Yes, OBS is free. OBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming on Windows, macOS and Linux, distributed under the GNU General Public License. There's no premium version and no extra tier to upgrade to.
OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It's what a lot of streamers, course creators and webinar hosts use to record their screen, mix in a webcam and go live. Because it's so capable, people often assume there must be a premium version. There isn't.
What OBS Studio does for free
The OBS website lists these features, all included:
- Real-time video and audio capture and mixing, with scenes made from window captures, images, text, browser windows, webcams and capture cards.
- Unlimited scenes that you can switch between with custom transitions.
- An audio mixer with per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression and gain, plus VST plugin support.
- Studio Mode, so you can preview scenes before they go live.
- Multiview, to monitor 8 different scenes at once.
- Hotkeys for switching scenes, starting and stopping recordings, muting sources and push to talk.
Why OBS doesn't have a premium tier
OBS Studio is open source. Its GitHub page says it's distributed under the GNU General Public License v2 or any later version. The OBS website says the project is made possible by contributions from companies and individual backers, which is how it stays free for everyone.
What you need before you install it
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Mac | macOS 13.0 or newer |
| Linux | Supported |
| Latest release at time of writing | 32.2.2 |
| Licence | GNU General Public License v2 or later |
The OBS catch: your computer does the work
OBS is free, but it's your computer that does the heavy lifting, and that's where people get caught out. In its own overview guide, the OBS team warns that 60 fps streaming can be very taxing on your system compared with 30 fps, and tells you to test ahead of time and make sure your system has enough resources. If your laptop struggles, drop to 30 fps or a lower output resolution, such as 720p, before you go live.
The other thing to know is that OBS isn't a platform, it's a tool. To stream, you connect it to a service you already use by choosing it from the list in Settings or entering a custom server, then adding your stream key. Recording to your own computer doesn't need any of that.
OBS recording settings in plain English
The OBS overview guide covers Simple output mode, and the OBS team recommends the default options unless you know you need to change them. For recording, you set where files are saved and choose a preset: Same as stream, High Quality, Indistinguishable Quality or Lossless. If your computer has a hardware encoder, such as QuickSync, NVENC or AMD VCE, you can pick it once you choose a preset other than Same as stream.
For streaming, the guide suggests an audio bitrate of around 160kbps, or lower if your upload speed is slow. Video bitrate depends on your connection and the limits of the service you stream to. Advanced output mode lets you set recording and streaming up separately, but most beginners never need it.
How to set up OBS for your first recording
- Download OBS Studio from obsproject.com for your operating system.
- Open it and create a scene, then add sources such as your screen and webcam.
- Check the audio mixer so your microphone shows movement when you speak.
- In Settings, choose a recording quality preset, such as High Quality.
- Press Start Recording, record a short test and watch it back.
For live streaming, add your service and stream key in the Stream section of Settings, and use Studio Mode to check each scene before your audience sees it.
OBS for business content
It's a great free choice for recording tutorials, product demos, course lessons and webinars. The replay buffer lets you save a recent stretch of your stream with a hotkey you set up, which is handy for clipping highlights. If you're comparing tools for recording training videos, my guide on choosing screen recording software for tutorials covers simpler options too, and if you also record audio, see this round-up of podcast recording software.
Name your scenes clearly, such as Intro, Screen and Webcam, and set hotkeys for the ones you use most. It saves a lot of fumbling once you're live, and you'll wonder how you managed without them.
Who OBS suits
OBS suits anyone who wants full control over how their recordings and live streams look, and is happy to put an hour into learning the basics. Once your scenes are set up, it's quick to use every time.
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It suits you less if you'd rather have something that records your screen in one click with no setup, or if your computer is older and struggles with video. In that case, a lighter screen recorder will feel easier.
My verdict: OBS is free, with no premium tier at all. Download it from the official site, test a short recording before anything important, and if your machine strains, lower the frame rate before you blame the software.
Frequently asked questions
Is OBS free?
Yes. OBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming, available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is there a premium version of OBS?
No. OBS Studio is distributed under the GNU General Public License, and the project is supported by contributions from companies and individual backers rather than a premium tier.
What do I need to run OBS Studio?
OBS supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, macOS 13.0 or newer, and Linux. Streaming at 60 fps is much heavier on your computer than 30 fps.
Can I record without streaming in OBS?
Yes. You can record to your own computer using a recording quality preset, without connecting a streaming service.
Does OBS have noise suppression?
Yes. The OBS audio mixer includes per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression and gain, and it supports VST plugins.
What is Studio Mode in OBS?
Studio Mode lets you preview your scenes and sources before they go live, so you can adjust them before your viewers see anything.
How many scenes can I create in OBS?
The OBS website says you can set up an unlimited number of scenes and switch between them with custom transitions.
