OBS Studio suits streamers and creators who want free, open-source software they can shape with scenes, plugins and scripts on Windows, Mac or Linux. Streamlabs suits streamers who want alerts, chat, overlays and multistreaming ready to go, on Windows or Mac. And you don't have to choose cleanly: Streamlabs offers a plugin that brings its tools into OBS Studio.
These two are closely linked, which is why people mix them up. I read the OBS Project's homepage and Streamlabs' homepage and desktop download page.
OBS Studio and Streamlabs compared
| OBS Studio | Streamlabs | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free and open source | Not named; Streamlabs Desktop is a free download |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac (macOS 13 or newer), Linux | Windows 10+ and macOS 12+ |
| Scenes and sources | Unlimited scenes with custom transitions | Not set out on the pages I read |
| Alerts and chat on stream | Through plugins | Alert Box and Chat Box built in |
| Multistream | Not covered on the OBS page | Go live to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook and more at once |
| Vertical video | Not covered on the OBS page | Dual Output for horizontal and vertical |
| Higher tier | None; funded by sponsors and backers | Streamlabs Ultra |
What OBS Studio does
The OBS Project describes OBS Studio as free and open source software for video recording and live streaming, on Windows, Mac or Linux. It's kept going by sponsors and backers.
You build scenes from window captures, images, text, browser windows, webcams and capture cards, and set up as many scenes as you like with custom transitions between them. The audio mixer has per-source filters like noise gate, noise suppression and gain, and its API supports plugins and scripts written in Lua or Python.
What Streamlabs does
Streamlabs calls itself an all-in-one suite for live streamers. Streamlabs Desktop is a free download for Windows and Mac, with Alert Box for on-stream alerts, Chat Box to show chat, and themes and overlays.
Multistream lets you go live to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook and more at once, and Dual Output handles horizontal and vertical layouts together. There's Streamlabs Console for Xbox and a mobile app for Android and iOS, and Streamlabs Ultra is its one plan for all the pro features.
The plugin that blurs the line
Here's the detail I'd flag: Streamlabs makes a Plugin for OBS that brings its alerts, overlays, chat and widgets into OBS Studio. So you can keep OBS's open-source engine and still use Streamlabs' extras without switching apps.
The trade-off is where the extras live. Streamlabs says you get free overlays and hundreds more with Ultra, while OBS keeps everything open and lets the community's plugins fill the gaps.
Think about the platform too. OBS runs on Linux as well as Windows and Mac, so it's the option if your streaming machine runs Linux. Streamlabs lists Windows 10 or later and macOS 12 or later for its desktop app, plus its own apps for Xbox and phones if you stream away from a computer.
Here's something else to weigh. OBS is a single app that does a lot, and it doesn't push you towards a higher tier, because there isn't one; it's funded by sponsors and backers. Streamlabs bundles more on top, and it's built to move with you from Desktop to Console to Mobile as you grow. Neither one's wrong. It's about whether you'd rather assemble your own setup or start with one that's already put together for you.
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Who each one suits
OBS Studio suits streamers who like control, Linux users and anyone building a custom setup with plugins and scripts. Streamlabs suits new streamers who want alerts and overlays working on day one, and creators going live on several platforms at once. If you stream on Twitch, here's how to add Twitch chat to OBS, and my guide on adding emotes on Twitch helps your channel look the part.
My advice on OBS or Streamlabs
If you're starting from scratch and want to be live tonight, install Streamlabs Desktop and set up one scene with an alert and chat. If you already use OBS, add Streamlabs' plugin before you think about switching. And if you're on Linux, OBS Studio is the one of the two that lists it, so your choice is made.
Do you make streaming tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is OBS Studio free?
Yes. The OBS Project describes OBS Studio as free and open source software for recording and live streaming.
Is Streamlabs free?
Streamlabs Desktop is a free download for Windows and Mac, and Streamlabs Ultra adds the pro features.
Can I use Streamlabs inside OBS?
Yes. Streamlabs offers a Plugin for OBS that brings its alerts, overlays and chat into OBS Studio.
Does Streamlabs work on Linux?
Streamlabs' download page lists Windows 10+ and macOS 12+; OBS Studio lists Linux.
Can Streamlabs stream to several platforms at once?
Yes. Streamlabs' Multistream goes live to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook and more at the same time.
