Bottom line: Free, open-source software for screen recording and live streaming, with no watermark and no account needed.
- Free & open source
- No sign-up
- Desktop app
- Not tested yet
Before you install
Checked 2026-09-29 · Based on official info · Not tested by us
Free, open-source software for recording your screen and live streaming to platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Data sheet
Compiled from the official sources linked below
| What it does | Combines sources such as your screen, windows, games and webcam into recordings or live streams to YouTube, Twitch and more. |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free. Open source under GPL v2 (or any later version). |
| Sign-up | Not needed. |
| Operator | The OBS Project (open-source contributors) |
| Watch out | It has many settings and can feel complex at first; start with the Auto-Configuration Wizard. Download it only from the official site. |
When to use it
Use it when you want to record lectures, games or work screens without a watermark, or start live streaming.
Before you use it
Recording quality and system load depend on your hardware and encoder settings. Check Settings > Output to see where recordings are saved.
How to use it
- Download and install OBS Studio for your OS from obsproject.com.
- Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard, then add a source such as Display Capture.
- Click Start Recording, and Stop Recording when you are done.
Why people use it
Appears among the top US Google results for ‘screen recorder’ (about 77K searches a month), per Ahrefs estimates.
Checked: 2026-09-29 · Compiled from official sources; not tested by us. Terms can change, so check the official page before use. · Official site · Official site · Download page · GitHub repository (license)