Two Windows recorders, two vendors
Streamlabs Desktop versus OBS Studio is a vendor split on top of a similar job: capture a desktop, a window, or a game on Windows. Streamlabs publishes Streamlabs Desktop as a company desktop based on OBS. OBS Studio is GPL-2.0, source on obsproject/obs-studio, files on GitHub Releases, winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio.
Official OBS Studio files stay on GitHub, winget, and links from obsproject.com. Streamlabs files stay on streamlabs.com. Related: guides, obs studio, vs XSplit, and switch from Game Bar.
Install the OBS Project app:
winget install -e --id OBSProject.OBSStudioWhat Streamlabs Desktop is
Streamlabs markets Streamlabs Desktop as a company desktop for streaming and recording. Read the vendor site for widgets, themes, and account features that product adds. the guides do not rewrite that manual. A company desktop based on OBS is still a Streamlabs product. Keep Streamlabs downloads on streamlabs.com.
Do not take a Streamlabs build from an OBS Project tag. Do not take an OBS Studio exe from a Streamlabs mirror. Each product has a home. For OBS Studio that home is GitHub Releases, winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio, and links from obsproject.com.
People type both names when they want scenes, a webcam, and a game capture. That job is real. The products still differ on vendor, license, and where the installer comes from.
What this project is
OBS Studio records and streams from a scene you build. Sources named in the official quick start include Display Capture, Window Capture, Game Capture (Windows), and Video Capture Device. Audio meters live in the mixer. Settings then Output holds recording path, format, and encoder. Start Recording writes a local file. No OBS Project account is required for that file.
License is GPL-2.0 (COPYING). README allows GPL v2 or later. Donate and sponsor links on obsproject.com/contribute are not a paywall. Default Windows x64 file: OBS-Studio-*-Windows-x64-Installer.exe. Portable: OBS-Studio-*-Windows-x64.zip.
Walkthroughs: first scene and source, record locally, virtual camera, NVENC.
Feature table
| Topic | OBS Studio | Streamlabs Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | OBS Project | Streamlabs |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Follow the vendor for that product |
| Source tree | GitHub obsproject/obs-studio | Company desktop based on OBS |
| Windows install | Winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio, GitHub x64 exe, portable zip | Streamlabs download for that product |
| Local record | Yes, no OBS Project account | Follow Streamlabs docs for that product |
| Scenes and sources | Yes | Follow Streamlabs docs for that product |
| Virtual camera | Yes, Start Virtual Camera | Follow Streamlabs docs for that product |
| Paid tier | None in the README | Follow the vendor site |
| Account | None for local record | Follow the vendor for that product |
| Importer from the other tool | None documented here | None documented here |
XSplit Broadcaster is a third recorder with paid editions: vs XSplit. Xbox Game Bar is the built-in Win+G clip: switch from Game Bar.
When to keep Streamlabs
Keep Streamlabs Desktop when you already live in that company desktop, or when a Streamlabs-only widget or theme on the vendor site is the reason you opened it. Read Streamlabs for that product. the guides do not migrate a Streamlabs collection into OBS Studio.
Winget will not install Streamlabs under id OBSProject.OBSStudio. That id is this project only. Streamlabs stays on streamlabs.com. If a catalog search shows both names, read the publisher field before you hit install.
If the job is a scene you already trust in Streamlabs Desktop, you can stay there. A second recorder is optional. Running both at once on the same GPU is extra load, not a requirement.
When to switch
Switch to OBS Studio when you want GPL-2.0 source, a GitHub x64 Nullsoft exe, winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio, and a local record with no OBS Project account. Rebuild the scene. Export nothing from Streamlabs unless you already have files you want to keep as media, not as an importer.
Home install: obs studio. Windows walk: install on Windows. Winget: winget command. Releases: obs studio releases. GitHub: obs studio on GitHub. Safe download: download safely. This computer: obs studio for this computer.
How to install this project
Use winget on Windows 10 1809+ or Windows 11, or take OBS-Studio-*-Windows-x64-Installer.exe from Releases. Portable zip is the other official x64 file: portable or setup. Product homepage: obsproject.com. License: COPYING. Help: obsproject.com/help.
After install, add Display Capture or Game Capture for the same window Streamlabs was showing. Then record: record locally. About: about. Move off Game Bar: move off Game Bar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Streamlabs Desktop the same as obs studio?
No. Streamlabs Desktop is a Streamlabs company desktop. OBS Studio is GPL-2.0 from OBS Project on GitHub. Two vendors, two products. Vendor: Streamlabs. Match the Windows x64 installer or winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio against the current GitHub release before you change anything else.
Is Streamlabs based on OBS?
Streamlabs Desktop is a company desktop based on OBS. That does not make it the OBS Project installer. Fetch OBS Studio from GitHub, winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio, or obsproject.com. Match the Windows x64 installer or winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio against the current GitHub release before you change anything else.
Can I import Streamlabs scenes into this project?
the guides do not document a Streamlabs importer. Rebuild the scene with sources in OBS Studio. Related: first scene and source. Match the Windows x64 installer or winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio against the current GitHub release before you change anything else.
Which should I use?
Use OBS Studio when you want GPL-2.0, GitHub exe files, and winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio. Keep Streamlabs Desktop when you already live in that company desktop. Pick on the job. the guides do not invent a rank.
How do I install OBS Studio instead of Streamlabs?
Run winget install -e --id OBSProject.OBSStudio or take OBS-Studio-*-Windows-x64-Installer.exe from GitHub Releases. Guide: install on Windows. Match the Windows x64 installer or winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio against the current GitHub release before you change anything else. Match the Windows x64 installer or winget id OBSProject.OBSStudio against the current GitHub release before you change anything else.