Open Broadcaster Software

Updated: 02/01/2021 by Computer Hope
OBS Studio

Released in 2012, and alternatively known as OBS Studio, Open Broadcaster Software is free, open-source screen-recording software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The software allows users to take screen recordings of the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. OBS can also stream your screen directly to various streaming services, including Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer, by logging in with a username and password.

The layout of your recorded or streamed content can be customized through using elements. Individual layers can be toggled on and off, resized, and moved around the screen to create a more personalized layout for the content you are creating. For example, a webcam can be moved to different corners of the screen or resized to allow different areas of the computer display to be shown.

Software terms, Stream