Bandicam vs OBS (2026): Pricing, Features, and Which to Pick

Bandicam and OBS are two of the most popular screen recording tools available. Bandicam is a paid Windows app built for simple, high-quality recording. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free, open-source, and built for both recording and live streaming across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

This guide breaks down their differences in pricing, recording quality, streaming, performance, and usability so you can choose the right tool for your workflow. If you want a broader look at what’s available, see our review of the best AI screen recorders for 2026.

Pricing Comparison

Price is often the deciding factor, so let’s start there.

Bandicam’s free version adds a watermark and caps recordings at 10 minutes. Removing those restrictions costs $49.95 for a lifetime personal license or $33.26 per year. OBS has no paid tier, no watermarks, and no recording limits. Every feature is free.

For budget-conscious users, OBS wins on price alone. But Bandicam’s one-time $49.95 fee is reasonable if you prefer its simpler interface and don’t need streaming.

Screen Recording

Bandicam Recording

Bandicam records at up to 4K Ultra HD and captures up to 480 FPS. It has three recording modes: Screen Recording, Game Recording, and Device Recording. You can record your full screen or a selected area. The software also supports real-time drawing, mouse click effects, and webcam overlay during recording.

OBS Recording

OBS captures video and audio from multiple sources at once: windows, displays, webcams, capture cards, browser windows, and images. You compose these into “Scenes” that you can switch between during recording. The latest stable version (32.0) defaults to 6000 Kbps bitrate and uses Hybrid MP4/MOV containers. OBS doesn’t have built-in annotation tools, but its multi-source mixing is more flexible than Bandicam’s approach.

For straightforward screen capture, Bandicam is simpler. For multi-source recording setups, OBS has more options. For users on different platforms, there are also options like an Ubuntu screen recorder or an online screen recorder.

Live Streaming

Bandicam does not support live streaming. You’d need a separate app like OBS or Streamlabs to broadcast.

OBS was built for streaming. It supports Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, Kick, and other RTMP-based platforms out of the box. You can set up scenes with multiple camera angles, overlay images, and mix audio sources in real time. The upcoming 32.1 release adds WebRTC Simulcast, which sends multiple quality levels over a single connection for lower-latency broadcasts.

If streaming is part of your workflow, OBS is the clear choice. Bandicam is recording-only. For Twitch users, you can also use a Twitch recorder to save your streams.

Performance and CPU Usage

Bandicam is light on system resources. It uses hardware-accelerated encoding (NVIDIA NVENC, Intel Quick Sync, AMD VCE) and typically maintains lower CPU usage than OBS during recording. This matters for gaming, where every frame counts.

OBS also supports NVENC, Quick Sync, and VCE hardware encoding. However, OBS can use more CPU when managing multiple sources, running filters, or streaming at high resolutions simultaneously. You can reduce this by adjusting encoder settings and disabling unused sources.

In practice, both tools run well on modern hardware. Bandicam tends to be lighter in simple recording scenarios. OBS is more demanding when you push its multi-source and streaming capabilities.

Editing and Post-Production

Bandicam includes basic real-time editing: mouse effects, drawing, annotations, and webcam overlay. These tools are handy for tutorials and presentations. For anything beyond that, you’ll need separate editing software.

OBS has no built-in editing tools. It records to standard formats (MP4, MKV, MOV) that you can import into any video editor. OBS’s strength is in the recording setup, not post-production.

Neither tool replaces a real video editor. Bandicam has a slight edge for adding simple annotations during recording.

Customization and Plugins

Bandicam lets you adjust frame rate, video quality, audio settings, and recording area. You can add mouse effects and set scheduled recordings. The customization is straightforward but limited to what Bandicam offers out of the box.

OBS has an extensive plugin ecosystem. You can add features like virtual backgrounds, advanced audio processing, stream decks, and custom transitions. OBS also has a scripting API for automation. Version 32.0 introduced a Plugin Manager to make installing and updating plugins easier.

If you want to extend your recorder’s capabilities over time, OBS’s plugin system gives it a long-term advantage.

File Format Support

OBS supports more output formats and multi-track audio recording, which is useful when you want to edit game audio and microphone audio separately in post-production. Bandicam covers the basics with MP4 and AVI.

User Interface

Bandicam has a simple, compact interface. You pick a recording mode, set your area, and hit record. New users can start recording within minutes of installing the software.

OBS has a steeper learning curve. The interface shows Scenes, Sources, Audio Mixer, Scene Transitions, and Controls panels all at once. It takes time to understand how sources and scenes work together. Once you do, the flexibility is worth it, but beginners may feel overwhelmed at first.

Platform Support

Bandicam is Windows-only. OBS runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you use a Mac or Linux machine, OBS is your option between these two.

For a browser-based alternative that works on any operating system, ScreenApp’s AI screen recorder records directly in your browser with no installation. It also transcribes and summarizes your recordings automatically, which neither Bandicam nor OBS offers.

Customer Support

Bandicam provides email support, an FAQ section, and a user forum. As a commercial product, you can expect responses to technical issues.

OBS relies on community support: a wiki, user forums, and Discord servers. There’s no direct email support or dedicated support team. The community is active and knowledgeable, but you won’t get one-on-one help.

Full Comparison Table

Which Should You Pick?

Choose Bandicam if you want a simple Windows screen recorder for game capture or tutorials. The $49.95 lifetime license removes all restrictions, and you’ll be recording within minutes of installing. It’s the easier tool to learn.

Choose OBS if you need live streaming, multi-source recording, or cross-platform support. It’s free, endlessly customizable through plugins, and the standard tool for streamers. The learning curve is steeper, but the flexibility makes up for it.

Consider ScreenApp if you want browser-based recording with built-in AI transcription and summaries. There’s nothing to install, and it works on any operating system. It’s a good fit for meetings, interviews, and lectures where you need searchable text from your recordings.

For more comparisons, see our guides on Bandicam vs Camtasia, Bandicam vs Movavi, OBS vs Camtasia, and ScreenRec vs OBS.

FAQ

Is Bandicam better than OBS?

It depends on what you need. Bandicam is easier to use and lighter on CPU for simple recordings. OBS is better for streaming, has more features, and works on Mac and Linux. For basic screen capture on Windows, Bandicam is simpler. For everything else, OBS is more capable.

Is Bandicam free?

Bandicam has a free version, but it adds a watermark to recordings and limits each recording to 10 minutes. The paid version costs $49.95 for a lifetime personal license or $33.26 per year.

Is OBS free?

Yes. OBS is 100% free and open-source. There are no paid tiers, watermarks, or feature restrictions. You get the full software at no cost.

Can Bandicam stream on Twitch?

No. Bandicam is a recording-only tool and does not support live streaming. You would need OBS, Streamlabs, or another streaming application to broadcast on Twitch.

Does OBS work on Mac?

Yes. OBS runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Version 32.0 includes an experimental Metal renderer for improved performance on Apple Silicon Macs.

Which uses less CPU, Bandicam or OBS?

Bandicam generally uses less CPU during simple screen recordings. Both tools support hardware encoding (NVENC, Quick Sync, VCE), but OBS can use more resources when running multiple sources or streaming at high quality. On modern hardware, both run smoothly for standard recording tasks.

What is the best free screen recorder?

OBS is the most full-featured free screen recorder available. It supports recording, streaming, multi-source capture, and plugins. For a browser-based free option, ScreenApp lets you record your screen without installing anything.

Can I use Bandicam on Mac?

No. Bandicam is only available on Windows. Mac users should consider OBS or a browser-based recorder like ScreenApp’s online screen recorder.

What is the latest version of OBS?

The latest stable release is OBS Studio 32.0.4, released in early 2026. Version 32.1 is in beta and adds a redesigned audio mixer and WebRTC Simulcast support.