While you want to choose the best streaming software, you face with many options in 2023. The two, currently in marketleader position are OBS Studio vs. Streamlabs OBS or SLOBS. These two program are currently contains the best features, easy connections, and many options to set, to get out most of your streaming computer. If you’re currently starting streaming you should begin with our how to start streaming article, then come back to see, If OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS suits you the best.
While OBS Studio comes with the most essential features, advanced settings for recording and streaming, until Streamlabs OBS easy connectivity, unique transitions and widgets for streaming platforms are the aspects of advantages.
In detail we going through each parts of streaming, that you will focus on, and how these software come handy, help you out. In this article you will find the description of the prices, pros and cons, also the hardware requirements of the two. Also we should mention that Streamlabs OBS is built upon OBS Studio, therefore many feature will be the same or just upgraded with some tweak.
Main differencies – OBS Studio vs. Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS)
In this part of the article we wrote about the differencies of the two software as you already can see in our Streamlabs vs. StreamElements article. These points as we mentioned, are crucial in terms of daily streaming and save time, so that you can focus only on create great content and entertaining shows.
If you came for just the quick answer, here’s your table.
| Feature/Platform | Streamlabs | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Individual Software, setup wizard | Open-source software, no setup wizard |
| Interface | Customizable, with other views | Customizable |
| Widgets – Plugins | Built-in with Streamlabs features | Any overlay and donation platform, download free overlays |
| Performance | Because built-in features, may slower | Optimized, low PC usage |
| Price | Streamlabs Ultra $19/mo $149/year | Free, Open-Source |
| Functions + Advantages | Mobile remote controller, Subscription with plus tools | Unique coded-transitions, Virtual camera |
Installation
Both of them you need to install as a program to your computer, you can download OBS Studio from here, while Streamlabs OBS here. We already wrote installation guide for OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS as well. You just need to go through the installation process, but after that comes the first difference.
While after installation OBS Studio just opens the application Streamlabs OBS have a setup wizard, where the software firstly measure your PC power, and setup for you the best settings. Most of the time probably it’s not the most perfect, but a good start If you want to start streaming instantly. After measuring your PC, then you can login to the streaming platform where you want to broadcast.
In OBS Studio this wizard is not exist, therefore after installation you need to go inside the Settings and manually setup the software and find your stream key, then type into the settings. However OBS Studio also has Twitch account login, but sometimes we can see that not working the best.
So in installation Streamlabs OBS is the winner, with the detailed setup guide.
Interface – UI
As the interface, where you will spend most of your time, there’s many differences between the two. Let’s see how looks the UI of the software.
As you can see Streamlabs OBS has a more minimal and clean look, while OBS Studio it’s a little bit more robust. Both of them are transformable, so you can move the individual looks and place everywhere you want.
The software has the same structure, like Scenes and Sources, where you can create different looks, and place window capture, webcam, or overlays as well. Also you can find the Audio Mixer, and the main function buttons as well, like start streaming and recording. While in OBS Studio this is the only one interface where you will find anything, in Streamlabs OBS, there are others, where you will find widgets, overlays and so on.
In terms of settings, there maybe a no-difference between the two, however as OBS Studio is the main software, you will find a little bit more details when you want to set up like output, video and advanced settings.
By interface there’s no winner, you need to pick by your preference, which one more intuitive for you.
Widgets – Plugins
In the name of plugins there’s a bunch we can talk about. The main purpose that Streamlabs OBS is built, is because of the function of Streamlabs. Streamlabs as a platform not a software, is a place where you can receive donations, build different layouts, create notifications based on followers and subscribers. Also, you can create your own merch by just create the logo and the image, while Streamlabs will make for you and you can sell through the webshop that comes with the platform.
And there’s a catch, all of these options are available inside Streamlabs OBS. So you can pick overlays, themes, music inside the software, also follow Twitch and YouTube chat inside the software.
In OBS Studio, there’s no built-in widgets and plugins, but basically that’s why this software maybe the winner of this point. Because there’s no in-built plugins, you can add whatever you want. And that also means uniquely coded transitions or plugins. But without going hard you can choose other platforms, like StreamElements, or other plugins and platforms. But also If you’re like or you already using Streamlabs you can use their widgets, with OBS Studio as well.
Afterall, there’s two winner. The first one, is OBS Studio, because you can choose any overlay and platform. The second one is Streamlabs OBS, If you’re using Streamlabs platform as well.
PC Usage – Performance
We can run tests, and performance related surveys, but what’s more crucial than the feedbacks from individual users. We gone through articles and forum answers about Streamlabs OBS vs. OBS Studio performance, and here is the final answer.
About 75% of the times, all users said that there’s a small performance issue with Streamlabs OBS, what you wouldn’t find in OBS Studio. Because there’s no any modification in OBS Studio, and has only the main features that you need, when you’re streaming.
Also OBS Studio, with about 10% – 20% use less CPU power, than Streamlabs OBS. There’s no glitching, and so called crashes, If you choose OBS Studio.
But we should say, that If you’re getting more and more plugins and widgets to OBS Studio, it will get slower and slower. Especially If you’re installing StreamElements, there’s a feedback about usage issues also some crashes, while you closing OBS Studio. So make sure, you only use what you need in OBS Studio.
Besides the added function, OBS Studio is the winner.
Pricing
Both software are completely free, you can download and install them, without any cost. However If you’re want to use the Streamlabs more advanced features, like stream to multiple platform or more unique overlays, you will need Streamlabs Ultra. However with Streamlabs Ultra you will get more software, not just the mentioned features. Check out our article.
Also If you’re using other platforms with OBS Studio, then It will mean cost as well.
We should mention – differencies
While OBS Studio keeps the bare minimum and only focuses on the broadcasting side of the streaming, Streamlabs OBS has other functionality that we should speak about. Here are some points that you should consider:
- Mobile Remote Control – You can download Streamlabs OBS mobile version and control the software on your PC, like changing scenes. That’s come helpful If you’re only have one screen
- Multiple streaming – You can stream to two different platform at once. Keep in mind that If you’re partner with Twitch, then you can’t do it.
In contrast OBS Studio also has some good point:
- Unique coded-transitions – If you have a little knowledge in Python, then you can easily create transitions for yourself. Also you can find someone on Fiverr, and purchase some, based on your design
- Virtual camera – You can use OBS Studio output, what you’re streaming to platforms as a Virtual Camera. Then you can choose that in Zoom, Google Meet calls or in other platforms as well.
Final recap
Finally the software that you want to choose should based on your preferences, but we can state the followings. If you like Streamlabs as a platform, probably you purchased Streamlabs Ultra, then you should use Streamlabs OBS. Because of the built-in widgets and overlays, your daily streaming will be a lot easier, also you will save more time, than using OBS Studio, and try adding widgets manually.
However If you’re want better performance, also you not attached to Streamlabs as a platform, and maybe using others as well, like StreamElements, then OBS Studio will be your best pick. Because the openness of the software, you have many choice that you can make, and pick any plugins or widgets that you like.
What’s you streaming software? Or do you like Twitch Studio?
