OBS StudioUse this page
Take the installer from here or from a trusted store. Files from random mirrors and ad-linked pages can be altered.
An OBS download should take five minutes, not five detours
The short answer
Pick the installer that matches your system, install it with the default options, run the setup wizard and record a ten-second test. It is free, about 150 MB, and never asks for a card.
- Price
- Free
- Size
- Under 150 MB
- Setup time
- About 5 minutes
Will your computer handle the OBS download?
OBS Studio starts on modest machines. These tiers show what to expect at 1080p.
| Part | Light use | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Recent quad-core | Six cores or more |
| Memory | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Integrated | Card with hardware encoder |
| Storage | 1 GB for the app | SSD with room for recordings |
| Upload speed | 5 Mbit/s | 10 Mbit/s or more |
Which OBS download matches you?
Tap a card. We guess your system automatically, but you can override it.
Windows route
Most people want the regular installer. It adds a start-menu entry, the virtual camera and a prompt when a new version appears. A store edition exists for those who like automatic updates, and a zipped portable copy suits shared or locked-down computers.
- 64-bit Windows 10 or 11
- Graphics card with DirectX 11
- About 1 GB free for the app
- Admin rights for the normal installer
macOS route
You will see two disk images. The wrong one still opens on some machines but runs sluggishly, so check the chip in the “About This Mac” window first. Drag the app into Applications and approve the screen-recording permission when prompted.
- A reasonably recent macOS
- Screen Recording permission
- Camera and microphone prompts
- Hardware encoder supported
Linux route
The easiest path is your package manager or Flatpak. Wayland users need PipeWire for screen capture to work. Prefer building from source? The code is public and the instructions are included in the repository.
- X11 or Wayland with PipeWire
- Current graphics drivers
- VA-API or NVENC for fast encoding
- Distribution packages vary in age
After the OBS download: a calm first launch
- Install with default optionsYou can always change folders later; the defaults are safe.
- Say yes to system permissionsScreen, camera and microphone access are needed for capture.
- Run the setup wizardChoose recording or streaming; it adapts the starting values.
- Make a short test clipConfirm sound and picture before an important session.
Three habits for a clean OBS download
Skip the extras
No genuine OBS download needs a “downloader tool”, a survey or a payment card. Close any page that asks.
Match the file
Check the system label in the filename so you do not install the Intel build on an M-series Mac or the reverse.
First-run problems and their fixes
!
Installer will not start
Re-download the file, since a half-finished transfer is the usual cause, and run it as administrator.
!
Black preview
Grant screen permission, or switch to another capture type for the source in question.
!
No sound in the mixer
Open Settings, then Audio, and pick the right microphone and desktop device.
!
Antivirus warning
Treat it seriously. Remove the file and fetch it again from a trusted place.
OBS download questions
Is the OBS download free?
Yes. The real OBS download never asks for payment or card details.
Which OBS download do I need for a Mac?
Choose the Apple silicon build for M-series Macs and the Intel build for older Macs.
Why does my antivirus flag the OBS download?
A flag usually means the file was altered or damaged on the way. Delete it and download it again from this page or a trusted store.
Do I need to download extra codecs?
No. The common encoders are already included in the OBS download.