Last updated: 2026-01-20

For most Linux creators who want a native desktop app and big community, OBS Studio is the go-to streaming software. If you care more about simplicity, guests who "just join and go," and a studio that runs in your browser on Linux, StreamYard is usually the better day-to-day choice.

Summary

• OBS Studio is the leading native streaming software for Linux, with active GitHub development, forums, and community help. (OBS Download, OBS GitHub)
• StreamYard runs entirely in the browser and works on most Linux distributions, making it a great option if you want ease of use, multi-guest shows, and no installs. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Restream Studio is another browser-based choice that supports Linux via modern browsers like Chrome and Firefox. (Restream Help Center)
• Streamlabs Desktop and Riverside currently focus on other operating systems, so they are not ideal if you need a Linux-first setup. (Streamlabs Support, Riverside Support)

What does “streaming software for Linux with good community support” really mean?

When people search for streaming software for Linux with good community support, they’re usually asking for three things:

1. A Linux-friendly app that actually runs well on their distro.
2. Reliable documentation and community, so they’re not stuck when something breaks.
3. Tools that fit their workflow — whether that’s gaming on a single PC, interviews with remote guests, or webinars.

On the native side, OBS Studio checks all three boxes: it’s free, open-source, and officially supports Linux with community forums, Discord, and a knowledge base. (OBS Download, OBS Wiki)
On the browser-based side, we focus on giving you a studio that “just works” on Linux as long as you have a modern browser, with a much gentler learning curve than pro-style tools.

Is OBS Studio the best choice for Linux streaming?

If you want a native Linux application and maximum control, OBS Studio is hard to beat.

• OBS Studio is explicitly available for Linux on its download page. You can choose Linux alongside Windows and macOS. (OBS Download)
• It’s free and open source, designed for both live streaming and recording. (OBS Wiki)
• OBS is officially distributed as a Flatpak on Flathub and via a PPA for supported Ubuntu versions, which makes installation and updates straightforward. (OBS Download)
• The project has a very active GitHub with many stars and open issues, signaling a large developer and user community. (OBS GitHub)
• Support channels include a knowledge base, Discord, forums, and a help portal. (OBS Download)

For Linux creators who love to tinker — custom scenes, plugins, complex audio routing — OBS is a strong pick.

Where OBS can feel challenging is setup and learning curve. Many users who start there eventually move to StreamYard because they don’t want to wrestle with complex configurations every time they go live. Some have told us they found OBS "too convoluted" and chose us for the clean interface and quick learning curve.

So if you love full control and aren’t afraid to tweak, OBS is likely your best native option on Linux. If you prefer something that feels more like a ready-made studio, keep reading.

How to install OBS Studio on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions

Here’s a practical, high-level path to set up OBS on Linux (always double-check the exact steps for your distro):

1. Go to the official download page

   • Visit the OBS download page and select Linux to see the recommended install methods. (OBS Download)

2. Use the Flatpak build (many distros)

   • OBS Studio is officially distributed as a Flatpak on Flathub, which makes installation consistent across different Linux distributions. (OBS Download)
   • Once Flatpak and Flathub are enabled on your system, you can search for and install OBS from your software center or via the command line.

3. Use the Ubuntu PPA (Ubuntu 24.04+ and similar)

   • If you’re on Ubuntu 24.04 or newer, OBS provides an official PPA that you can add, then install OBS via your package manager. (OBS Download)

4. Lean on the community when you get stuck

   • For audio issues, capture card problems, or performance tuning, the OBS forums, Discord, and knowledge base are your best friends. (OBS Download, OBS Wiki)

If that list already feels like a lot, that’s exactly where browser-based studios shine: no packages, no PPAs, just open a tab and go live.

Which browser-based studios are best for Linux: StreamYard or Restream?

If you’re on Linux and don’t want to manage native installs, browser-based tools give you a powerful shortcut.

StreamYard on Linux

We run 100% in the browser. Our studio can work on almost any operating system, including most Linux distributions, as long as you’re using a supported browser like Chrome or similar. (StreamYard Help Center)

Here’s what creators tell us they appreciate:

• “It just works” for guests – No downloads, no installers, no terminal commands. Guests join from a link and are reliably in the studio, which many people say passes the “grandparent test.”
• Fast learning curve – People who tried OBS or Streamlabs and found them complex often “jumped on” StreamYard for ease of use, user-friendliness, and a clean interface.
• Live confidence – Users call out our reliability and the fact that they can even help guests configure things over the phone.
• Multi-streaming and remote guests by default – When they need multi-streaming or several remote guests, many creators “default to StreamYard.”

On top of that, our pricing is simple:

• Free plan: great for getting started.
• Core plan: $35.99/month billed annually.
• Advanced plan: $68.99/month billed annually.

We also offer a 7-day free trial and often have special offers for new users.

For a Linux user who wants less fiddling and more publishing, a browser-based studio like ours often beats a native app — not on raw configurability, but on time saved and stress avoided.

Restream Studio on Linux

Restream Studio is another browser-based option that works on Linux. Their guidance lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported, with Chrome recommended and Firefox, Arc, Edge, and Safari also usable. (Restream Help Center)

If you already use Restream to multistream and like their workflow, their web studio can be a natural fit on Linux.

Where we typically stand out is onboarding and control:

• Creators tell us StreamYard feels easier than Restream for day-to-day use.
• Many prefer our dedicated production studio feel, simple invite links, and quick setup when bringing in multiple remote guests.

For most Linux streamers who want a browser studio, both tools can work. We design StreamYard to be the default choice when ease, reliability, and multi-guest shows are your top priorities.

Does Streamlabs Desktop support Linux or plan to release a Linux client?

If you’ve heard of Streamlabs Desktop, you might be wondering if it has a Linux version.

Right now, Streamlabs Desktop’s system requirements list only Windows 10 and macOS 12 or higher. (Streamlabs Support)

That means:

• There is no official Linux desktop client from Streamlabs in their requirements documentation.
• If you’re on Linux, you would need to look to tools like OBS Studio or browser-based studios instead.

This is one more reason many Linux creators end up with:

• OBS Studio for native power.
• StreamYard as an easy, OS-agnostic studio in the browser.

Is Riverside a good option for Linux streamers?

Riverside is often discussed in the context of high-quality remote recording. But if you’re on Linux, there’s one important detail you should know.

Riverside’s system requirements include a list of unsupported computers, and Linux machines are on that list. (Riverside Support)

So if your primary need is:

• Live streaming from Linux.
• A browser-based studio that supports your operating system.
• Multi-seat shows with several remote guests.

Then a Linux-friendly tool like StreamYard is usually a more practical choice.

We also hear from users who evaluated Riverside and ultimately chose us because we are more intuitive and easy to use, and because they wanted the option to have multiple seats in their studio.

What we recommend

• If you want a native Linux app and deep community support: Choose OBS Studio. Install it via Flatpak or the official Ubuntu PPA, and lean on their forums, Discord, and documentation when you need help. (OBS Download, OBS Wiki)
• If you prioritize ease of use, fast guest onboarding, and multi-streaming from Linux: Use StreamYard in a modern browser. You get a production-ready studio without managing installs, plus a free plan and paid plans starting at $35.99/month billed annually. (StreamYard Help Center)
• If you already rely on Restream for distribution and want a web studio: Restream Studio is a valid Linux-friendly choice via Chrome or Firefox. (Restream Help Center)
• If you’re on Linux, skip tools that don’t support your OS today: Streamlabs Desktop and Riverside currently focus on other operating systems, so most Linux streamers are better served by OBS plus a browser-based studio like StreamYard. (Streamlabs Support, Riverside Support)