Vendor sources and our tests are labelled separately. Independent tests that have not been run are not implied.
Is this edition right for your task?
Capture, combine and record video with an open-source desktop app. A recording and streaming application; a hosted team video library is a separate workflow. This is an assessment of documented scope; we have not independently run this edition’s task fixtures. Check your required tasks and the official purchase terms before switching.
These are documented capabilities, not an independently tested recommendation. Test non-sensitive copies of your own files before switching. Platform support does not establish support for every operating system version.
- Edition
- Free desktop
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Installation
- desktop
- Source-identified version
- Not recorded
- Last original test
- No original test recorded
- Version tested
- No independent test recorded
Capability evidence
Official sources establish advertised availability and limits. A recorded task test separately establishes what worked in a specific environment.
Record your screen
Available · official sourceScreen/window capture and recording are documented.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Include your webcam
Available · official sourceVideo Capture Device sources support webcams.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Record microphone audio
Available · official sourceDesktop and microphone audio sources are documented.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Save a local video
Available · official sourceStart Recording saves a local recording; this is separate from streaming.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Send a hosted video link
Not supportedOBS does not provide its own hosted video library. Publish a recording through a separate hosting service to obtain a viewing link.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Export without a watermark
Available · official sourceThe official FAQ explicitly states that OBS has no watermarks or other license limitations.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Capture system audio
Source neededDownload an MP4
Source neededManage a hosted team library
Source neededRecord without a fixed time limit
Source neededNo hands-on result is implied by an official-source check. Unresolved outcomes remain excluded from tested recommendations.
Offline use and network dependencies
Setup, activation, local work and cloud services can have different requirements.
Install / first load needs internet
Source reviewed · not establishedInstaller download needs a connection. A clean installation with networking disabled has not been tested.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Account / license activation needs internet
No · documentedFree open-source software; an OBS account or paid activation is not required.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Core task works locally
Yes · documentedLocal recording does not depend on OBS servers. This documentation check is not a disconnected recording test.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Cloud features or dependencies
Yes · documentedOptional streaming connects directly to the selected external service; OBS does not operate the destination video service.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026A complete disconnected installation, activation and task run has not been independently tested.