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OBS Studio vs Raybeam: 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 OBS Studio and Raybeam 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 a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.

Data comparison compiled by Toolradar, not hand-reviewed Methodology
Data comparison 1,212 user reviews compared Pricing checked Oct 31, 2026

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:

OBS Studio

Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software

Best for you if:

  • • You want a fully free tool (Raybeam requires payment)

Raybeam

Share a draggable, resizable screen region on macOS for precise screen sharing.

Best for you if:

  • • You want offers precise control over shared screen content, avoiding clutter
At a glance: OBS Studio vs Raybeam
At a Glance
OBS Studio OBS Studio
Raybeam Raybeam
Starts at
Free 100% free
From $4.99/mo, billed monthly Pro plan
Category
Video & Media Screen Recording
Screenshot Tools Productivity
Rating
4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 1,212 reviews n/a
Free plan
Yes No

Choose OBS Studio or Raybeam?

OBS Studio

Choose OBS Studio if

  • You want a fully free tool (Raybeam requires payment)
  • You want completely free
  • You want powerful features
  • You work in video & media, not screenshot tools
Raybeam

Choose Raybeam if

  • You want offers precise control over shared screen content, avoiding clutter
  • You want ideal for multi-monitor or ultra-wide screen setups
  • You work in screenshot tools, not video & media

In-Depth Analysis

OBS Studio OBS Studio

Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software

Great value

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

Live streaming Recording Scene composition Filters Plugins Open source

Raybeam Raybeam

Share a draggable, resizable screen region on macOS for precise screen sharing.

Great value

The pricing is very fair for the value offered.

Strengths

  • Pro: Offers precise control over shared screen content, avoiding clutter.
  • Pro: Ideal for multi-monitor or ultra-wide screen setups.
  • Pro: Enhances privacy by allowing exclusion of sensitive applications.
  • Pro: Live annotations improve communication during presentations.
  • Pro: Seamless integration with existing video call workflows.

Weaknesses

  • Con: Requires macOS 14 or later, limiting older OS users.
  • Con: Specific to macOS, not available on other operating systems.

Key features

Draggable and resizable screen region sharing Live feed updates instantly with region changes Hot key support for quick region changes and controls Menu bar access for discreet operation Hidden apps feature to exclude specific windows from the stream Drawing mode for live annotations on the shared region

Plans and prices: OBS Studio vs Raybeam

Plans and prices of OBS Studio and Raybeam, as read on each vendor's pricing page. Each plan keeps its own billing unit.
Tool Plans and prices Source
OBS Studio
  • Free: Free
obsproject.com read Oct 31, 2026
Raybeam
  • Standard: Usage-based, one-time or minimum-commitment pricing
  • Pro: $4.99/mo, billed monthly
raybeam.live read Oct 29, 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 OBS Studio pricing and Raybeam pricing.

Key Takeaways

OBS Studio

  • Has a free plan

Raybeam

  • Choose if you want share a draggable, resizable screen region on macOS for precise screen sharing

What the data shows

On the data below, OBS Studio leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.

  • Only OBS Studio has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews); Raybeam has none we can show.
  • Raybeam starts at $4.99/mo, billed monthly; OBS Studio has no public paid plan price on file.
  • Only OBS Studio has 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 OBS Studio and Raybeam compare in 2026?

On the data below, OBS Studio leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only OBS Studio has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews); Raybeam has none we can show. Raybeam starts at $4.99/mo, billed monthly; OBS Studio has no public paid plan price on file. Only OBS Studio has a free plan.

What are OBS Studio and Raybeam used for?

OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software. Raybeam: Share a draggable, resizable screen region on macOS for precise screen sharing.

What does OBS Studio cost vs Raybeam?

OBS Studio is free. Raybeam's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $4.99/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.

What's the main difference between OBS Studio and Raybeam?

OBS Studio's main strength: completely free. Raybeam's main strength: offers precise control over shared screen content, avoiding clutter.

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