Comparison · Screen recorders
OBS Studio vs SimpleScreenRecorder: which is better in 2026?
OBS Studio ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#1 against #10, score 93.0 against 77.5).
- 93.0Editorial score77.5
- 3Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
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 SimpleScreenRecorder if you want
Game and program recording on Linux.
A free GPL-3.0 recorder for Linux that records programs and games and installs from most distributions' repositories. It offers fewer options than OBS Studio.
The main differences
- Only OBS Studio runs on Windows.
- Only OBS Studio runs on macOS.
Side by side
 OBS Studio | SimpleScreenRecorder | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 93.0 | 77.5 |
| Rank in list | #1 of 10 | #10 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree and open source under the GPL-2.0 license | Free and open sourceFree and open source under the GPL-3.0 license |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSLinuxWindows, macOS, Linux | LinuxLinux |
| Made by | OBS Project | Maarten Baert |
| Best for | Streams and multi-source recordings | Game and program recording on Linux |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about OBS Studio vs SimpleScreenRecorder
- Is OBS Studio better than SimpleScreenRecorder?
- OBS Studio ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#1 against #10, score 93.0 against 77.5). OBS Studio is best for: streams and multi-source recordings. SimpleScreenRecorder is best for: game and program recording on Linux.
- Which is cheaper, OBS Studio or SimpleScreenRecorder?
- OBS Studio: Free and open source under the GPL-2.0 license. SimpleScreenRecorder: Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
- Do OBS Studio and SimpleScreenRecorder run on the same platforms?
- OBS Studio supports Windows, macOS, Linux. SimpleScreenRecorder supports Linux.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about OBS Studio and SimpleScreenRecorder
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