Medal.tv vs OBS Studio: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Medal.tv and OBS Studio comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: OBS Studio wins this matchup. LogRocket is our overall Screen Recording pick. LogRocket is our free Screen Recording pick. Pick Medal.tv if you need a free tier to start with.
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:
Medal.tv
Record, edit, and share game clips and gameplay highlights instantly on PC and mobile.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free to use on PC and mobile for core features
OBS Studio
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Medal.tv requires payment)
| At a Glance | Medal.tv | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Screen Recording Video Editing | Screen Recording Live Streaming |
Rating | 3.8/5 Trustpilot 3.5 · SourceForge 4.3 348 reviews | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 1,212 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Unlimited cloud storage is a Premium feature | n/a |
Choose Medal.tv or OBS Studio?
Choose Medal.tv if
- You want completely free to use on PC and mobile for core features
- You want optimized for minimal impact on game performance
Choose OBS Studio if
- You want a fully free tool (Medal.tv requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want powerful features
In-Depth Analysis
Medal.tv
Record, edit, and share game clips and gameplay highlights instantly on PC and mobile.
Medal.tv offers a very generous free tier, allowing users to record, edit, and share clips without any cost.
Watch out
Unlimited cloud storage is a Premium feature
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free to use on PC and mobile for core features.
- Pro: Optimized for minimal impact on game performance.
- Pro: Comprehensive editing tools built directly into the app.
- Pro: Supports recording from any PC game.
- Pro: Easy sharing with instant links and integrated community.
Weaknesses
- Con: Premium features like unlimited cloud storage require a paid subscription.
- Con: Console recording is not directly supported, requiring imports from system captures.
- Con: Mobile game capture is currently only available on Android, with iOS coming soon.
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
Pricing: Medal.tv vs OBS Studio
| Plan | Medal.tv | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | Contact us Premium | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Medal.tv pricing and OBS Studio pricing.
Key Takeaways
OBS Studio
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 3.8/5
- Larger review base (1,212 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Medal.tv
- Choose if you want record, edit, and share game clips and gameplay highlights instantly on PC and mobile
The Bottom Line
OBS Studio wins this matchup. LogRocket is our overall Screen Recording pick. LogRocket is our free Screen Recording pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medal.tv or OBS Studio better in 2026?
OBS Studio wins this matchup. LogRocket is our overall Screen Recording pick. LogRocket is our free Screen Recording pick. Pick Medal.tv for screen recording workflows (main strength: completely free to use on PC and mobile for core features). Pick OBS Studio for screen recording workflows (main strength: completely free).
What are Medal.tv and OBS Studio used for?
Medal.tv: Record, edit, and share game clips and gameplay highlights instantly on PC and mobile. OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software.
What does Medal.tv cost vs OBS Studio?
Medal.tv pricing is on their site. OBS Studio is free.
What's the main difference between Medal.tv and OBS Studio?
Medal.tv's main strength: completely free to use on PC and mobile for core features. OBS Studio's main strength: completely free.