Streamlabs vs OBS

by Apr 28, 2021Information Technology

Streaming live video has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years with some exciting new developments. There are many different solutions for people looking to broadcast their content. Two of the most popular streaming services right now are Streamlabs and OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).

Both provide a great way to livestream on YouTube, Twitch or other platforms. But which is better?

This article will discuss the differences between these platforms and what you should use depending on your needs. It also lists the pros and cons of each and which one is better suited for certain tasks.

Streamlabs vs OBS: Fast Facts

Before breaking down the difference between Streamlabs and OBS, let’s look at some key facts about each.

Streamlabs Inc. is an American company with its headquarters in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 2015 by Arda Turan and Anar Dağdeviren. Streamlabs offers live-streaming solutions to gamers, but it also has an HTML5 streaming app called Streampro that anyone can use. It supports all major platforms and uses adaptive bitrate switching when switching from WiFi to cellular networks. You can get this software for free on its website (there’s also a paid version).

Open Broadcaster Software is a free and open-source software project for video recording and live streaming. Its key developers are James Bennett and George Georgescu. OBS was created to help streamers get off Twitch and record their Twitch streams. It has developed into a powerful tool that you can use for much more than just streaming. It’s used by popular streamers like French YouTuber Laura Brehm, who uses OBS multiple times a day. Windows, macOS (via Fink), Linux, Android, iOS (via PWAStater), Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One (in preview), as well as FreeBSD.

Streamlabs vs. OBS: What do they have in common?

Streamlabs and OBS are open-source streaming solutions supported by developers, but their focus is vastly different. Streamlabs focuses on the needs of game streamers and has developed plugins for Discord, Twitch, and other platforms. OBS primarily focuses on desktop live streaming.

Of the two, Streamlabs is more suited for people who want to stream regularly on a wide variety of platforms. It has a unified user interface that makes it simple and quick to get your streams up and run quickly, with features like social media integration and instant notification support. This makes it ideal for people who want to stream regularly on YouTube or other platforms.

On the other hand, OBS is geared towards professional streamers looking to broadcast their content. It’s powerful and flexible and is suitable for streaming on Twitch or hosting videos on platforms like YouTube.

That said, both have a lot of similar features, such as overlays, alerts, and the ability to schedule events in advance. They also feature a chat interface that you can customize with different fonts, colors, and layouts (though OBS has more customization options). Both also offer various chat commands that viewers can use in any channel you are living in.

Streamlabs vs. OBS: What sets them apart?

While both services have a lot in common, there are also some key differences. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one is better for your needs.

Streamlabs vs OBS: Streamlabs advantages

Streamlabs has a greatly simplified user interface that makes streaming easy, with all features located on one dashboard. This means it’s easy to become productive as soon as you launch the app. The software also offers many chat commands that can be used by viewers, among other features.

One of Streamlabs’ best features is the mobile app, which is a fast and easy way to stream on Twitch or YouTube from your phone. It offers a smooth interface that’s optimized for touch screens. You can also change the color of your avatar and overlay from your phone or change any other settings without having to return to your computer. There are also many social features on the mobile app, including chat commands, polls, and subscriber flair.

There’s also community support with Streamlabs, which means users can rely on a network of other streamers who can help them with any problems they have (there’s also a support chat room for people using Streamlabs).

Sing up with Streamlabs Prime using this affiliate link: https://streamlabs.com

Streamlabs integrations

Streamlabs also has a lot of useful integrations, especially for streamers on Twitch. You can use it to create a “stream key” for your account, or you can add widgets and overlays to your stream using the Streamlabs Dashboard. For example, the Dashboard allows you to add donation alerts that display when people give you money or when it’s time for you to give a donor a shoutout. It also allows you to show subscriber numbers and chat statistics on your page.

Another important feature of Streamlabs is that it offers an HTML5 streaming app called Streampro instead of only supporting desktop software. Streamlabs Premium is a desktop application that presents a more professional look than the Streamlabs desktop interface and offers more features. It’s ideal for game streamers and allows you to track viewer statistics, monitor your chat, and monitor your audio levels.

Streamlabs also make it easy to export streams as MP4 files, which can be useful for portable devices like tablets or mobile phones. This is a great feature for people who want to share their streams on YouTube or other video platforms.

Streamlabs vs OBS: OBS advantages

OBS is also very easy to use and offers many features that Streamlabs does not have. Many of these features are aimed at streamers looking for more control over their streams. For example, the Overlay Generator allows you to design your own custom overlays for broadcasts. This is useful if you want to show an important information for viewers or have another overlay type that you can easily add. You can also customize the size of your overlays and the positions where they will appear on your stream.

The Window & Deck System is also useful for streamers who want to put on a show but have some things they want to hide from the audience or don’t want to be viewed on the main video window. For example, you could use it to put a two-part video in one window or separate your chat from your broadcasting using this feature.

Another important OBS feature is the hotkey integration that allows you to run commands using your keyboard and mouse instead of mouse clicks and losing context for viewers. You can even create macros that will read back what an incoming message says for easier live commentary.

You can also use OBS to create your own overlays that will appear whenever you stream, as an alternative to using the Streamlabs overlay. It can display information about yourself or your stream or display a video, or just plain text. When you have the template of your overlay created, you can save it and reuse it later for other streams.

Streamlabs vs OBS: Drawbacks

Streamlabs isn’t the only way to use your webcam in OBS, but it is an option that will make it easier if you want to start using Streamlabs later. Until now, the available webcam integration options in OBS could be tedious to set up for newcomers.

Streamlabs vs OBS: Users’ Feedback

Since Streamlabs is useful for new streamers and has tens of thousands of users, it is important to check out their experience with both tools.

So far, most people agree that using Streamlabs can make the streaming process more accessible. The only downside is that Streamlabs users can’t reap all the benefits of using OBS simultaneously as they host a stream. Some users also find that they need to purchase separate equipment like a microphone if they want to start their career as a streamer, but an entry-level microphone and webcam will do for most people.

It is worth noting that, while streaming with OBS has been around for a long time, the introduction of Streamlabs has not been entire without controversy. Some streamers have reported that their accounts on OBS and Twitch have been banned due to exclusive tools being used with Streamlabs. While this doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue for users just getting started with streaming, it is definitely something to keep in mind if you want to stream your favorite game in the future. He died in the same year.

Sing up with Streamlabs Prime using this affiliate link: https://streamlabs.com

14+ Best Welcome Messages for Customers

A good welcome message is a great way to set the tone of your business when first meeting new customers and employees. They can be short, simple greetings that introduce you and your business, or they can be longer, more comprehensive introductions about what your...

3 Chatbot Examples & Why Chatbots Succeed

Chatbots are quickly gaining ground across the web. In fact, those who have used a chatbot report that they prefer them to speak on the phone. They're way more convenient and significantly faster than speaking over the phone. Chatbots are also an excellent way for...

How To Write Business Emails Format Guide

Email is the most widely used form of communication for businesses. Almost every modern business today uses email to communicate. One of the best email marketing platforms right now is Tidio.com, a chat tool for business. In fact, from your own experience, you have...

How Your Business Can Benefit From Live Chats

Most businesses are not taking advantage of one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to interact with customers. Live chat tool Tidio removes the need for expensive intermediaries and long-drawn-out surveys. Enabling your business to offer live answers on...

How to Make a Chatbot for Free

For many businesses, chatbots are the most efficient way to manage customer support. They automate manual tasks and keep staff focused on the parts of their jobs that require human interaction. Tidio is a free chatbot-building platform with pre-built integrations for...

cPanel vs. Plesk Comparison

This is a comparison between cPanel and Plesk. cPanel has open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License for hosting websites on Unix-like operating systems. It has the most widely installed control panel for web hosting servers globally, with a...

Top 10 Most Popular CMS Platforms

This article is going to list the top 10 most popular CMS Platforms that are currently being used. Content Management Systems (CMS) are web applications that enable website developers and editors to manage the content on their site. Content is usually managed via a...

Shared Hosting Vs VPS Hosting VS Dedicated

Although high-speed internet is great, it isn't the only factor you should consider when choosing a hosting service. Ultimately, the hosting service you'll need will depend largely on the type of work you want to do. A Shared Hosting account will suffice for web...

Top 10 Most Popular New TLD Domain Names

It can be hard to find a domain name as popular as the one you’ve been using for your blog or business all these years. New domains ease trademark protections, making it easier for you to get the name you want. Among the best new TLDs are those that end in “.IO”,...

Top 10 Most Popular gTLD Domain Names

Domain names are a vital part of any web project, large or small. In this article, we'll cover the ten most popular domain name TLDs and their standardized premiums. Every web address has three components: a domain name (example: Google.com), an extension (.com in...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Join My Newsletter