Loom vs OBS Studio
Quick verdict
Loom and OBS Studio are both excellent screen recording tools, and the right pick depends on what you need. Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera, while OBS Studio is free, open-source software for recording and live streaming. For most people, Loom is the safer default thanks to its wider adoption — but OBS Studio can be the better fit for the right workflow.
Loom vs OBS Studio is one of those comparisons that comes up again and again. Both are strong screen recording tools, both have loyal fans, and both could be the right call depending on your situation.
We track hundreds of screen recording tools on DesignBookmark, so we've put them side by side below: what each one is, where they overlap, how they differ, and a clear answer to which you should choose.
No fluff and no fabricated benchmarks — just an honest, practical comparison to help you decide fast.
At a glance
| Loom | OBS Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Screen Recording | Screen Recording |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| On DesignBookmark | Featured pick | Listed |
| Categories | 1 | 3 |
Pricing is a general guide and changes often — always confirm current plans on each tool's site.
What they have in common
At a high level, Loom and OBS Studio are after the same thing. Both sit in our screen recording category, both are aimed at designers, developers and creators, and both are built to make that job faster and more enjoyable.
So if you're only going to use one, you won't be missing out on the fundamentals either way — the question is which one's particular take on screen recording tool suits you best. That's what the rest of this comparison digs into.
Loom
Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera. What stands out is how focused and dependable it feels: it does what it promises, release after release.
Compared with OBS Studio, it's the one to reach for when reliability beats raw feature count. On the pricing side, Loom is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio bills itself as free, open-source software for recording and live streaming — and in practice that's exactly what it delivers. The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps improving rather than standing still.
Against Loom, it tends to win people over when you value a tool you can pick up without reading the manual. On the pricing side, OBS Studio is generally free — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
How to choose between Loom and OBS Studio
Pick Loom
Choose Loom if you want the more established, widely-adopted pick that most people reach for first, and you prefer a focused screen recording tool that does its core job exceptionally well.
Pick OBS Studio
Choose OBS Studio if you're watching your budget — its pricing model is the friendlier of the two to start with, and you'd rather have one screen recording tool that stretches across more of your workflow.
Pricing & how you'll pay
Based on their general pricing models, OBS Studio is the friendlier option to get started with, while the other leans more premium. That said, pricing tiers shift constantly — check the current plans on each site before you commit, especially if a specific feature you need sits behind a paywall.
Workflow & learning curve
The best screen recording tool is the one that disappears into your routine. Think about which interface feels more natural to you, which integrates with the apps you already use, and which you'd actually open every day. A short free trial of each tells you more than any feature chart.
Scope — all-rounder or specialist
OBS Studio stretches across more of the workflow, which is handy if you want fewer tools to juggle. Loom is more focused, which often means it does its core job better. Decide whether you want breadth or depth.
Momentum & community
A tool is only as good as the team and community behind it. Both Loom and OBS Studio are actively maintained and listed on DesignBookmark for that reason — but it's worth a quick look at each one's changelog and community to see which is moving in a direction you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loom better than OBS Studio?+
Neither is universally "better" — they're both strong screen recording tools, which is why people compare them. Loom suits you if you want record quick video messages of your screen and camera; OBS Studio suits you if you want free, open-source software for recording and live streaming. The best way to decide is to try both on a real project.
What's the difference between Loom and OBS Studio?+
They overlap a lot — both are screen recording tools aimed at the same audience. The practical difference is emphasis: Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera, whereas OBS Studio is free, open-source software for recording and live streaming. That shapes which workflows each one feels best for.
Is Loom or OBS Studio cheaper?+
Going by their general pricing models, OBS Studio is usually the more affordable place to start (Loom is freemium, OBS Studio is free). Pricing changes often, so always confirm the latest plans on each site before deciding.
Can I use Loom and OBS Studio together?+
Often, yes. Plenty of people use more than one screen recording tool side by side — one as their main driver and another for the things it does best. There's no rule that says you must pick only one, though most settle on a primary tool over time.
Is there a free version of Loom or OBS Studio?+
Both generally offer a free or freemium way in, so you can try Loom and OBS Studio before paying for either.
The bottom line
The bottom line: Loom is the easier one to recommend as a default, but there's no wrong answer between Loom and OBS Studio — they're both genuinely good screen recording tools. Re-read the "how to choose" points above, take whichever one speaks to you for a quick spin, and keep the one that earns a permanent place in your workflow.