OBS Studio vs ScreenPal: 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 ScreenPal 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:
OBS Studio
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (ScreenPal requires payment)
ScreenPal
Screen recording and video editing made easy
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
| At a Glance | OBS Studio | ScreenPal |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $3/mo, billed monthly Deluxe plan |
Category | Video & Media Screen Recording | Screen Recording Video & Media |
Rating | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 1,212 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.4 240 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Premier features add 100% cost |
Choose OBS Studio or ScreenPal?
Choose OBS Studio if
- You want a fully free tool (ScreenPal requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want powerful features
- You work in video & media, not screen recording
Choose ScreenPal if
- You want easy to use
- You want affordable pricing
- You work in screen recording, not video & media
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.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Powerful features
- Pro: Huge community
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Can be resource heavy
Key features
ScreenPal
Screen recording and video editing made easy
ScreenPal's pricing is quite generous, especially the Deluxe tier at $3/month which offers unlimited recordings and no watermark.
Watch out
Premier features add 100% cost
Strengths
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Affordable pricing
- Pro: Good free tier
- Pro: Popular in education
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Basic compared to Camtasia
- Con: Watermark on free tier
- Con: Limited advanced editing
- Con: Dated interface
Key features
Plans and prices: OBS Studio vs ScreenPal
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio |
| obsproject.com read Oct 31, 2026 |
| ScreenPal |
| screenpal.com/plans |
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 ScreenPal pricing.
Key Takeaways
OBS Studio
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5
ScreenPal
- Choose if you want screen recording and video editing made easy
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 (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio, 4.5/5 from 240 reviews for ScreenPal).
- ScreenPal starts at $3/mo, billed monthly; OBS Studio has no public paid plan price on file.
- 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 OBS Studio and ScreenPal 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 (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio, 4.5/5 from 240 reviews for ScreenPal). ScreenPal starts at $3/mo, billed monthly; OBS Studio has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are OBS Studio and ScreenPal used for?
OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software. ScreenPal: Screen recording and video editing made easy.
What does OBS Studio cost vs ScreenPal?
OBS Studio is free. ScreenPal's cheapest paid plan is Deluxe at $3/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between OBS Studio and ScreenPal?
OBS Studio's main strength: completely free. ScreenPal's main strength: easy to use.