Bandicam vs OBS Studio: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Bandicam and OBS Studio side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, OBS Studio leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Bandicam
Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.
Best for you if:
- • You want lightweight and high-performance software
OBS Studio
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free
| At a Glance | Bandicam | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Screen Recording Screenshot Tools | Video & Media Screen Recording |
Rating | 4.2/5 Trustpilot 4.0 · Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 358 reviews | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 1,212 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Potential watermarks on free version | n/a |
Choose Bandicam or OBS Studio?
Choose Bandicam if
- You want lightweight and high-performance software
- You want supports 4K UHD video and high frame rates for gaming
- You work in screen recording, not video & media
Choose OBS Studio if
- You want completely free
- You want powerful features
- You work in video & media, not screen recording
In-Depth Analysis
Bandicam
Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.
Bandicam's pricing is extremely generous with its free download option, making it accessible to anyone needing basic screen capture.
Watch out
Potential watermarks on free version
Strengths
- Pro: Lightweight and high-performance software
- Pro: Supports 4K UHD video and high frame rates for gaming
- Pro: Versatile recording options including screen, game, and external devices
- Pro: Includes useful features like real-time drawing and scheduled recording
- Pro: Maintains high video quality with good compression
Weaknesses
- Con: Primarily for Windows (a macOS version is available)
- Con: Personal license does not include an invoice
- Con: Perpetual license only guarantees updates within the same software title
Key features
OBS Studio
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
OBS Studio offers an incredibly generous pricing model as it is 100% free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Powerful features
- Pro: Huge community
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Can be resource heavy
Key features
Plans and prices: Bandicam vs OBS Studio
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bandicam |
| bandicam.com read Nov 1, 2026 |
| OBS Studio |
| obsproject.com read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Bandicam pricing and OBS Studio pricing.
Key Takeaways
Bandicam
- Choose if you want capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance
OBS Studio
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.2/5
What the data shows
On the data below, OBS Studio leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- OBS Studio has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 358 reviews for Bandicam, 4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Bandicam and OBS Studio compare in 2026?
On the data below, OBS Studio leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. OBS Studio has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 358 reviews for Bandicam, 4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio). Both have a free plan.
What are Bandicam and OBS Studio used for?
Bandicam: Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance. OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software.
What does Bandicam cost vs OBS Studio?
Bandicam is free. OBS Studio is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Bandicam and OBS Studio?
Bandicam's main strength: lightweight and high-performance software. OBS Studio's main strength: completely free.