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
0 Comments