Starts atFreemium; Business $18/user/mo, Business + AI $24/user/mo
- Free option listed
- Free trial14 days of Business + AI
- Watermark not statedThe provider does not say
Head-to-head
OBS Studio vs Loom: which screen recorder should creators use?
At a glance
Starts atFree (open source)
- Free plan
- No watermark on free exports
- Commercial use allowed
OBS Studio is free with no time limit or watermark, and it streams live too. Loom is quicker: record, then share a link. But Loom Free caps you at 25 videos, 5 minutes each, 720p. For content you publish, OBS is the stronger free pick.
Quick verdict
- Choose OBS Studio for tutorials, gameplay and streams you publish.
- Choose Loom for quick shared walkthroughs to clients or a team.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | OBS Studio | Loom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, open source | Free Starter. Business $18/user/month, Business + AI $24 |
| Limits | None listed | Free: 25 videos, 5 min per screen recording |
| Quality | Set by you | Free: 720p. Paid: up to 4K |
| Watermark | None | Not listed on Loom's pricing page (Oct 2026) |
| Live streaming | Yes | No |
| Sharing | Saves a file | Instant link |
| Best for | Published content | Async messages |
For YouTube and Shorts
OBS takes 20 minutes to set up scenes, then records anything. Loom is ready in seconds but its free 720p looks soft on YouTube. For Shorts, record in OBS and crop in an editor.
How to choose
- Publishing the video: OBS.
- Sending it to one person: Loom Free.
- Need 4K links for clients: Loom Business.
Questions people search
Is OBS better than Loom?
For published videos, yes: free, no limits, no watermark. Loom is faster for quick shares.
What is Loom's free limit?
25 videos per person, 5 minutes per screen recording, 720p.
Is OBS Studio free?
Yes, free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Related: screen recording tools.
Sources: obsproject.com, loom.com/pricing. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.