When you’re thinking about live streaming, OBS Studio might come to mind first. But, even though many streamers use it, some run into problems and start searching for an OBS alternative.
And there are many reasons for this: menus get complicated, or they just want an easier way to go live. With so many options out there, picking the right tool can be harder than using OBS itself.
Don’t fret! This post is here to guide you through OBS alternatives and help you find the right ones for your needs. Keep reading!
Why Think About OBS Studio Alternative?
Before we come up with a list of alternatives to OBS, let’s explore why content creators might need them:
- Simplified User Experience: Many alternatives are easier for beginners than OBS. They have simple layouts and guides that make it easy to learn. This means new users can start streaming fast. A drag-and-drop scene builder is way simpler than how OBS handles sources, right?
- Reduced System Load: OBS can be resource-intensive, especially on the CPU. This can cause stuttering or lag on older hardware. Efficient alternatives offer smoother streams and better performance on budget computers.
- Integrated Functionality: OBS alternatives have an edge because they have built-in features that you would need plugins for with OBS. Think customizable overlays, real-time viewer alerts, and direct monetization.
- Better Platform Support: OBS is powerful but has limitations, especially on macOS and for mobile streaming. Alternatives offer broader compatibility with iOS and Android, and better hardware integration.
- Direct Multistreaming Capabilities: Streamers often want to simulcast on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook to increase their reach. OBS, by default, doesn’t support this and usually needs third-party services or complex setups. But, OBS alternatives often include built-in multistreaming.
- Cloud-Based Streaming Solutions: Cloud-based OBS alternatives can reduce local setup and hardware strain. These platforms let you manage and broadcast live videos without software installs.
- Streamlined Post-Production Tools: You can prepare your post-production work beforehand to save time. Some alternatives offer built-in editing tools to let you trim clips right within the app.
20 OBS Alternatives for Streamers in 2025
Here are some alternatives to OBS that streamers can use to broadcast and record their content:
1. Streamlabs
- Best for: Gaming streamers who look for user-friendly interfaces with integrated tools
- Key features: Customizable overlays, built-in chat, multistreaming, dual outputs
If OBS Studio feels a bit hard to use, give Streamlabs a try. It’s based on the same free, open-source core as OBS, but it packages all of OBS’s powerful features into an easy-to-use platform.
You heard it right. This software is designed with beginners and ease of use in mind. Think of a more intuitive interface with features like drag-and-drop functionality.
You’ll probably like its library of pre-made overlays and themes, too. They’ll help you make your streams look professional and unique even if you’re not a design expert.
Plus, you can earn money from your content through donations and subscriptions,all right there on the platform.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Built on OBS with added alerts and themes, it’s simpler for engagement-focused streaming
Related: Streamlabs vs OBS Studio
2. XSplit Broadcaster
- Best for: Pro streamers, esports organizers who need advanced features with simple setups
- Key features: Custom transitions, multistream support, scene previews, built-in stream delay
If Streamlabs isn’t what you’re looking for, try XSplit Broadcaster. It’s also a good OBS alternative. Released in 2009, this software has become a favorite in the streaming community.
A dedicated scene preview editor, built-in stream delay, and advanced keyframe transitions. All of these features will help you create smooth, professional live streams.
What makes this a great alternative to OBS Studio? Native multistreaming. You can stream to multiple platforms at once. No extra programs, or complicated streaming setups needed.
Yes, OBS Studio needs extra plugins for this, but XSplit Broadcaster gets that out of the box.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Feature-rich with pro tools like masking and extensions, ideal for complex setups beyond basic OBS.
3. NVIDIA ShadowPlay
- Best for: PC gamers with NVIDIA GPUs who want high-quality recording and instant replays
- Key features: Shadow Recording, Automatic highlights capture, 360° screenshots
ShadowPlay isn’t a direct alternative to OBS if you’re looking to create complex productions. It’s designed for gamers who want to capture those exciting “Did you see that?!” moments.
Integrated with NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience, this OBS alternative is a powerful tool for recording gameplay clips.
You heard that right. Its standout feature is Instant Replay. It’s always recording, so when you pull off that amazing headshot, just hit a key to save the last few minutes.
The best part? It hardly uses your CPU. It takes advantage of the special encoder on your NVIDIA card.
What makes this an OBS alternative: GPU-optimized for seamless gaming captures and low overhead.
Related: Best Live Streaming Encoders
4. Action! by Mirillis
- Best for: PC gamers who want ultra-smooth, high-quality game recording and streaming
- Key features: Up to 8K recording, low CPU impact, Greenscreen Mode
Is OBS lowering your frame rate? Well, let’s be honest. OBS can be a resource hog, especially on mid-range gaming rigs.
If this is happening to you, try Action! This app from Mirillis is designed for performance. It records smooth gameplay without slowing down your system.
This is for gamers who focus on performance. Its strength? Its ultra-efficient recording engine. It supports HDR and high-FPS recording that OBS can sometimes struggle with on mid-range PCs.
Want to share your gameplay on Twitch.tv, YouTube, or Facebook? You can do that. Stream your gameplay live to all your favorite platforms at the same time.
What makes Action! an OBS alternative: High-res, stable recording with minimal performance hit, great for pro gamers.
Related:
5. Lightstream Studio
- Best for: Console gamers or casual streamers who look for cloud-based, low-hardware solutions
- Key features: Cloud encoding, scene templates, native multi-platform streaming
Looking for a user-friendly OBS alternative? Try Lightstream Studio and start streaming in minutes.
When they say “Console streaming made easy”, they really mean it.
This browser app takes the struggle out of streaming. It handles all the encoding and scene setup on its own servers.
And this is great news for console streamers. Why so? You can just connect your console directly to Lightstream Studio and start broadcasting your gameplay. No capture card needed.
Also, its streamlined interface is just awesome. Plus, its pre-built templates help you get live fast. It’s great for those who want to focus on their content rather than complex software configurations.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Browser-based OBS alternative with native multistreaming feature and minimal hardware requirements
6. Restream
- Best for: Streamers who want to simulcast with unified chat
- Key features: Multistreaming, chat aggregation, analytics, scheduling.
One of OBS’s Achilles’ heels is its lack of native direct multistreaming. You’ll need plugins and third-party services for that.
So what’s the OBS alternative for streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Kick at once? Restream Studio could be your choice. Just send your stream, and it will be broadcast to all your chosen platforms.
Want to stream from your GoPro or share your Xbox or PlayStation gameplay? Restream has your back.
Not to mention that it offers features like unified chat. This puts all your viewer comments in one place, so it’s easier to talk to your audience on every platform.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Stream to 30+ platforms simultaneously with a unified chat overlay and moderation. It’s a great alternative to OBS.
7. Gecata by Movavi
- Best for: PC gaming streamers who want to focus on high-FPS gameplay recording and streaming.
- Key features: Game-specific capture, high FPS, built-in editing, overlay support.
Not every creator wants a tool as complex as OBS. For many, the goal is simple: hit a button and start recording the game.
Gecata strips away the layers of complexity that can make OBS intimidating for new users. It’s one of the OBS alternatives you can consider.
Its Game Mode feature automatically detects when a game launches and begins recording gameplay with a single click, eliminating the need for manual setup.
Developed by Movavi, Gecata focuses on the core essentials of game capture and streaming. The user-friendly interface is clean and intuitive.
This streaming tool lets you add real-time info like FPS, bit rate, and file size to your streams. It’s a clean way for gamers to track performance and share good-looking content.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Gamer-centric with efficient captures, lighter alternative for quick sessions.
Related: Game Streaming Setup
8. PRISM Live Studio
- Best for: Mobile-first streamers with quick, edited live sessions and multistreaming
- Key features: Real-time effects, mobile streaming, multi-platform broadcasting, integrated chat
Is your stream feeling a bit boring? Want to add more personality and eye-catching visuals? PRISM Live Studio can help you with that.
Unlike OBS, which is often viewed as a blank canvas needing plugins and tweaks, PRISM Live Studio has built-in creative tools.
It lets you try out AR masks for fun or themed effects, boosts your look with beauty filters, and makes your messages stand out with animated text effects.
Generally, that’s not something you can just do with OBS. You’ll need to mess around with plugins and spend time getting them set up correctly.
And, wait, there’s more. Its seamless connectivity with its mobile app also allows for innovative workflows, like using a smartphone as a dynamic wireless camera.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Mobile-optimized with easy effects, perfect for social streams where OBS is desktop-heavy.
Related: Mobile Streaming Setup
9. ManyCam
- Best for: New creators who want to stream with no technical skills
- Key features: Effects, multi-source mixing, virtual webcam, backgrounds.
This tool works differently than OBS. It’s not a full alternative to OBS, but a simpler option designed for new content creators to go live.
ManyCam is a straightforward video tool that enhances your streaming with easy features and effects. Even so, you can multicast with this tool effortlessly, which can be more difficult to do with OBS Studio.
What’s more, ManyCam lets you easily switch between webcams during a live stream and use your phone as a wireless camera. This gives you more flexibility without needing extra equipment.
Plus, this software, like OBS, supports picture-in-picture layouts, allowing you to combine different video sources into a single broadcast.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Fun virtual camera features for enhanced webcam integration, great for beginners.
10. MeldStudio
- Best for: Multi-platform creators who want to stream horizontal and vertical platforms.
- Key Features: Multi-canvas output, vertical clipping with custom durations
“Stream with confidence. We’ll handle the complexity.” This sounds like a great pitch for an alternative to OBS, right?
Audio delays, out-of-sync video, and messy layouts can be a real pain and take time to fix in OBS Studio. It often means fiddling with plugins or external tools, making setup more complicated.
Built for Windows and macOS, MeldStudio can be your pick. It’s a cloud platform that integrates streaming, video editing, and audio mixing in a single, simple interface.
Meld Studio also has built-in multistreaming, which makes it easy to reach more viewers at once.
Vertical virtual camera for TikTok/Discord? Sure you have it. With this, you can easily switch between different camera angles and formats, enhancing your live interactions.
What makes this an OBS alternative: All-in-one studio with native multi-canvas output for simultaneous horizontal and vertical streaming
11. Wirecast
- Best for: Pro livestreamers that need multi-camera live production with multiple sources
- Key features: SRT support, NVENC encoding, instant replays, NDI integration, stock media library.
Need an OBS alternative that can stream to multiple platforms at once, like Restream or Streamlabs, but made for professional use? Try Wirecast.
Wirecast has built-in multistreaming with presets for YouTube, Facebook, and RTMP servers. This means you can stream to multiple platforms at once without extra setup.
Not only that, its layer-based design supports up to 250 layers and unlimited shots, making complex productions easy to manage.
One standout feature is Rendezvous. It lets you add up to 7 remote guests easily—great for collaborative streams. This is something many OBS users want: remote guests built-in, with no extra tools.
What makes this an OBS alternative: Professional alternatives to OBS with robust native multistreaming and built-in remote guest features with intuitive layout
Related: Best Live Streaming Software
12. Alternatives to OBS for Recording
These are all OBS alternatives for live streaming in front of your audience. If you only need to record your content and upload it as a VOD on platforms like YouTube, these are some alternatives:
- Riverside — This OBS alternative offers browser-based access and local capture for high-quality remote recordings, AI editing, and instant sharing.
- FocuSee — This app simplifies screen recordings with AI-driven auto-zoom, annotations, and captions.
- Camtasia — This tool is for pros who want smooth production without OBS plugins. It’s an all-in-one solution for screen recording, with built-in editing, animations, and effects for e-learning.
- Bandicam — This lightweight software like OBS excels at screen and game capture with high-compression 4K recording and low CPU usage.
- ScreenPal — This OBS Studio alternative offers quick screen recording, simple editing, and cloud sharing, with easy-to-use annotations and stock media.
- Loom — Upload instantly to the cloud, get auto-transcriptions, and share links for videos. It’s perfect for quick updates, skipping OBS’s complicated setup.
- Snagit — This OBS alternative makes video editing simple, perfect for creating guides.
- FlashBack Pro — This app records and edits in one. Make great tutorials with its timeline, annotations, and effects.
- Debut Video Capture — Record from your screen, webcam, or device? You get that. It’s a simple alternative to OBS, perfect for basic video on demand without the heavy lifting.
Wrap Up
When you’re looking for beginner’s guides to streaming, OBS Studio often comes up. It’s free, powerful, and packed with pro features, making it the industry standard for high-quality streams.
But that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. There are great OBS alternatives that might suit you better. Some are simpler, some offer more features, and some just get you live with less hassle.
Now that you have all the details, you’re all set to pick the best option for your livestreams. Make the most of it and create some awesome content.
When you’re ready, you can start earning from your content through ads and sponsorships. Or you can join Gank to earn more from fans’ donations, memberships, and merchandise sales.
