OBS Studio — Trust Report & Verified Download

Trust Report

Independently checked by Altapp where possible; developer-reported data is labeled as such. Last full review: Jul 18, 2026.

Verified Source

Where the app comes from and how you get it.

Official builds come from obsproject.com/download and mirror the same releases published on GitHub (obsproject/obs-studio).
Windows installers are code-signed with a certificate issued to OBS Project, LLC; each GitHub release lists a SHA-256 checksum per file, and the public build scripts include Apple code signing and notarization for macOS.
Source is fully public under GPL-2.0 with 78,000+ GitHub stars and continuous commit history dating to 2013 — anyone can audit the build.
Also distributed through Microsoft Store, Steam, Flathub and an official Ubuntu PPA; fake OBS sites pushing malware via search ads have been reported, so verify the domain before downloading.

Data & Permissions

What the app can see and what leaves your device.

Recording and streaming write directly to your local disk or your chosen streaming service — no OBS-run server sits in the capture pipeline.
Update and news checks send your OBS version, platform and a random installation ID to obsproject.com; linking a streaming account (e.g. Twitch OAuth) is optional.
Crash-report upload is opt-in (since 32.0); local logs stay on-device unless you choose to upload one for support.
The privacy policy (Aug 2025) covers the websites and app together and mentions Google Analytics plus crash and network data, without separating what the desktop app sends.

Known Risks

Model, audit status and vulnerabilities.

Two 2023 reports often cited as OBS flaws (CVE-2023-34585, CVE-2023-36262) were withdrawn by their CNA as not security issues; NVD lists both as rejected.
CVE-2024-13524 (untrusted search path on Windows, ≤30.0.2, CVSS 4.5) stands in NVD though the project disputes it; 32.2.0 (Jul 2026) added Windows DLL-loading hardening.
No independent third-party security audit report has been published; assurance instead comes from open-source review of the public GitHub repo and a documented SECURITY.md disclosure process.
Actively maintained (33.0.0 shipped Oct 2026); plugins listed on the official forum get a moderator review for release readiness and GPL source, but no security testing is described, so install plugins only from sources you trust.

Verification reflects the version listed above. Practices may change between releases. How we verify ›

Our verdict: a genuinely open-source, code-signed recorder with a short, quiet CVE record — just make sure you download it from obsproject.com and not a lookalike.

OBS Studio is free, open-source software for screen recording and live streaming, built and maintained by the volunteer-run OBS Project (trademarks held by Wizards of OBS LLC) with funding from sponsors including YouTube, Twitch, NVIDIA, AMD, Logitech, Intel, Yamaha, and Steinberg. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, capturing your screen, windows, cameras, and audio directly to your disk or straight to a streaming service, with no OBS-operated server sitting in the capture path.

The project has built in the open on GitHub since 2013 under the GPL-2.0 license, with 78,000+ stars and a public SECURITY.md for vulnerability reports. Windows installers are signed by OBS Project, LLC, and builds are also distributed through the Microsoft Store, Steam, Flathub and an official Ubuntu PPA. NVD lists one disputed, medium-rated Windows CVE (CVE-2024-13524); two widely cited 2023 password-storage reports were withdrawn as not security issues. Fake OBS websites pushing malware have been reported, so the official domain matters.

Alternatives to OBS Studio

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Screen Studio

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Choose Screen Studio if

You want automatic, polished demos with no setup.

CheckedFrom $9/mo (annual) - $20/mo (monthly)

Camtasia

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Choose Camtasia if

You want recording plus a built-in editor in one paid app.

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ScreenFlow

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TrackShot

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Choose TrackShot if

You want automatic polish and a built-in editor without the setup — a one-time $49 app, launching soon from Altapp's own team.

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Frequently asked questions

Is OBS Studio free?

Yes — the pricing listed at our last review is “Free”.

Is OBS Studio safe to use?

Altapp's independent Trust Report (last full review Jul 18, 2026) records 7/9 of nine checks verified, covering source verification, data & permissions, and known risks. Altapp publishes no score or grade of its own — the count is a tally of what could be independently confirmed, and verification reflects the version listed on this page.

Which platforms does OBS Studio run on?

Windows 10/11 · macOS 12+ (Intel & Apple Silicon) · Linux (Ubuntu 24.04+, Flatpak).

What are the best OBS Studio alternatives?

Screen Studio, Camtasia, ScreenFlow, TrackShot — each with its own verified Trust Report on Altapp. See the full list ›

OBS Studio elsewhere on Altapp

OBS Studio vs Screen Studio OBS Studio vs TrackShot The Best Screen Recorders for Mac in 2026 All creative apps

Information

Developer: OBS Project
Size: ~150 MB (Windows installer)
Category: Creative
Compatibility: Windows 10/11 · macOS 12+ (Intel & Apple Silicon) · Linux (Ubuntu 24.04+, Flatpak)
Languages: 59 languages (community-translated via Crowdin)
License: GPL-2.0
Country
Latest Version: 33.0.0 · Oct 2026

Official Website Privacy Policy Source Code

Developers: get the Altapp Verified badge ›