Our verdict: Streamlabs Desktop packs OBS's streaming engine with alerts, overlays, chat and widgets in one app, so a first stream takes minutes to set up. The free plan covers streaming, recording and one horizontal plus one vertical output. Multistreaming, premium themes and many apps are pushed toward the paid Ultra plan.
About Streamlabs Desktop
Streamlabs Desktop is built on the OBS engine and Electron, and its code is published on GitHub under the GNU GPL v3. It streams to Twitch, YouTube, Kick, TikTok, Facebook and others, and records locally without watermarks or time limits.
Signing in with a Streamlabs account adds alerts for follows and tips, widgets, free overlays, the Cloudbot chatbot and cloud backup of your scenes. Recording works without an account. Streamlabs Ultra, a paid subscription, adds multistreaming to more destinations, premium themes, the full app library and more Collab Cam guests.
What it does well
- Alerts and widgets. Follower, subscriber and tip alerts, goals, polls and chat overlays.
- Free overlays. Hundreds of ready-made themes for scenes like starting, BRB and ending.
- Dual Output. Streams one horizontal and one vertical layout at the same time for free.
- Collab Cam. Adds a guest or a second camera to your stream with a link.
- Recording and highlights. Records locally without watermark and cuts highlights from replays.
Who it is for
Good fit
New streamers who want alerts, overlays and chat tools in one app without setting up plugins.
Look elsewhere
Users with older PCs, or anyone who dislikes upsell prompts in their tools.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast setup with themes and alerts
- Free dual horizontal and vertical output
- No watermark on recordings
- Built on the proven OBS engine
Cons
- Frequent prompts to upgrade to the paid Ultra plan
- Heavier on system resources than OBS Studio
- Alerts, widgets and cloud features need a Streamlabs account
How to install Streamlabs Desktop
Download the Windows installer, about 500 MB, and run it. On first launch connect your streaming platform, or skip sign-in if you only want to record. The setup wizard can import scenes from OBS Studio. Ultra offers appear in several places; the core streaming tools work without them.
Questions about Streamlabs Desktop
Is Streamlabs Desktop free?
Yes. Streaming, recording, alerts, widgets, some overlays and Dual Output are free. Multistreaming to more platforms, premium themes and extra apps need Streamlabs Ultra.
What is the difference between Streamlabs Desktop and OBS Studio?
Streamlabs Desktop is built on OBS and adds integrated alerts, overlays and widgets. OBS Studio is lighter and has no paid plan, but you add such features through plugins and browser sources.
Do I need an account to use Streamlabs Desktop?
No, not for recording. You need to sign in for alerts, widgets, cloud backups and platform integrations.
