OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is free, open-source software for live streaming and screen recording widely used by content creators, gamers, educators, and professionals. Originally launched in 2012, it has become the industry standard for multi-source composition, real-time encoding, and platform-agnostic broadcasting. What sets OBS apart is its scene-based workflow — instead of recording a single window or screen, you compose layered scenes with multiple video and audio sources, apply real-time filters and effects, and switch between layouts instantly. This flexibility makes it indispensable for professional streams, podcasts, webinars, and gameplay recording, but it requires understanding encoding settings, audio routing, and resource management to avoid dropped frames or poor quality output.