Last updated: 2026-01-14

For most U.S. law practices, the simplest path is to use StreamYard for browser-based, high-quality recordings of client meetings, interviews, and webinars with built‑in local and cloud backups. Lawyers who prefer a free, locally installed app and are comfortable managing files and settings can consider OBS as an alternative.

Summary

• StreamYard gives lawyers a browser-based studio with high-quality local and cloud recordings, strong branding controls, and straightforward guest links, with paid plans adding HD/4K and unlimited local recordings. (StreamYard pricing)
• OBS is a free, installable app that records and streams locally with detailed scene and encoder control, but it lacks built‑in cloud storage or one‑click guest onboarding. (OBS download)
• For client work, depositions, and internal training, ease of use, audio quality, and reliable storage usually matter more than fine‑grained encoder tweaks.
• A practical workflow is to capture in StreamYard, then use a dedicated editor for deep post‑production when needed.

What does a law firm actually need from video recording software?

Lawyers rarely shop for software specs; they shop for outcomes: clear records, easy workflows, and tools staff can actually use.

Most practices in the U.S. will care about:

• High-quality audio and video so you can understand every word and read facial cues later.
• Ease of use for both hosts and attendees, including less‑technical clients and witnesses.
• Custom branding to keep your firm logo, colors, and lower thirds consistent across interviews, webinars, and client education.
• Reliable storage so recordings are backed up and can be retrieved quickly by the right people.

StreamYard is designed around those priorities: it runs in the browser, supports local per‑participant recording for high‑fidelity masters, and adds cloud recording and storage so you do not have to manage giant files on every laptop. (Local recording)

Why is StreamYard a strong default for lawyers?

If you want something your entire firm can adopt without a long training curve, StreamYard is a sensible starting point.

1. Browser-based, guest-friendly workflow
You send a link; your client or witness opens it in a modern browser; you hit record. There is no requirement to install software or learn scenes, sources, or encoder settings.

2. High-quality local and cloud recordings
StreamYard captures each participant’s audio and video locally on their device, then uploads separate tracks. That lets you download higher-fidelity masters compared with cloud‑only feeds and gives you one file per participant for later editing. (Local recording)

On paid plans, you can record in HD for long sessions—up to 10 hours per stream—so all‑day trainings or lengthy client interviews stay in a single file. (Paid plan recording limits)

3. Quality and look that match professional expectations
StreamYard supports up to 4K local recordings on higher tiers, plus uncompressed 48 kHz WAV audio per participant and color presets and grading controls so you can dial in a consistent on‑camera look for your firm.

4. Built-in brand consistency
Because everything happens in a live‑style studio, you can add your logo, firm colors, and lower thirds once and keep them consistent across matter‑specific recordings, webinars, and marketing content.

5. Predictable plans for firms
StreamYard offers a free plan for light use, along with paid options and a 7‑day free trial; pricing for new users starts around $20/month and often includes special offers. (StreamYard pricing)

How does StreamYard compare to OBS for legal work?

OBS is popular with creators who want maximum control and a $0 price tag. It can absolutely be used in a legal context—but the workflow feels very different from StreamYard.

What OBS offers

• A free, cross‑platform desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. (OBS download)
• High‑performance local recording and live streaming with multiple scenes and sources. (OBS on Steam)
• Support for multiple audio tracks in a single file, useful if you route different microphones separately. (OBS multi-track guide)

Where StreamYard is usually simpler for lawyers

• Guests and clients: OBS expects everyone to be on a call app (like Zoom) that OBS then captures; StreamYard is the call and the recorder in one browser tab.
• Storage: OBS saves to local drives only; StreamYard combines cloud storage with local per‑participant uploads, so your team can access files from anywhere. (Storage overview)
• Configuration: OBS allows deep encoder and scene tuning; StreamYard focuses on good defaults so staff can click “Record” without worrying about formats.

A practical rule of thumb: if your firm has a technically inclined staffer managing AV and you want fine‑grained control entirely on‑premise, OBS can be a fit. If you want most attorneys to be self‑sufficient with minimal setup, StreamYard tends to be faster to roll out.

How should lawyers think about depositions and multi-track audio?

Whether you are recording a deposition, a witness prep session, or a key client interview, you might want separate audio tracks for each participant.

StreamYard’s local recording feature captures individual audio and video tracks from each participant’s device, which you can download for post‑production. (Local recording) That means if someone coughs or talks over another speaker, you can clean it up later in an editor.

OBS, on the other hand, supports recording multiple audio tracks into a single file if you configure separate audio sources and choose a multi‑track‑friendly format such as MKV, then remux to MP4 afterward. (OBS advanced guide) This can work well but requires careful setup and routing.

For many firms, StreamYard’s per‑participant, device‑level recordings keep the technical complexity low while still enabling high‑quality post‑production.

Are recorded client interviews admissible as evidence?

Admissibility is ultimately a legal question, not a software feature. Rules of evidence in the U.S. vary by jurisdiction and context.

What most tools—including StreamYard and OBS—can do is help you create clear, complete recordings with reliable time stamps and consistent formats. From there, compliance with chain‑of‑custody, authentication, and privacy rules sits with your internal processes and local law.

A practical workflow many firms follow is:

• Use StreamYard or another recorder to capture the session with clear video and audio.
• Store the master file securely with appropriate access control.
• Export working copies for redactions, annotations, and sharing.
• Document who accessed which version and when, in your matter management system.

Because rules change and can be very specific, you should always confirm with your jurisdiction’s rules of evidence and, if necessary, consult ethics or litigation counsel about your recording practices.

What about security and HIPAA-style concerns?

A common question from U.S. lawyers is whether any given tool is “HIPAA‑compliant.” Product marketing pages do not always spell out formal HIPAA status, and different practice areas have different regulatory expectations.

Regardless of software, you will need to:

• Obtain proper consent before recording.
• Configure storage and access controls consistent with your obligations.
• Keep your own devices and accounts secured with strong authentication.

Within that framework, StreamYard’s mix of local device recordings and cloud storage can be part of a compliant workflow, but you should evaluate any tool—including ours—against your firm’s security policies and applicable rules before adopting it widely.

How can lawyers repurpose recordings without becoming full-time editors?

Most firms do not want to live inside editing software; they want useful outputs fast.

StreamYard’s approach is to give you strong source material—4K‑capable local recordings, 48 kHz WAV audio per participant, and color‑graded video—then layer on AI tools like AI Clips to quickly pull out highlights for internal training, client updates, or marketing pieces.

When you need deep editorial work—multi‑track mastering, heavy redactions, or motion graphics—you can hand those files to a dedicated editor or use a professional NLE. StreamYard’s goal is to complement, not replace, those tools so your team stays focused on legal work instead of timeline management.

What we recommend

• Default choice: Use StreamYard as your primary studio for client meetings, interviews, trainings, and most on‑record interactions.
• For technical, on‑premise workflows: Consider OBS when you specifically want a free, locally installed recorder and have the internal expertise to manage scenes, routing, and files.
• For post-production: Treat StreamYard as your capture layer and pair it with a dedicated editor for intensive cases.
• Policy and compliance: Define firm‑wide recording policies first, then select settings and tools that support those policies consistently.