OBS Studio, formerly known as Open Broadcaster Software, is one of the most popular free video recording and live streaming applications thanks to its compatibility with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS operating systems.
Its native cross-platform support, customization, and open source model make it an excellent choice if you want to start live streaming or recording game plays.
While OBS Studio is a standard free and open source streaming software, plenty of other intuitive screen recording and direct streaming virtual camera software are currently available online also.
Here’s a list of the Best OBS Studio alternatives which can help you decide which software works best for you and your needs.
FineCam by FineShare
FineCam is essentially an AI-powered virtual camera software developed by FineShare. Unlike its competitors, FineCam works with your favorite video calling, conference, and streaming apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Twitch, OBS, Adobe Premiere Pro, etc.
It’s bundled with several effects and fine tunings such as background subtraction algorithms, low light video boosting, computational image processing, auto-framing, and more.
The excellent part about FineShare is that it can integrate your iPhone as a webcam. The phone as webcam feature lets you use your iPhone’s mighty camera as the primary camera to record yourself or your surrounding while streaming or broadcasting to any platform of your choice.
Pros:
- Intuitive and easy to setup
- AI-powered mechanism
- Use your smartphone as a webcam
- Load backgrounds from Unsplash
- 60+ visual effects
Cons:
- Virtual background features need higher system requirements to work seamlessly
2. Wirecast
Telestream Wirecast
If you’re looking for a powerful and easy-to-use alternative to OBS Studio, Wirecast is a great option. With Wirecast, you can live stream and record video from multiple cameras, create professional-looking broadcast productions, and more.
There are two versions of the software available: a paid Pro version with enhanced features and an affordable Studio version that includes most features found in the Pro version. There’s a free trial for both versions to test it out before buying. You may need to download additional drivers or plugins if your system has compatibility issues.
Pros:
- Unlimited camera and source inputs
- Great user experience
- Value for money
- Intuitive and easy to setup
- Integrated social media comment moderation
Cons:
- Wirecast studio looks somewhat limited when compared to Wirecast Pro. Which affects the buying decision.
3. XSplit Broadcaster
XSplit Broadcaster
If you’re looking for a powerful and feature-rich alternative to OBS Studio, XSplit Broadcaster is an excellent option for Windows. While it doesn’t have as many plugins or customization options as OBS, it’s much easier to use and has better support for higher-end hardware. Plus, its built-in video editor makes post-production a breeze. If you’re looking for a powerful and user-friendly alternative to OBS, XSplit Broadcaster is the way to go.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Value for money
- Great customer support
- Hooks built for most streaming services
Cons:
- It might slow down games or programs
4. Bandicam
Bandicam
One of the oldest players in the market. It’s a favorite of many gamers, as it allows for recording gameplay in ultra-high resolution at up to 144FPS. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use lightweight screen recorder, Bandicam is a great option. It can record your screen and audio simultaneously and has a built-in video editor so you can easily trim and edit your recordings. Plus, it’s available for both Windows and Mac. This premium version is worth checking out if you want to do more than record your desktop or gameplay.
Pros:
- All-in-one screen recorder
- Lightweight installer
- Records DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan games and webcam with audio
Cons:
- Bandicam only works on Windows
- Users may experience lag spikes during recording simulations
5. Camtasia Studio by TechSmith
Camtasia Studio by TechSmith
Camtasia Studio is an excellent OBS alternative for both Mac and PC users. It offers a variety of features that OBS Studio doesn’t, including a feature-rich video editor and adding effects and transitions to your videos. Plus, it’s easy to use and has a built-in video editor.
It supports a range of popular media formats, allowing you to capture and edit videos in the same way you would with your camcorder or DSLR. You can even use TechSmith’s free mobile app for Android and iOS to transfer media directly from your phone to Camtasia.
Pros:
- Simple editing controls with a minimal learning curve
- Easy to add virtual cameras such as FineCam
Cons:
- No option to clean up or denoise audios
- A limited set of callouts and transitions
6. Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi Screen Recorder is a free app for Mac and Windows that enables you to capture desktop activity. It lets you record videos, save screen images, and export the results in any format you choose. Movavi’s video export options include uploading videos to YouTube and Google Drive and sharing graphics via WhatsApp or Telegram.
The program supports Intel hardware acceleration, making the recording process smooth and seamless. You can use SuperSpeed mode to boost the conversion speed when saving files in another video format.
Pros:
- Convenient recording software for personal use and work
- Compact and intuitive UI
- Supports quick screenshot editing.
Cons:
- Most features are locked by default. Users need to purchase a premium plan to get things done.
7. Vimeo Live Streaming Platform
Vimeo
Vimeo live streaming lets you connect with your viewers in real-time, whether for a company all-hands, a product launch, or an interactive class. You can broadcast with Vimeo and share your video in 1080p, high-definition quality on your website and social channels.
Pros:
- Relatively easy for existing users of Vimeo
- Control access with SSO and more
- 9% guaranteed uptime SLAs
Cons:
- Unlike YouTube or Twitch, there’s a seat limitation for Vimeo Livestream
8. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic
If you’re looking for a simple, lightweight, and easy-to-use OBS alternative with advanced video recording and screenshot-taking abilities, any one of Screencast-O-Matic’s paid plans is an excellent choice for personal and business use.
It works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS and integrates with dozens of other tools such as Zoom, Slack, Skype, Google Slides, and Sheets.
Screencast-O-Matic offers a free, generous version of its service that surpasses its no-cost rivals and a subscription tier that adds cool features.
Pros:
- The paid version includes a full suite of editing tools.
Cons:
- Compared to competitors, it takes more time to create this tool.
9. Snagit by Techsmith
Snagit by Techsmith
As the name suggests, Snagit offers a simple way to quickly capture your screen and camera, add context to images, GIFs, or videos, and share them with friends or peers.
Even if you already have a professional media software suite on your computer, Snagit for Mac and Windows works excellently as it’s streamlined for screen capture editing. You’ll save time and get an excellent end product.
Pros: Simple enough to use for occasional editing and well-suited for those who need to do big jobs regularly.
Cons: None.
Conclusion
Even though it’s open source, OBS Studio isn’t easy for everyone. We believe you’d make an informed decision based on our list of OBS Studio alternatives for Mac and PC. And if you’ve got recommendations, you can contact us via [email protected].
