Last updated: 2026-01-15

For most people in the US weighing screen recording software vs broadcasting software, start with a browser-based studio like StreamYard so you can record, go live, and repurpose content from the same place. If you only need quick one-off async clips or highly technical local capture, tools like Loom or OBS can play a supporting role alongside StreamYard.

Summary

• Screen recording tools capture what’s on your display; broadcasting tools run a live show and often record it for you.
• StreamYard gives you a browser studio for screen + camera, local multi-track recordings, and live broadcasting without installs.StreamYard pricing
• OBS is a powerful, free desktop app for local recording and advanced scenes; Loom focuses on quick async screen shares with strict free limits.OBS Loom plans
• For most demos, webinars, and recurring content, StreamYard covers both recording and broadcasting in a simpler, team-friendly workflow.

What’s the real difference between screen recording and broadcasting software?

Screen recording software focuses on capturing your screen (often with your webcam) and saving a file or link. You hit record, walk through your content, then share or download the result.

Broadcasting software runs a live show. It sends your video and audio to destinations like YouTube, LinkedIn, or a custom RTMP, and often records at the same time.

There’s a lot of overlap:

• Both can show your screen and camera.
• Both can produce high-quality recordings.
• Both can be used for product demos or tutorials.

The big difference is live vs not-live and how much control you have over layouts and distribution. That’s why many creators and teams end up wanting one tool that can comfortably do both.

When is a simple screen recorder enough?

A dedicated screen recorder can be the right call when:

• You’re sending quick feedback or walkthroughs to coworkers.
• You don’t need a polished layout—just “here’s my screen and voice.”
• You’re okay with sharing via a link instead of going live.

Loom is a good example here. Its free Starter plan lets you record up to 25 videos at up to 5 minutes each per person, with simple screen-and-camera capture and cloud hosting.Loom Starter limits

For many teams, though, those limits make Loom a supplement, not the main studio. Long-form demos, webinars, and recurring trainings quickly bump into caps, which is when a broadcasting-style studio with more flexible recording becomes necessary.

What does a broadcasting studio like StreamYard actually give you?

Broadcasting software isn’t just “screen recorder plus a Go Live button.” A studio like StreamYard gives you:

• Presenter-visible screen sharing with layouts you control – You can bring your screen on and off stage, switch between full-screen slides and picture-in-picture, and keep an eye on what your audience sees.
• Independent audio control – Manage your microphone separately from system audio so product sounds, music, or notifications don’t drown out your voice.
• Local multi-track recordings – On StreamYard, each participant can be recorded locally with separate audio/video files, which is ideal for repurposing and clean edits later.Local recording
• Landscape and portrait from the same session – Record once and reuse in widescreen for YouTube or in vertical for Shorts, Reels, and Stories.
• Live branding – Apply logos, overlays, and lower thirds as you present, so the exported recording is already on-brand.
• Presenter notes only you can see – Keep talking points handy without exposing them to your audience.
• Multi-participant screen sharing – Multiple teammates can share screens in the same studio, making collaborative demos and panel-style walkthroughs much easier.

On paid plans, we also auto-record your broadcasts to the cloud in HD for up to 10 hours per stream, giving you long-form archives you can download, trim, or clip later.Paid plan features

For most US creators and teams, this “record, go live, and repurpose from one browser tab” setup is the sweet spot.

How do StreamYard, OBS, and Loom differ for screen recording?

A practical way to compare is to imagine the same product demo in three tools.

StreamYard (browser studio)

• You open a browser, enter the studio, invite a colleague, and share your screen.
• Layouts, branding, and overlays are handled live, so your final recording is ready to publish.
• Local multi-track recordings give you separate files for each speaker, which editors love.Local recording
• On paid plans, the whole session is also saved in the cloud, up to 10 hours per stream.Storage and caps

OBS (installed desktop app)

• OBS is free, open source, and installed on Windows, macOS, or Linux.OBS overview
• You set up scenes that mix display capture, windows, cameras, and overlays.
• OBS can record and stream at the same time, with separate presets and even different encoders for recording vs streaming if you want that level of control.OBS recording presets
• Everything saves locally, so you manage files and backups yourself.

Loom (async recorder)

• You hit record via a desktop app or browser extension, choose Screen + Camera/Screen Only/Camera Only, then talk through the demo.Capture modes
• The video uploads automatically to Loom’s library, ready to share with a link.
• On Starter, you’re limited to 5 minutes per recording and 25 stored videos per person unless you upgrade.Loom Starter limits

Put simply: OBS favors deep configuration and local control, Loom favors quick async sharing, and StreamYard covers both live and recorded use cases from a browser studio most people can operate in minutes.

How do pricing models impact teams and collaborators?

For solo creators, the price difference between tools might feel small. For teams, the pricing model matters a lot.

• Loom uses per-user pricing: its Business plan is billed per user per month, with unlimited recording time and storage once you upgrade.Loom pricing
• OBS is free software, but you’re investing in capable hardware, storage, and setup time.OBS overview
• StreamYard uses per-workspace pricing in USD for US customers. The Free plan is free; paid plans are billed per workspace, not per user, and we offer a 7-day free trial plus frequent special offers for new users.

That last point is crucial: for teams, a per-workspace model often ends up significantly cheaper than paying per seat, especially if not everyone records daily. You can invite multiple collaborators into one StreamYard studio without multiplying your subscription.

How should you choose for product demos and recurring content?

Most people searching “screen recording software vs broadcasting software” are really asking, “What should I use to run great demos without making my life harder?”

A practical decision tree:

• You mainly need live demos, webinars, or recurring trainings → Start with StreamYard. You get controlled layouts, multi-participant support, local multi-tracks, and cloud backups in one place.Local recording
• You’re doing highly technical, hardware-tuned recordings (e.g., gameplay, complex capture chains) → Layer OBS into your toolkit. Use it when you specifically need encoder-level control and local-only workflows.
• You’re sending very short async updates and comments inside tools like Slack or Jira → Use Loom as a lightweight add-on for quick link-based clips, while still leaning on StreamYard for anything longer, multi-guest, or brand-critical.Loom Starter limits

Plenty of teams happily mix tools. But when there’s only budget or time to master one primary studio, a browser-based broadcaster that doubles as a recorder tends to create more long-term value.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default studio for screen recordings, live demos, and webinars—especially when multiple people or destinations are involved.
• Add OBS for specialized, hardware-tuned local recording workflows where you need deep encoder and scene control.
• Use Loom for quick async clips and internal feedback, not as your main production studio.
• Prioritize tools that are easy for guests and teammates to join and that give you reusable, high-quality recordings from every session.