OBS Studio vs HyNote for Mac: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between OBS Studio and HyNote for Mac 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 is our overall pick for screen recording workflows. Pick HyNote for Mac if you need transcription.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
OBS Studio
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need screen recording features specifically
- • OBS Studio is free software for video recording and live streaming
- • It captures screens, webcams, and audio for broadcasts and recordings
HyNote for Mac
AI-powered audio capture, transcription, and summaries for Mac meetings
Best for you if:
- • You need transcription features specifically
- • Records audio from any Mac app without a bot joining your meeting, ensuring privacy.
- • Provides real-time transcription with high accuracy, speaker labels, and AI summaries.
| At a Glance |  OBS Studio |  HyNote for Mac |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Screen Recording | Transcription |
Rating | 4.7/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose OBS Studio or HyNote for Mac?
Choose OBS Studio if
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
- Completely free
- Powerful features
- Huge community
- You want a fully free tool (HyNote for Mac requires payment)
- Your work is screen recording-shaped, not transcription-shaped
Choose HyNote for Mac if
AI-powered audio capture, transcription, and summaries for Mac meetings
- Bot-free recording keeps meetings private and uninterrupted.
- Real-time transcription with high accuracy and speaker labels.
- Works offline on mobile and syncs automatically when reconnected.
- Your work is transcription-shaped, not screen recording-shaped
| Feature | OBS Studio | HyNote for Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 1,210 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Screen RecordingLive Streaming | TranscriptionNote-Taking |
In-Depth Analysis
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.
Watch out
Requires user's own hardware
Strengths
- +Completely free
- +Powerful features
- +Huge community
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Can be resource heavy
Key features
HyNote for Mac
AI-powered audio capture, transcription, and summaries for Mac meetings
HyNote's pricing is fair and competitive for a niche AI note-taking tool, with the Free tier offering generous recording limits and the Plus plan at $10.83/month providing strong value for power users.
Watch out
Pro and Plus have 1200 minute monthly caps
Strengths
- +Bot-free recording keeps meetings private and uninterrupted.
- +Real-time transcription with high accuracy and speaker labels.
- +Works offline on mobile and syncs automatically when reconnected.
Weaknesses
- -Free plan limits recording sessions.
- -Advanced features like live translation and CRM integration require paid plans.
Key features
Pricing: OBS Studio vs HyNote for Mac
| Plan | OBS Studio | HyNote for Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | $0/month or Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $6.66/month or $79.99/year Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $10.83/month or $129.99/year Plus |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $15.83/month or $189.99/year Unlimited |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $15 per seat/month or $180/year Teams |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on OBS Studio pricing and HyNote for Mac pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OBS Studio is free. HyNote for Mac is freemium.
Go with: OBS Studio
Want the highest-rated option?
OBS Studio is rated 4.7/5. HyNote for Mac has no ratings yet.
Go with: OBS Studio
Value user reviews?
OBS Studio: 1,210 reviews (4.7/5). HyNote for Mac: no ratings yet.
Go with: OBS Studio
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
OBS Studio is free. HyNote for Mac is freemium. Go with OBS Studio if free matters most.
What's your use case?
OBS Studio is a screen recording tool. HyNote for Mac is in transcription. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
OBS Studio is rated 4.7/5; HyNote for Mac has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
OBS Studio
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
HyNote for Mac
- Better fit for transcription
The Bottom Line
OBS Studio is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OBS Studio or HyNote for Mac better?
OBS Studio is rated in our evaluation. OBS Studio is free and HyNote for Mac is freemium.
What are OBS Studio and HyNote for Mac used for?
OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software. HyNote for Mac: AI-powered audio capture, transcription, and summaries for Mac meetings.
What does OBS Studio cost vs HyNote for Mac?
OBS Studio is completely free. HyNote for Mac is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.