Comparison

OBS Studio vs StreamYard

On the evidence we track, StreamYard leads this comparison with a composite score of 66/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
OBS Studio52
★StreamYard66
Score
vioscaleAI score
OBS Studio52 / 100low · 28%
StreamYard66 / 100high · 79%
Pricing
Free tier
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✓
Model
OBS Studioopen_source
StreamYardfreemium
Price level
OBS Studiofree
StreamYardmid
Starting price
OBS Studio–
StreamYard$35
Transparent
OBS Studio–
StreamYard✓
Integrations
Count
OBS Studio–
StreamYard3
Security
Gdpr
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard–
Scorecard
OBS Studio6
StreamYard–
Trust center
Adoption
Dependent repos
OBS Studio0
StreamYard–
Github stars
OBS Studio76,985
StreamYard–
Activity
Commits last 30d
OBS Studio74
StreamYard–
Release
Cadence days
OBS Studio7
StreamYard–
History
OBS Studio20 items
StreamYard–
License
Spdx
OBS StudioGPL-2.0
StreamYard–
Language
Primary
OBS StudioC
StreamYard–
Content
Faq
OBS Studio6 items
StreamYard6 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for live streaming. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Capabilities
Architecture model
OBS Studiodesktop_local_application
StreamYardBrowser cloud studio
Simulcast multi destination rtmp output hub
OBS Studio-
StreamYard✓
Remote guest browser invites for interviews webrtc
OBS Studio-
StreamYard✓
Custom lower thirds graphics and brand overlays
OBS Studio-
StreamYard✓
ISO track recording for isolated guest audio video
OBS Studio-
StreamYard✓
Hardware encoding acceleration nvenc quicksync
OBS Studio-
StreamYard-
Srt secure reliable transport protocol support
OBS Studio-
StreamYard-
Multi network unified aggregated chat feed
OBS Studio-
StreamYard-
Chroma key green screen and virtual backgrounds
OBS Studio-
StreamYard✓
Ndi network device interface feed ingestion
OBS Studio-
StreamYard-
SOC2 type ii
OBS Studio-
StreamYard-
Gpl or permissive oss license
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✗
Pricing model
OBS Studio-
StreamYardFlat monthly subscription

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

OBS Studio

A desktop program that captures video from multiple sources, composes scenes with transitions, and streams to various platforms. It includes audio mixing with filters and supports plugins and scripting for extended functionality.

Independently observed

StreamYard

Leader

A cloud-based video studio that allows users to produce, broadcast, and record video content with support for remote participant joining, customizable branding and graphics, and simultaneous distribution to multiple streaming platforms.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

OBS Studio

Open sourceFree tier
as of verify ↗

StreamYard

Leader
from $35/moSubscriptionFree tier

From $35/month. Free tier available.

  • FreeFree
    • Essential studio resources
    • 6 on-screen participants
    • 1 seat
    • Individual use only
    • StreamYard branding on broadcasts
  • Core$35/month
    • Full HD 1080p output
    • Live recording to platform
    • Unlimited local recordings
    • Custom RTMP destinations
    • Guest destinations
    • +9 more
  • Advanced$68/month
    • All Core features
    • 15 backstage participants
    • 4-hour pre-recorded broadcast capability
    • On-air webinars for up to 100 viewers
    • Custom source inputs
    • +1 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
OBS Studio✗
StreamYard✓
macOS
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✗
Windows
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✗
Linux
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✗
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
OBS Studio✗
StreamYard✓
Self-hosted
OBS Studio✓
StreamYard✗

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

OBS Studio

Not documented yet.

StreamYard

Leader
3 total
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Independently observed
Still deciding?

OBS Studio or StreamYard: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.