Last updated: 2026-01-10

For most people in the U.S. who want clear, presenter-led screen recordings without a complicated setup, StreamYard is the best place to start. When you need deep encoder control on a powerful machine, OBS is a strong local option, and Loom is handy for quick, shareable clips.

Summary

• StreamYard gives you browser-based 1080p local recordings, per-participant tracks, and flexible layouts with no software to install. (StreamYard)
• OBS offers advanced, free local recording with detailed encoder presets but needs more setup and a capable computer. (OBS)
• Loom keeps async screen videos simple, but its free plan is capped at 720p and short recordings, with paid upgrades for HD/4K. (Atlassian)
• For most creators, educators, and teams, StreamYard balances quality, ease of use, and team-friendly pricing better than other options.

What actually makes a “high-quality” screen recording?

Before you pick software, it helps to define what “high quality” really looks like in day-to-day use. Most viewers don’t care about technical specs; they care about whether they can see and hear you clearly.

For most workflows, you’ll want:

• 1080p or better video so text and UI elements are crisp.
• Clean audio from your mic and system sound, with separate control for each.
• Stable capture that doesn’t stutter when you share your screen.
• Presenter-first layouts so people can see both your face and your screen.
• Files you can reuse later in an editor (ideally with multi-track audio/video).

At StreamYard, we designed our recording studio around those outcomes rather than raw specs. You can record in 1080p locally, keep separate tracks per participant, and control layouts in the browser so your final video already feels produced. (StreamYard)

Why is StreamYard a strong default for high-quality screen videos?

If you want to hit “record” and focus on teaching, selling, or onboarding—not wrestling with settings—StreamYard is a very practical default.

Here’s what you get when you record your screen in our browser studio:

• Presenter-visible screen sharing with controllable layouts, so you can put your screen full-frame, side-by-side with your camera, or in picture-in-picture without editing.
• Independent control of screen audio and mic audio, so you can bring system sound up for a demo and keep your voice clean.
• Local multi-track recordings, which create separate audio and video files per participant for post-production. (StreamYard Support)
• Landscape and portrait outputs from the same session, making it easier to repurpose your screen explainer into vertical clips.
• Brand overlays, logos, and visual elements applied live, so you don’t have to rebuild your layout in an editor later.
• Presenter notes visible only to you, so you can stay on script without cluttering the recording.
• Multi-participant screen sharing, ideal for product walkthroughs or collaborative demos.

Because StreamYard is browser-based, you and your guests don’t have to install anything to join and record. (StreamYard) For many U.S.-based teams working on typical laptops, that combination of quality and simplicity is often more valuable than chasing extreme specs.

When does OBS make more sense than StreamYard?

OBS Studio is a powerful choice when you care most about fine-tuned control and you’re comfortable managing local hardware.

OBS is a free, open-source desktop app built for video recording and live streaming, with scene-based layouts and multiple capture sources. (OBS) It runs directly on your machine, and you can:

• Mix multiple sources (full display, windows, webcams, images) into one recording.
• Use recording presets like “High Quality”, “Indistinguishable Quality”, or “Lossless”, depending on how much storage and CPU/GPU you’re willing to spend. (OBS)
• Tap into hardware encoders like NVENC or Intel Quick Sync for more efficient recording. (Wikipedia)

Trade-offs compared to StreamYard:

• You must install and configure OBS; there’s a learning curve and an initial setup wizard.
• Recording quality and stability depend heavily on your CPU/GPU, disk, and correct settings.
• There’s no built-in cloud storage or sharing; you manage large local files and then upload them elsewhere.

Use OBS when:

• You’re capturing gameplay or heavy 3D apps where hardware-level control really matters.
• You want to experiment with advanced codecs, bitrates, and lossless workflows.
• You are comfortable trading simplicity for control.

For everyone else, StreamYard typically delivers more than enough visual quality with faster setup and collaboration, especially for training, webinars, software demos, and customer content.

Where does Loom fit for screen recording?

Loom focuses on quick, async communication. Think “explain this doc to my teammate” more than “produce a full course.”

On Loom, you can record your screen with a camera bubble and system audio across Mac, Windows, Chrome, and mobile apps. (Loom) The free plan records at 720p, with paid upgrades enabling HD or 4K output. (Atlassian)

Key advantages:

• Fast capture with a simple interface.
• Instant share links for each video, with comments and reactions.
• Strong fit for small async updates and internal communication.

Limitations to keep in mind:

• The free plan caps resolution at 720p and limits recording length and storage; you need paid tiers for HD/4K and more volume. (Loom Help)
• It’s not designed as a live production studio or multi-guest broadcast environment.

Loom pairs nicely with StreamYard: you might use Loom for quick internal notes, and use StreamYard when you need polished, branded screen recordings you can repurpose across channels.

How does StreamYard compare on cost for teams?

Pricing structures matter a lot if you’re recording on behalf of a team or business.

At StreamYard, plans are priced per workspace, not per individual user. That means multiple creators on your team can share the same workspace without multiplying subscription costs the way per-seat pricing does. Our paid plans are currently offered at $20/month and $39/month billed annually for the first year for new users, and we also provide a 7-day free trial plus frequent new-user offers. (Pricing details: StreamYard)

Loom, by contrast, bills per user per month on paid tiers, with a free Starter plan and then business pricing as you add more creators. (Loom Pricing) For a U.S.-based team with several people recording screen videos, a per-workspace model often ends up more cost-effective than per-seat pricing.

OBS is free to install and use, but each creator needs a machine that can handle local recording, plus some time to learn and maintain their own setup. (OBS)

In practice:

• Solo users can choose any of the three based on workflow.
• Growing teams often find StreamYard’s workspace-based pricing easier to budget than per-user video tools.

How should you choose the right tool for your screen recordings?

Here’s a simple way to decide, based on typical U.S. use cases:

• You want polished, presenter-led demos and tutorials with guests, branding, and minimal setup. Start with StreamYard.
• You’re a technical creator with a powerful desktop and want full control over codecs, bitrates, and scenes. Use OBS.
• You mostly send short explainer clips or quick feedback to teammates. Use Loom, and pull in StreamYard when you need a more produced session.

A quick scenario: imagine you’re launching a new SaaS product. You host a live webinar in StreamYard, record 1080p local files with separate tracks for you and your co-host, then cut that into chaptered lessons and vertical social clips—all from one recording session. Meanwhile, your support team keeps using Loom to answer one-off customer questions with short screen videos.

That’s the kind of blended stack that gives you quality where it matters, without overcomplicating your toolkit.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default for high-quality, presenter-led screen recordings, especially when you need guests, branding, or repurposable files.
• Add OBS when you specifically need advanced encoder control and have the hardware (and time) to manage a local setup.
• Use Loom for quick async clips and internal updates, not as your only production tool.
• Start with StreamYard’s browser studio, record a short test demo, and see how far you can go with simple, reliable 1080p screen recordings before adding more complexity.