OBS Studio is open-source software for recording video and audio or producing live streams from configurable scenes containing displays, applications, cameras, media, browser sources, and capture devices.
OBS Studio records video and audio or broadcasts live productions from a scene-based desktop workspace. Users can combine displays, application windows, webcams, capture cards, browser content, images, text, and media sources into reusable layouts for tutorials, gameplay, interviews, presentations, demonstrations, or events. Scenes can be switched through customizable transitions without rebuilding the production during a session. The integrated audio mixer provides separate controls and filters for individual sound sources, while output settings cover recording and streaming behavior. Streamers, educators, presenters, developers, and video creators can therefore manage simple captures or more complex multi-source productions from the same open-source application on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The production workflow provides detailed control over scene preparation, source properties, hotkeys, audio processing, transitions, and output configuration before or during a broadcast. Studio Mode separates preview and program views so operators can inspect upcoming content before viewers see it, while Multiview displays several prepared scenes together for faster monitoring. Plugins, scripts, custom docks, and configurable encoders extend the application beyond basic screen capture. Developers building related streaming utilities may use Go Programming Language for separate automation, network services, or supporting infrastructure around broadcasting workflows. OBS Studio 32.2 added dynamic bitrate support for multitrack video, new source controls, and interface changes, while version 32.2.2 later fixed Windows plugin-loading and platform compatibility issues.
The main benefit of OBS Studio is giving creators detailed control over recording and live production without requiring a paid broadcasting suite. Reusable scenes let users prepare layouts for introductions, gameplay, interviews, demonstrations, breaks, and closing segments before a session begins, reducing disruptive rearrangement during live work. Studio Mode provides a safe preview area for checking changes before they reach viewers, while hotkeys speed up frequent actions such as scene switching, muting sources, and starting or stopping output. Per-source audio controls make it easier to balance microphones, desktop sound, media, and other inputs independently. Hardware and software encoding choices allow users to adapt quality and performance to available system resources. Plugins, Lua or Python scripts, and the application API support specialized automation or integrations when the standard interface is not enough. Cross-platform availability also helps creators maintain similar production workflows across different desktop operating systems.
OBS Studio builds scenes from multiple sources including displays, application windows, webcams, capture cards, images, text, browser content, and media files. Users can position, crop, resize, layer, or hide these elements independently. Reusable source arrangements make it practical to prepare distinct layouts for presentations, gameplay, interviews, demonstrations, and other productions.
Users can create numerous scenes and switch between them using configurable transitions during recordings or broadcasts. Different scenes may represent introductions, primary content, breaks, interviews, or closing layouts. Preparing these views before going live reduces last-minute editing and provides a controlled way to change what viewers see without rebuilding the active composition.
The integrated audio mixer provides separate volume and mute controls for active sound sources, along with filters such as noise suppression, noise gate, and gain. VST plugin support can extend processing further. Independent controls help producers balance microphones, desktop audio, media playback, capture devices, and other inputs before they reach the final recording or stream.
Studio Mode separates preview and program views so producers can inspect another scene or adjust sources before applying the change to the live output. This prevents unfinished layouts from appearing immediately to viewers. It is especially useful for structured broadcasts where transitions, overlays, cameras, or presentation content must be checked before becoming visible.
Multiview presents several scenes together in a monitoring layout, giving operators a broader view of prepared production states. The official interface supports monitoring up to eight scenes and allows quick cueing or transitions. This helps during live events where cameras, intermissions, demonstrations, and other layouts need to remain visible to the operator simultaneously.
Hotkeys can trigger frequent actions such as switching scenes, starting or stopping streams and recordings, muting audio sources, or enabling push-to-talk controls. Keyboard shortcuts reduce mouse navigation during active sessions and can improve timing when the operator is also presenting, gaming, teaching, demonstrating software, or managing other equipment at the same time.
The modular dock interface can be rearranged to match different streaming or recording workflows, and individual docks can be detached into separate windows. Users can prioritize frequently used controls or distribute monitoring panels across multiple displays. This flexibility helps create a production layout suited to available screen space, equipment, and operator preferences.
OBS Studio exposes an API that allows native plugins and scripts to extend the core application. Lua and Python scripts can interact with existing sources and controls, while plugins can add specialized capture methods, integrations, filters, or workflow tools. Advanced users can therefore adapt the production environment to hardware, services, and automation requirements beyond built-in features.
It is used for screen recording and live streaming, including gameplay, tutorials, presentations, interviews, demonstrations, webinars, and other productions that combine multiple video, audio, graphic, browser, or capture-device sources.
Yes. The OBS Project distributes the software as free and open-source software under the GNU General Public License version 2.
Yes. Recording and streaming can be configured together, with output settings controlling factors such as encoder selection, bitrate, recording quality, resolution, and other delivery options according to the available hardware and workflow.
Studio Mode provides separate preview and program views. Producers can prepare or inspect another scene in the preview area before applying a transition that sends the prepared layout to the live output.
Version 32.2.2 is the current official release. The OBS Project lists it as released on August 14, 2026, following version 32.2.1 from July 24, 2026.
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