# OBS vs Bandicam (2026)

Source: https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/compare/bandicam-vs-obs-studio/
By Sam Fisher. Part of The Best Screen Recorder (https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/). Method: https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/how-we-test/

Verdict: Pick OBS Studio if you want free recording on Windows, Mac or Linux and don't mind the setup; pick Bandicam for a simpler Windows recorder with a game mode, once you pay to remove the 5-minute free limit.

| | Bandicam | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Score (out of 10, as a game recorder) | 8.3 | 8.9 |
| Works on | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Free recording | 5 min per video | Length not documented |
| Watermark when free | No | No |
| Price | From $33.26/yr | Free |
| Sharing | 6.0 | 2.0 |
| Recording features | 10.0 | 9.0 |
| Editing | 7.0 | n/a |
| Free plan | 7.0 | 10.0 |
| Value for money | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 8.0 |
| Platforms | 4.0 | 6.0 |


**OBS Studio** is free and open source, with no paid plans and no watermark, on Windows, Mac and Linux. It's built around scenes and sources, which makes it flexible but slower to set up. It has no editor.

**Bandicam** is a Windows and Mac recorder with a game recording mode for DirectX, OpenGL and Vulkan games, on-screen drawing and scheduled recordings. Its free version limits each recording to 5 minutes, and edited videos from the free version carry a watermark. Windows and Mac need separate licences.