OBS Studio
The free, open-source broadcast standard: scenes, overlays, multi-camera and audio routing for any livestream, used from bedroom streams to professional productions. Actively maintained since 2012; v32 shipped in 2026.
- Best for
- Professional-looking streams and performance videos at zero cost. Artists, producers, DJs, educators, and studios that want maximum control over livestreams, virtual concerts, production tutorials, listening sessions, or recorded performance content without paying for broadcasting software.
- Skip if
- Phone-app streaming already covers your needs. You want a mobile-first or browser-based tool that handles remote guests, audience discovery, monetization, and simultaneous multistreaming out of the box. OBS requires more technical setup than services like StreamYard or Restream.
- First move
- Build one reusable scene layout for your performance setup. Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard, then create one test scene containing your camera, performance audio, graphics, and backup media. Record an offline test and run an unlisted stream before broadcasting publicly.
- Watch out
- Audio routing from a DAW or professional interface can require virtual-audio software or plugins, especially for ASIO workflows. OBS normally streams to one destination at a time, VST3 support is not native, and complex scenes can overload the computer or internet connection. Monitor through headphones to prevent feedback and keep plugins updated after OBS or operating-system upgrades.
- Reach
- Industry-wide
- When
- Useful from day one.
- Based in
- United States