OBS or vMix: Which One for Your Live Production?

OBS Studio and vMix are two of the most used tools for producing live video on a computer. Both combine cameras, screens, graphics and audio into a program that you stream or record. The right choice depends on your show, your team and your budget.

OBS Studio

• Free and open source.
• Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
• Scene-based: you build scenes from sources and switch between them.
• Extensible: plugins add features, such as NDI input and output.
• Best for: creators, small teams and setups where cost and flexibility matter most.

vMix

• Commercial software for Windows, sold in editions with different feature sets.
• Built for live production: multiple inputs, instant replay, titles, built-in NDI support, and remote guest features depending on the edition.
• Production-oriented interface: preview and program, transitions and a familiar switcher workflow.
• Best for: studios and broadcasters who want production features out of the box.

Questions to ask

• Which operating system will the production computer run?
• How many cameras and inputs do you need, and how do they arrive (capture cards or NDI)?
• Will one person produce the show, or a team?
• Do you need features like replay, advanced titles or remote guests?

Either one works with restreaming

Both OBS and vMix can send your program over RTMP, and they can work with SRT, depending on version and configuration. That signal can go to a restreaming server that delivers it everywhere.

Fast Monkey Creator accepts RTMP or SRT from OBS, vMix, Wirecast or hardware encoders. For radio studios, Fast Monkey Station switches vMix or OBS scenes automatically during commercial breaks.

Read: How to choose bitrate and resolution for live streaming