Streamlabs vs OBS Studio: Which Streaming Software Is Better?

Whether you’re a newer streamer, or someone who has been grinding it out for a while, you have definitely thought about which streaming software to use.

OBS Studio has been the king of broadcasting software with its easy-to-use interface and open-sourced plugin integration. Although having a rough start, Streamlabs OBS has finally stepped into the ring for its chance to hold the crown.

So when it comes down to Streamlabs OBS vs OBS, which should you choose?

We’re going to break down the differences, and pros and cons of each streaming software to help you decide which one is better for you and your live streaming growth.

Let’s get started.

Here’s What You’re Going to Learn:

• Pros and cons of using OBS Studio
• The advantages and Disadvantages of Streamlabs OBS
• Which live streaming app is best for you

Is OBS Better Than Streamlabs?

Let’s find out by discussing the pros and cons of the open broadcaster software that pathed the way.

THE PROS

Simple User Interface

OBS Studio has an extremely simple User Interface, and setup process. Everything is completely customizable in size and position. Setting up a workspace for yourself is easy with simple drag-and-drop Docks, allowing you to customize your UI to your liking.

Lower CPU Usage

With the simple interface and settings, OBS Studio usually boasts a lower CPU usage while streaming, resulting in better FPS rate. Without all the fancy gadgets and whistles, you can focus on what matters, your live stream.

Easier to Customize

OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. This allows developers to write and create plugins to specifically use and amplify your user experience. Whether it’s something simple like integrating the chat into the interface, to advanced stream transitions using Motion-Effect to manipulate individual transitions for each source within a scene.

Although this requires a little bit more knowledge and time, this can lead to a much better and interactive experience to viewers within the stream.

More Stable With New Updates

OBS Studio is also the parent to most of the other alterations of the program, such as OBS Live and Streamlabs OBS. For now, this gives OBS users the advantage in being the first to getting upcoming features, as we saw with Nvidia’s new GPU encoder. This doesn’t mean the other broadcast software won’t get them, but they’ll usually start out with OBS Studio.

Aside from these advantageous differences, let’s go over the Cons of using OBS Studio.

THE CONS

Missing Fun Stream Features

With the simple interface and design, Open Broadcaster Software lacks a lot of integration with other important aspects of streaming. There aren’t as many options like importable themes, integrated chats, or apps designed to help amplify your stream.

These can be added via Browser Sources and other plugins, but it is not a main part of OBS Studio. If you are new to live streaming, having access to importable designs can really benefit your stream in the long run by saving yourself time and money.

This also means that if you want to integrate certain features from Streamlabs, you’ll have to use and run separate programs and browser tabs. This can definitely have a negative impact on your stream by needing to dedicate more CPU power and RAM to other programs.

Is Streamlabs OBS Better Than OBS?

Let’s start off with talking about the differences of Streamlabs OBS vs OBS that makes it a solid live streaming software.

Streamlabs OBS, otherwise referred to as SLOBS, took the streaming program market by storm. At first, SLOBS looked amazing. It added a bunch of useful features and integrations that streamers love and needed to give themselves and edge in the streaming world, like setting up Twitch donations.

The user interface was simple, yet packed with features and designs that can be added with a couple of mouse clicks. Setting up your audio sources and video format was a simple setup process.

When first released, SLOBS had its fair share of bugs and problems, but with today’s latest iteration of the software, most of the kinks have been smoothed out, giving it a lead over most broadcast software around.

THE PROS

Automated Setup

After you install Streamlabs OBS, you connect instantly to your Streamlabs account and run a starter setup to help find the best settings for your stream based on your computer. This automatically gives new users an advantage by being able to have everything automatically setup in the Settings Tab to be able to stream at the start.

Easy Stream Management

Another great feature is the Studio and Live tabs. In the Live tab, the interface is already designed to help you with a clean dashboard showing your Recent Events, Chat, Scenes, Mixer, and Live Preview.

Better Chat Integration

The chat also has more features for you as a streamer, allowing you to change the channel modes and manage mod tools all inside the software itself. No more needing to keep up a browser tab to see and manage chat, as SLOBS offers all of this within the app.

Powerful Mod Tools

Aside from the chat integration, Streamlabs offers an Integrated Chatbot. From the Cloudbot Tab, you have access to powerful mod tools, such as Caps Protection, Link Protection, and more.

But wait, there’s more! The Cloudbot also comes with several Chat Mini-games such as !Heist as well as fun commands like !8ball  to answer all of your viewer’s questions. The features don’t end there, as you also have access to personalized Commands, Timers, Quotes, and many many more features all within the broadcasting software itself.

Stream Design Options

Streamlabs OBS also offers a Themes Tab, allowing you to install and customize complete theme packages, as well as Widget Themes for those who use Streamlabs for their personal stream alerts.

Ranging from simple static themes with basic webcam overlays, to completely animated packages based off of the style of game, the Theme tab comes jam packed with features.

Check out this guide on where to get GIFs for Streamlabs.

Fun Streamer Features

If that was not enough, Streamlabs OBS also comes with a Store Tab. This tab holds plenty of useful applications for your stream, ranging from Royalty Free Music from Pretzel Rocks, to new ways to earn money as a streamer from the Loots Sponsored Messaging during your live stream. Most of these are monthly subscriptions, but they add a lot of useful features to your live stream.

Test Alerts Without Going Live

Aside from these tabs, another big difference of OBS vs Streamlabs is the Test Widget feature at the bottom of the app. This allows you to test any of your Alerts you have setup via Streamlabs, and is a nifty feature for those looking to edit and customize their alerts.

With all of these useful features, we need to discuss the cons of using Streamlabs OBS over OBS Studio.

THE CONS

Higher CPU Usage

For a newer streamer, all of these features are fantastic to have and use. With all of this, it comes at a cost of using more CPU usage, and a slower installation process for those who have already established the way they want their stream setup.

Missing Chat Features

The integrated chat settings also doesn’t have some of the features that even the Streamlabs Chatbot has as a separate program. Whether you’ve seen them from Streamlabel’s Redemptions, to just simple use commands, the integrated chat lacks sound commands for your chat.

More Than You Need

If you already have your theme and design set for your stream, the store and themes become unnecessary. The auto setup process also becomes outdated as you’ll end up fine tuning the settings yourself for a better overall quality of your stream.

Streamlabs or OBS?

After seeing all that both streaming software have to offer, each have their own differences, strengths, and weaknesses. It all comes down to personal preference, but the winner for being the best all around streaming app goes to Streamlabs OBS.

If you are new to the streaming scene, all of the features and designs are a few mouse clicks away. The integrated chat and dashboard in the Live Tab are essential for any streamer, and the filters for your webcam are fun to use. If you are new or like to change up your design, SLOBS will offer a lot more for your stream in the long run.

If you are looking for something simple and already have your design and theme established, OBS Studio will do the trick. With its easy to navigate interface and simple design, OBS offers a simple experience and an easier time overall. You are also free to use any other separate chatbot to help personalize your stream.

Hopefully this helped you decide which streaming software is best for you! If you have any questions or want to talk about what you use, feel free to leave a comment below!

Guide written by AlfredGG. Check out his Twitch stream here, and YouTube channel here.