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?
- Fits
- Capture, combine and record video with an open-source desktop app.
- Main limit
- A recording and streaming application; a hosted team video library is a separate workflow.
- Evidence
- Vendor documentation; original task test pending
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
Evidence recheck in progress
Previous evidence is retained. A monitoring alert is not proof that the previous fact is wrong. Only fields marked “Recheck required” are withheld from tested matches or affected cost estimates.
- Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 19 Sept 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 27 Sept 2026 · Changed source - Edition-wide source scope, Price and billing, Offline requirements · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 4 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 4 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 11 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 18 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 25 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Edition-wide source scope · Decision hold applied
Official stable release changed or differs from a recorded test version. Recheck the exact edition and affected tasks.
Opened: 25 Oct 2026 · Changed source - Edition-wide source scope, Price and billing, Offline requirements · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 1 Nov 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 1 Nov 2026 · Changed source - Edition-wide source scope · Source review pending; no decision hold
Official stable release changed or differs from a recorded test version. Recheck the exact edition and affected tasks.
Opened: 1 Nov 2026 · Changed source - Record microphone audio, Save a local video, Record your screen, Include your webcam · Source review pending; no decision hold
Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
Opened: 8 Nov 2026 · Changed source
Each capability row retains its last recorded source/test date. Other fields remain governed by their own evidence and freshness. No completion date is promised.
Capability evidence
Official sources establish advertised availability and limits. A recorded task test separately establishes what worked in a specific environment.
Record your screen
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedScreen/window capture and recording are documented.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Include your webcam
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedVideo Capture Device sources support webcams.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Record microphone audio
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedDesktop and microphone audio sources are documented.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Save a local video
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedStart Recording saves a local recording; this is separate from streaming.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Send a hosted video link
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedOBS 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
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedThe 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
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedInstaller 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
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedFree open-source software; an OBS account or paid activation is not required.
Official source ↗Source checked: 12 Sept 2026Core task works locally
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedLocal 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
Recheck required · previous evidence retainedOptional 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.