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Recommended
Matthew T.
Religious Institutions, 1-10 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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For a free software, I very much appreciate its versatility and streaming services. It offers as much as most products that have significant costs to them.
I appreciate greatly that it is free and works amazing for the price. It gives us what we need for video recording and the quality is solid. The multi-screen capturing gives us versatility to get what we need for our production. It is fairly light-weight for what it accomplishes. I really appreciate the streaming service it offers.
It was a little tricky to get setup and diagnose issues, especially with the low quality of our video and our slow internet. I've had issues with the screen recording and haven't had fixed the issues yet. There are limited resources available to troubleshoot issues, too.
Curry M.
Higher Education, 501-1,000 employees
Used other for 6-12 months
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Utilizing OBS to create custom virtual zoom/skype content was a great option, but it's also a fantastic way to record livestreams locally so there's a backup in case the internet goes out. There's a plethora of options to connect to various ways to stream, almost too much sometimes. There's really not a program quite like it.
There are a multitude of features within OBS that allow a wide breadth of customization. Video placement, recording, streaming, implementation all with in depth editing tools to make the best possible product. It's a comprehensive and free addition to open up possibilities for those that wouldn't typically have these resources. Especially in the world of COVID-19, virtual video content has become the norm, and this allows for greater creative control.
OBS is not user friendly whatsoever. Navigating all of the tabs, menus, sub-menus, options and more is a chore, especially if you aren't familiar with the lingo.
Charles C.
Entertainment, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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My experience with OBS has been fantastic. They're actively updating their program and their support has responded to be within a reasonable time.
There is so much to love about this software. OBS offers so much versatility. You can switch from advanced and basic settings so you can completely customize your experience. I have used OBS and OBS multi-studio for over 4 years. Both programs are fantastic. The best thing about this is that you can stream, record and even do both at the same time.
The only con I can think of is that this program requires you to know a good amount about how streaming works in order to get the absolute best settings. Even with that said, it shouldn't deter anyone from giving this program a chance.
Juan E.
Nonprofit Organization Management, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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OBS Studio is accessible, reliable and very helpful to reach your audience and combine multiple platforms to connect with the people.
You can livestream a conference, a study bible service, a worship Sunday service in multiple platforms at the same time using the right tools.
Sometimes it is difficult to switch from one setup to another. Sometimes it freezes and you have to shut it down to make it work properly.
Leroy F.
Broadcast Media, self-employed
Used daily for 1-2 years
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OBS is the software I use to create recorded and live stream gameplay commentary videos on a regular basis (something like over 250+ videos now spanning from 3-4hrs per video average). So pretty awesome reliable free software.
*It's open source which means free unless you can and want to support financially or get premium support (or support full-stop, not sure if that's a thing with OBS). *Does everything all the other free or paid options do (that matters anyway). *Very reliable overall. *Pretty flexible and getting a few important updates of late.
*Might still be a little difficult for some people compared to others. *Open source software can sometimes take longer on average to have major updates / features. *Still pretty easy to crash if you do certain actions too quickly but thus generally easily to avoid although you can get nervous switching scene collections mid stream for instance.
William Hernando S.
Education Management, 10,001+ employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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OBS me brindó la oportunidad de realizar mis clases Online de manera creativa durante el confinamiento por COVID-19. Lo uso en todas mis reuniones Online y clases.
La capacidad de OBS de poder integrar muchas fuentes en una sola experiencia multimedia, de manera dinámica, trasparente y con look profesional es imbatible. Te pone como director y actor de tu propio contenido en vivo o en diferido.
Su curva de aprendizaje es un poco intimidante al principio. En especial para profesores que quieren renovar sus clases online o simplemente hacer videos educativos. Se deben tener conocimientos de la configuración del PC, de busqueda de archivos, de configuración de video y audio, etc. Que tampoco representa un gran problema, pero requiere tiempo y dedicación. Una vez superado este escollo la experiencia lo vale.
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Verified reviewer
Research, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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my overall experience with obs studio is that it's one of the best streaming programs i have ever used also it provides me many features to add on my stream to make it more enhanced
what i like most about obs studio is that it helps me streaming with 1080 60 fbs its an awsome streaming software
what i like least about obs that it got some problems when streaming with low-end pc so it keeps lagging and keeps dropping fbs
Tounekti A.
Computer Software, 501-1,000 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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I have been using OBS for 2 years and i have never faced any difficulties, comparing to other products OBS is the easiest and it doesn't require high performance machine.
honestly, I have nothing to complain about but he audio it can be improved I guess
Verified reviewer
Entertainment, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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The general usability of the software overall, especially when paired with StreamElements.
Rare crashes, settings reverting, and some minor complaints about the user interface sometimes being a little finicky when trying to set it up just right. The biggest issue I've had with OBS is it has a habit of crashing when I'm switching scenes via Studio Mode.
Karel M.
Computer Software, self-employed
Used weekly for 2+ years
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I would highly recommend OBS Studio to anyone needing streaming/recording software. I'd argue that it's the best software to use currently.
Firstly, it's free software so you don't have to worry about paying for the software or certain features on OBS. In my experience, this is the best software to use for streaming and recording.
Sometimes I can get problems with OBS just giving me errors or not updating properly.
Jair Alexander A.
Package/Freight Delivery, 201-500 employees
Used daily for 1-2 years
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Una buena experiencia al hacer stream y grabar videos uno de los mejores programas que he usado y lo mejor es gratis
Lo gratuito del software y lo fácil y bueno que es para hacer stream
Podría mejorar las opciones de configuración y ayuda a saber que opciones son la mejores para mi sistema
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Zakaria B.
Computer Hardware, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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overall experience, I would highly recommend this software for high-quality recording or even streaming with higher fps (frames per second).
obs studio is a really great software for both recording and streaming, I'm using it for a long time, and it has many valuable features, the most thing that i liked about it as a streamer and content creator, is that you can record with very high quality and fps can be up to 120fps which is good for me as an editor in the same time, on this software you can record your screen, take a screenshot and stream.
nothing seems bad on the software, but as a user, I would like to see the performance mode feature in the future.
regan t.
Computer Software, self-employed
Used daily for 6-12 months
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Using OBS Studio has been a game-changer for my content creation endeavors. It has helped me solve various business problems by providing a comprehensive solution for live streaming, recording, and editing. The benefits I've realized include improved production quality, increased audience engagement, and enhanced brand visibility.
OBS Studio provides an extensive range of features for content creation. I particularly appreciate its versatility and flexibility. It offers seamless integration with various platforms and allows for customization of streaming settings.
While OBS Studio is a powerful tool, there is a learning curve involved, especially for beginners. The initial setup and configuration can be slightly overwhelming. Additionally, the interface could be more intuitive and user-friendly.
Joe D.
Nonprofit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Because of its popularity, OBS Studio has a lot of available content on the internet so any questions I have are easily solved with a quick search. I use it to record myself for trainings, to record my screen for multiple reasons, and even to live stream when necessary.
The easy screen recording capabilities allows me to save and edit my training videos and it's easy to understand.
Nothing. OBS is essential software for screen recording, and even live streaming.
John S.
Publishing, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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Overall OBS is a great studio to use, and is great for almost any project
OBS is free and open source which is great, but it is also packed with features, so it can do pretty much anything you want as far as streaming goes
OBS studio has a ton of features but this can be very overwhelming at first, unless you are an expert video editor, you will need to spend a lot of time with tutorials to figure out every aspect of it
Verified reviewer
Entertainment, self-employed
Used weekly for 6-12 months
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OBS is the easiest video recording/streaming software you can use. The amount of settings can be overwhelming to a new user, but there are tons of guides available although some may be outdated with UI changes in newer versions. However, most users would only need to change the settings once and forget about it, making it really fast to get started every time you want to record or stream. Getting the settings just right might take time as there is no one setting that fits everyone, but it's well worth the effort. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a recording or streaming software.
Having tried a number of other video recording / streaming software, OBS is easily the one that is easiest to use and work with. Most of the settings just need to be set once and you're pretty much set for good, making it quick and easy to use without much setup time. Even a complete beginner can get started within minutes, although it's recommended to spend some time adjusting the settings.
OBS has been streamlined a lot more in recent years, but there are still a lot of options that can be daunting to use or adjust for most people, although this can be a huge plus for those who knows how to tweak the settings. Although it can be used right away even by new users, it's recommended to spend at least a couple of hours to learn and adjust some of the more important settings to match your usage and setup.
Verified reviewer
Graphic Design, self-employed
Used weekly for 2+ years
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I've used OBS in the past to create presentations/tutorials for teams as well as streaming for a simple screen-share solution with other developers. The combined simplicity of the interface, ease with which to setup a scene as well as switch between scenes for different elements of presentations has been invaluable.
Literally the best feature of OBS is "free", but as far as features and functionality goes, even if it were paid it'd likely be one of the best tools available for straight forward screen capture and broadcasting. My favorite features are the scene management and sources tools, switching between shots and sources, as well as interfaces and transitions, it's incredibly flexible and invaluable, especially if you're either streaming or recording instructing or giving a presentation.
Help documentation could be more robust, though with a low-moderate knowledge of encoding it's really straight forward. May have too many features for some, explaining to someone unfamiliar with elements of encoding or the interface can be challenging.
Bruno A.
Nonprofit Organization Management, 51-200 employees
Used weekly for 1-2 years
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I started using OBS Studio during the pandemic to record meetings and other things, and to use the virtual camera for my meetings. Before using OBS I used to use my computer recording functionalities, but it doesn't provide as many settings, filters and options as OBS does (for free). My recording's qualities improved significantly with OBS and I am still using it.
It is just an amazing product, I really don't use it for complex things, but the possibilities are endless, you can record screens and audio, record only a window, switch the media sources, etc. You can choose between recoding, broadcasting it to another platform or even use it as a virtual camera. Apart from all this functionalities
I haven't found cons at all. I think that is the best software when it comes to multimedia management and recording. It's free, it has many functionalities, and it not only allows amateur users to implement it, but is also perfect for Pro editors and content creators.
Simon M.
Broadcast Media, 1-10 employees
Used weekly for 1-2 years
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If you've worked on a different platform before or if you're new to the world of broadcasting, please do not hesitate to try out OBS. You will not be disappointed. It is the only software that I know of that provides a huge library of 3rd party plugins that are compatible right from the get go. You do not need to purchase a whole new set of plugins, but use whatever you have always been using and are comfortable with.
When I first started using OBS, I did not have great expectations from it because it was a free to use software that promised so much. After having streamed over 500+ hours of content, I can clearly say, it truly is one of a kind, feature-packed broadcasting software. From adding different layers to transitions to having more than one video source (I've used up to 8 sources with no problem), overlays and access to advanced widgets, you wouldn't believe that the software is actually free.
Some features are hidden under long menus. If you were to start using the software without a manual, it does take a bit of time to learn your way around it. Also, the fact that it retains the settings while you don't have to save anything, is both relieving and scary at the same time.
Verified reviewer
Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
Used monthly for 1-2 years
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Overall, it really fits my usage. It's hard at first, but by learning it little bit, this is, in my opinion, is the best screen recorder so far.
It can have a lot of layers, and layers can be different things like images, screens, cameras, videos, etc. With this feature and filter, the uses are endless, like game recording with your face in it, presentation for school online homework, streaming, etc. It's also lightweight, just works on many platforms. And best of all, it's not just free, but open source, which is it's built by passionate contributors, and it's safe, you can see the code your own if you don't believe the software.
It's really confusing at first because a lot of option and in my case, doesn't work at first install. I need to search how to fix the black screen error first before I use it. Also sometimes, new window size, like filter window, is too big for my screen resolution (1366x768), so the add effect button does not show up except I resize it myself.
Ruwan D.
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 5,001-10,000 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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This program is typically used to record lectures of my undergraduate course. I've tried a few various programs, but this is the easiest one I've discovered. So far, OBS Studio has been a wonderful experience for me.
Users can customize this software to meet their specific requirements. So, if you want a high-quality recording with a greater resolution, all you have to do is go to the settings option and make the necessary changes. In the same way, the opposite can be done. As a result, you can record in a variety of formats, including MKV, MP4, FLV, and others. It also enables us to alter the sounds. At the same time, system sound, outdoor mic, or both can be recorded. After you've set up the software, you may begin recording in a matter of seconds. As a result, I strongly advise you to use this software.
Setting up is a bit of a challenge. If the PC's processing power is insufficient, it may become stuck. Furthermore, live streaming is inconvenient owing to a slight lag.
David L.
Entertainment, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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It is crucial to my growing podcasting and streaming business.
It's the industry standard for a reason. Rock solid. Works fantastically in Linux. Integrates with JACK and Pipewire no problem. Also super convenient if I need to do a quick screen recording.
Three's not much to dislike about it. Sometimes it forgets my cameras though. That can be a pain.
enes y.
Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees
Used weekly for 1-2 years
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İ love how OBS is fast. Obs have so many encoder option.
There is no feature of obs software that I see missing or dislike. It does its job great!
Bryn H.
Entertainment, 10,001+ employees
Used daily for 1-2 years
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Overwall very positive, very few bugs or issues and an incredibly versatile program to use.
User interface is set up in a very clear and concise way with all pertinent info on one screen. Even those with little to no experience with personal recordings can quickly download and learn the software with very little down time. The options for recording settings is also another great multifaceted feature.
This is less about the software and more about the industry moving to a Work-From-Home environment, but more research needs to be done on remote monitoring and control of the OBS studio by an outside party. The ability to see exactly what is being recorded on another's screen would be a huge step forward and would really set OBS Studio apart from other peer recording software.
Rodrigo L.
Marketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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No Brainer, giving OBS is a free tool and it is used by millions of user accros the globe. As I said, at the begining and if you are not familiar in setting up screen recording tool you may face some headaches but at the end and reading the Help Portal you will manage.
It is a free tool and it is full of resources.
It requires patience to understand how the tool works and you may have some headache when using with some platforms. But do not give up as OBS works smoothly once you understand how the tool works and how to set it up properly.