations, frame styling options, advanced audio capture, and substantial OpenScreen modifications.

    75 Recordly alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Recordly screenshot 1
     
  8. Bandicam icon

    Bandicam

     139 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.

    182 Bandicam alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Get Started
     
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    4
    Bandicam vs OBS Studio Comments
    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.

    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 is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
  10. Streamlabs Desktop icon

    Streamlabs Desktop

     45 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.

    38 Streamlabs Desktop alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 1
     
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    7
    Streamlabs Desktop vs OBS Studio Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
    • Streamlabs Desktop is a Live Streaming OBS Studio is a Screen Recording
  11. VokoscreenNG icon

    VokoscreenNG

     76 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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    VokoscreenNG screenshot 1
     
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    2
    VokoscreenNG vs OBS Studio Comments
    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.

    • VokoscreenNG is Free and Open SourceOBS Studio is also Free and Open Source
  12. Nvidia App icon

    Nvidia App

     30 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.

    28 Nvidia App alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Nvidia App screenshot 1
     
  13. Kooha icon

    Kooha

     23 likes

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

    151 Kooha alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    Camtasia

     238 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.

    317 Camtasia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Camtasia screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Camtasia vs OBS Studio Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    8

    Camtasia isn't for live broadcast.

    • Camtasia is Freemium and ProprietaryOBS Studio is Free and Open Source
    • Camtasia is a Video Editor OBS Studio is a Screen Recording
  15. Cap icon

    Cap

     28 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.

    132 Cap alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Debian
    • Linux
    • Google Chrome
    Cap screenshot 1
     
12 of 176 OBS Studio alternatives