OBS Studio vs Screenflow: 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 Screenflow 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.
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 (Screenflow requires payment)
Screenflow
Record and edit screen captures for Mac
Best for you if:
- • You want good screen recorder Mac
| At a Glance | OBS Studio | Screenflow |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Not published |
Category | Screen Recording Live Streaming | Screen Recording Video Editing |
Rating | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 1,212 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.8 80 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No cloud storage or collaboration features |
Choose OBS Studio or Screenflow?
Choose OBS Studio if
- You want a fully free tool (Screenflow requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want powerful features
Choose Screenflow if
- You want good screen recorder Mac
- You want good editing
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
Screenflow
Record and edit screen captures for Mac
Screenflow's one-time purchase of $169 for a full license is fair, especially considering the robust screen recording and editing features.
Watch out
No cloud storage or collaboration features
Strengths
- Pro: Good screen recorder Mac
- Pro: Good editing
- Pro: One-time purchase
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Mac only
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: OBS Studio vs Screenflow
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio |
| obsproject.comread Oct 7, 2026 |
| Screenflow |
| telestream.net/screenflow/pricingread Sep 28, 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 Screenflow pricing.
Key Takeaways
OBS Studio
- Has a free plan
Screenflow
- Choose if you want record and edit screen captures for Mac
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.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio, 4.6/5 from 80 reviews for Screenflow).
- 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 Screenflow compare in 2026?
On the data below, OBS Studio leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 1,212 reviews for OBS Studio, 4.6/5 from 80 reviews for Screenflow). Only OBS Studio has a free plan.
What are OBS Studio and Screenflow used for?
OBS Studio: Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software. Screenflow: Record and edit screen captures for Mac.
What does OBS Studio cost vs Screenflow?
OBS Studio is free. Screenflow has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between OBS Studio and Screenflow?
OBS Studio's main strength: completely free. Screenflow's main strength: good screen recorder Mac.