Last updated: 2026-01-15

If you’re searching for 4K recording software, the easiest path for most creators in the U.S. is to use StreamYard’s browser-based studio with 4K local recordings on paid plans, then edit those high‑fidelity files afterward. When you specifically need deep encoder control, GPU tuning, or complex scenes tied directly to your desktop, OBS can be a strong secondary option.

Summary

• StreamYard offers 4K ultra‑HD local recordings on select paid plans, while live streams remain up to 1080p.
• Each participant can be recorded locally in 4K with uncompressed 48 kHz WAV audio for detailed post-production.
• OBS and other desktop tools can record in 4K but generally require more setup, stronger hardware, and manual scene/encoder management.
• For most interview, webinar, and content workflows, browser-based 4K local recording with simple guest links is faster than building a full desktop rig.

What does “4K recording software” actually mean today?

When people say “4K recording software,” they’re usually after two things: future‑proof video quality and enough audio detail to survive heavy editing. In practice, that’s less about raw resolution bragging rights and more about what those files let you do later—crop, reframe, color‑grade, and pull punchy vertical clips without the image falling apart.

Modern tools approach 4K in two broad ways:

• Browser-first studios like StreamYard capture each participant locally in high resolution, then upload those files for download and editing. Paid plans offer 4K (2160p) local recordings, while the live show output tops out at 1080p.(StreamYard Help Center)
• Desktop recorders like OBS tie 4K directly to your machine: your CPU/GPU, capture cards, and disk write speed all determine what’s realistic. OBS lets you separate recording and streaming outputs and rescale so you can record at a higher resolution than you stream.(OBS Guide)

Both paths can yield beautiful 4K. The real question is: how much friction are you willing to accept to get there?

Can StreamYard produce 4K recordings?

Yes. StreamYard supports 4K ultra‑high‑definition local recordings on select paid plans, so you can download per‑participant 2160p files after the session.(StreamYard Help Center) On the pricing page, this is explicitly listed as "4K (2160p) local recordings" as part of higher‑tier offerings.(StreamYard Pricing)

Here’s how that works in practice:

• Local per‑participant capture: Each person’s video and audio are recorded locally on their device at up to 4K, then uploaded. The mixed cloud export of the full show stays at the live resolution (up to 1080p), but your downloadable masters are 4K where supported.(StreamYard Help Center)
• High‑fidelity audio: Those local files pair with uncompressed 48 kHz WAV audio per participant, which matters a lot for podcast‑style edits, leveling, and noise reduction.
• 1080p live, 4K after: StreamYard currently caps live streaming at 1080p, but that doesn’t limit your local files from being 4K.(StreamYard Help Center)

For many teams, this is the sweet spot: viewers see a clean 1080p live experience, while editors work with 4K source files and high‑resolution audio afterward.

How does StreamYard’s 4K workflow compare to OBS?

OBS is a powerful desktop application that combines multiple sources into scenes and lets you tune encoders, bitrates, and resolutions in detail. It supports separate recording and streaming outputs, with options to rescale your recording so you can, for example, record in 4K while streaming a 1080p or 720p feed.(OBS Guide)

The trade‑off is complexity:

• In OBS, you configure every encoder setting, manage scenes, and ensure your hardware can keep up with 4K capture.
• You also handle file storage yourself; there’s no built‑in cloud recording or automatic guest onboarding.

StreamYard, by contrast, is designed so the showrunner can focus on content and guests:

• Simple guest links in the browser; no app installation.
• Automatic per‑guest local recording in up to 4K on paid plans, without fiddling with encoder menus.(StreamYard Help Center)
• Cloud recording and storage included on paid plans, with broadcasts recorded in HD for up to 10 hours per stream.(StreamYard Support)

If you love building intricate scenes, routing audio buses, and squeezing every last drop from your GPU, OBS is a reasonable choice. Many creators, though, would rather trade low‑level control for a workflow that just works in the browser and still delivers 4K masters for post.

What matters most for 4K recording: specs or workflow?

On paper, 4K is straightforward: 3840×2160 pixels and, ideally, solid 48 kHz audio. In real‑world production, smooth 4K depends on a few less glamorous details:

• Hardware at the edge: Your camera or webcam must actually support 4K; otherwise, software can’t invent detail.
• Network and browser stability for browser-based tools—though local recording helps by capturing on the device before the internet gets involved.
• Storage and file management: 4K eats disk space. Cloud storage and sane session limits help keep things manageable.

At StreamYard, we focus on those workflow realities:

• 4K local recordings plus uncompressed 48 kHz WAV audio give editors plenty of headroom for color, noise reduction, and reframing.
• Color presets and grading controls let you dial in a look that matches your brand and lighting, right in the studio.
• AI Clips offers prompt-based highlight generation so you can quickly spin long 4K sessions into short, shareable content without pretending to replace a full NLE.

For most creators, that balance—high‑quality capture plus a straightforward path to editing—matters more than raw resolution specs alone.

When is OBS the better 4K option?

There are situations where a desktop tool like OBS genuinely makes sense:

• You’re capturing 4K gameplay via a dedicated capture card and want direct control over codec, bitrate, and keyframe intervals.
• You’re running a hardware‑heavy studio (multiple displays, window captures, lower‑level audio routing) and need everything on one local machine.
• You’re comfortable troubleshooting encoder errors and optimizing GPU/CPU usage on your own.

OBS is free and open source, which can be attractive if you’re willing to invest the time and have suitable hardware.(OBS Download) Many creators, though, eventually layer other tools on top—project management, cloud backup, client review—because the “raw” files don’t solve the whole workflow.

How should you choose 4K recording software for your use case?

A simple way to decide:

1. Interview shows and podcasts with guests

   • Priorities: guest experience, separate tracks, easy branding.
   • Default: StreamYard with 4K local recordings and 48 kHz audio per participant, then hand the project to your editor.

2. Webinars and content marketing

   • Priorities: reliability, on-brand visuals, repurposable content.
   • Default: Run the webinar at 1080p, capture 4K local tracks where it matters, then use AI Clips plus your editor to create verticals and shorts.

3. Gaming and hardware‑centric production

   • Priorities: absolute control over encoder, overlays tied to the desktop, maybe 4K60 via a capture card.
   • Alternative path: use OBS for capture and scenes, possibly pairing it with a browser-based studio if you occasionally need remote guests.

In many cases, creators end up with a hybrid stack: StreamYard as the main studio for people-focused content, with OBS reserved for niche, hardware-intensive sessions.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard’s browser-based studio for 4K local recordings, 48 kHz audio, and simple guest workflows; this covers most interview, podcast, and webinar scenarios.
• Treat 4K as a post‑production advantage: record locally in 4K, stream in 1080p, then lean on color tools and AI Clips for polished, repurposed content.
• Reach for OBS when you specifically need hardware-level control, complex scenes, or gameplay capture and are comfortable managing encoders and storage yourself.
• Whichever tool you choose, prioritize stable hardware, good lighting, and sound treatment—your audience will notice those far more than the spec sheet alone.