OBS Studio vs Elgato Game Capture Software – Which Game Recording Application is Better?

With the rising popularity of eSports and online gaming, most modern screen recording software solutions offer game capture features. Today, there are two popular programs that allow you to capture your gaming experience in high-quality videos – OBS Studio and Game Capture Software marketed and distributed by Elgato. Although both programs have a lot in common, there are evident differences in their functionality and features. Also, depending on your needs, they may have different advantages and limitations. This article attempts to highlight those features and provide an insightful comparison.

OBS Studio – A Quick Overview

Open Broadcaster Software Studio or OBS Studio is freeware and open source. It offers some very impressive features that let you capture everything that happens on your screen for free and without any frustrating limitations. It can capture your screen in HD quality and catch footage from your webcam. OBS Studio also allows you to record audio from a microphone and save the results in the file format of your choice. Lastly, OBS also gives you the option to stream the videos in real-time on several popular streaming platforms.

Why Use OBS Studio?

OBS is certainly an ideal choice for gamers and professionals alike. It’s feature set rivals those provided by more premium tools. It is equipped with HD recording and live streaming capabilities. It puts no restrictions on the length of your videos. OBS Studio is open source and ad-free. You can use OBS Studio for free. It takes little time and effort for setup. If you are a keen gamer, the vast and helpful OBS community can be one more reason for you to use OBS studio.

What is Elgato Game Capture Software?

Elgato’s Game Capture Software series offers multiple options to record your gameplay, save it on your hard drive, or stream online. There are different versions available to address your live streaming and game capture needs. Also, the hardware requirements for Elgato may vary from version to version. Supported systems include Windows and Mac OS, but some versions strictly need Windows machines only. Although Elgato gives you options to record HD and even 4K quality videos, most of Elgato game recording and live streaming programs are dependent on additional Elgato devices like capture cards.

In Comparison – OBS Studio vs Elgato

As OBS studio is open-source software, it can be configured in multiple ways, and the setup process itself can be fun. On the other hand, Elgato requires a thorough study of your hardware and game or video capture requirements before the selection of the correct version. While both OBS studio and Elgato software applications can be downloaded and installed for free, Elgato software requires you to buy devices sold separately by Elgato. OBS Studio supports all Windows, Linux, and Mac OS based machines, while Elgato Game Capture Software is supported by Windows and Mac OS only. With the vast OBS community, OBS users can rest assured that the help they need is a few clicks away at the time of snags, but Elgato users may need to struggle in finding the right solution to their problem.

How Apps4Rent Helps You Derive More Value from Your Applications?

As we have discussed the advantages and limitations of both the OBS Studio and Elgato programs, you can decide which application can work better for you. While both programs support live streaming and video recording in HD, OBS has fewer restrictions in terms of OS and hardware. Also, with tons of community-created plugins, filters, effects, and transitions, OBS Studio stands out. Irrespective of the software you choose for game capture and streaming, hosting it on a virtual desktop can boost performance. Apps4Rent offers dedicated OBS hosting plans to help you get more value from your OBS Studio application. We can also host Elgato software in our top tier data centers and Azure. Apps4Rent is available 24/7 via phone, chat, and email for hosting plan inquiries and assistance.