Vendor sources and our tests are labelled separately. Independent tests that have not been run are not implied.
Vendor documentation is shown below. Independent tests are pending. Totals show known charges in each product’s currency; no currency conversion, tax or future price increase is assumed. List charges exclude volume discounts.
OBS Studio
Free desktop
PlatformWindows · macOS · Linux
Purchase basisFreePrice checked: 12 Sept 2026
Known 1-year cost · 1 person$0.00Tax excluded. Future upgrades and optional maintenance are not included unless stated.
Record your screenAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Screen/window capture and recording are documented.
Include your webcamAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Video Capture Device sources support webcams.
Record microphone audioAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Desktop and microphone audio sources are documented.
Save a local videoAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Start Recording saves a local recording; this is separate from streaming.
Send a hosted video linkNot supportedOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026OBS does not provide its own hosted video library. Publish a recording through a separate hosting service to obtain a viewing link.
Export without a watermarkAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026The official FAQ explicitly states that OBS has no watermarks or other license limitations.
Capture system audioNot established
Download an MP4Not established
Manage a hosted team libraryNot established
Record without a fixed time limitNot established
Offline core taskLocal core task documented · task test pending
A recording and streaming application; a hosted team video library is a separate workflow.
ShareX
Free desktop
PlatformWindows
Purchase basisFreePrice checked: 12 Sept 2026
Known 1-year cost · 1 person$0.00Tax excluded. Future upgrades and optional maintenance are not included unless stated.
Record your screenAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Screen recording uses FFmpeg; configure the recording source first.
Include your webcamSource reviewed · not establishedOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026The guide recommends another tool for webcam layouts. It does not establish an integrated screen-plus-webcam workflow for this edition.
Record microphone audioAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Audio source selection is documented; available microphone and system devices depend on configuration.
Save a local videoAvailable · official sourceOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Recordings can be saved locally without selecting an upload destination.
Send a hosted video linkAvailable with limitsOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026Links depend on a separately configured third-party upload service and its limits.
Export without a watermarkSource reviewed · not establishedOfficial source · 12 Sept 2026The recording guide does not explicitly establish watermark-free video output. An exported recording still needs inspection.
Capture system audioNot established
Download an MP4Not established
Manage a hosted team libraryNot established
Record without a fixed time limitNot established
Offline core taskLocal core task documented · task test pending
Upload destinations are external services with their own privacy and pricing terms.
Before choosing between these editions
Common questions
Can ShareX replace OBS on every operating system?
No. The listed ShareX edition is Windows-only; select a platform-supported candidate on macOS or Linux.
Does the listed price prove the workflow is suitable?
No. Check required tasks, platform, limits and the saved output. Purchase cost is separate from task evidence.