Comparison · Screen recorders
OBS Studio vs ScreenFlow: which is better in 2026?
OBS Studio ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#1 against #3, score 93.0 against 87.0).
Choose OBS Studio if you want
Streams and multi-source recordings.
The most capable free recorder here, with scenes, sources and live streaming on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its setup takes longer than one-click recorders, and it is built around streaming first.
Choose ScreenFlow if you want
Tutorials edited on a Mac.
Screen recording and timeline editing in one Mac app. It is Mac only and starts at $199, with a free trial available.
The main differences
- Only OBS Studio runs on Linux.
- Only OBS Studio runs on Windows.
- OBS Studio is open source; ScreenFlow is not.
- OBS Studio can be used for free; ScreenFlow requires payment.
Side by side
 OBS Studio |  ScreenFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 93.0 | 87.0 |
| Rank in list | #1 of 6 | #3 of 6 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree and open source under the GPL-2.0 license | PaidPaid license starting at $199; free trial on the vendor site |
| Free to use | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSLinuxWindows, macOS, Linux | macOSmacOS |
| Made by | OBS Project | Telestream |
| Best for | Streams and multi-source recordings | Tutorials edited on a Mac |
| Strengths |
|
|
| Limits |
|
|
| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about OBS Studio vs ScreenFlow
- Is OBS Studio better than ScreenFlow?
- OBS Studio ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#1 against #3, score 93.0 against 87.0). OBS Studio is best for: streams and multi-source recordings. ScreenFlow is best for: tutorials edited on a Mac.
- Which is cheaper, OBS Studio or ScreenFlow?
- OBS Studio: Free and open source under the GPL-2.0 license. ScreenFlow: Paid license starting at $199; free trial on the vendor site.
- Do OBS Studio and ScreenFlow run on the same platforms?
- OBS Studio supports Windows, macOS, Linux. ScreenFlow supports macOS.