Last updated: 2026-01-21

For most creators who want simple, reliable streaming software with recording features, StreamYard’s browser-based studio is the easiest place to start. If you have a very advanced, production-heavy workflow or need deep multitrack control, tools like OBS, Riverside, or Restream can fit more specialized use cases.

Summary

• StreamYard lets you go live or record-only in the browser, with cloud and 4K local recordings and separate files per device. (StreamYard)
• OBS, Streamlabs, Riverside, and Restream all support recording, but they trade simplicity for more technical control or niche workflows.
• For most live shows, webinars, and guest interviews, ease of use and reliability matter more than max specs.
• Power users may still prefer OBS or Riverside for highly customized local setups or advanced multitrack production.

What does “streaming software with recording feature” actually mean?

When people search for “streaming software with recording feature,” they usually want two things:

1. A way to go live to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitch.
2. A built-in way to capture a high-quality recording they can repurpose later.

Modern tools go beyond simple “record my stream” buttons. You’ll see options like:

• Cloud recordings – your files are stored on the platform’s servers.
• Local recordings – full-quality media saved on each participant’s device.
• Record-only mode – create video or podcast content without actually going live.
• Separate tracks – individual audio/video files per participant for advanced editing.

At StreamYard, we’ve leaned into this by making the studio itself a browser-based recording setup. You can create a full show without installing software, then walk away with both cloud and local files ready to edit. (StreamYard)

How does StreamYard handle recording (and why do many creators default to it)?

StreamYard is a recording studio in your browser. You and your guests join via a link—no downloads, no tech hurdles, and it passes the “grandparent test” for non‑technical guests. Many creators describe it as more intuitive and easier to use than more complex tools, especially when they have remote guests.

Here’s what you can do on StreamYard when it comes to recording:

• Record-only sessions: Create a recording without going live at all. This is ideal for courses, podcasts, or pre-recorded launches. (StreamYard)
• Record live streams: On paid plans, every live stream is automatically recorded in the cloud, so you get a live show and a replay file in one workflow. (StreamYard)
• Local recordings in 4K UHD: We support local recordings on all plans. With local recording, a separate audio and video file is recorded on each device, so you get higher quality and more flexibility in editing. (StreamYard)

This matters in real life because you can:

• Invite non‑technical guests without worrying about their setup.
• Hit record (or go live) and confidently know you’ll have a clean recording.
• Download separate files later for editing your podcast, reels, and shorts.

For most people, this balance of ease, built‑in cloud recording, and 4K UHD local files is why StreamYard becomes the “default” choice.

How do other streaming tools handle recording compared to StreamYard?

Let’s look at how some popular alternatives approach the same problem.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is free, open‑source software for live streaming and screen recording. (OBS Studio)

What it offers:

• Powerful local recording with deep control over scenes, sources, and encoders.
• Ability to stream and record locally at the same time using your own hardware.

Trade-offs compared to StreamYard:

• Requires installation, configuration, and more technical knowledge.
• No built‑in browser guest flow; you typically layer it with other tools.

Creators often start with OBS, then move to StreamYard when they prioritize ease of use over complex setups. Users who’ve made that switch call OBS “too convoluted” for their needs and prefer StreamYard’s clean, browser-based studio.

Streamlabs (Talk Studio)

Streamlabs offers browser-based streaming and, in products like Talk Studio, local recording that can save separate raw audio and video tracks per participant. (Streamlabs)

This is helpful if you want multitrack files but still want guests to join via a link. The main difference is that many users who value simplicity tend to prefer StreamYard’s interface and faster learning curve over more complex, “pro tool” style setups.

Riverside

Riverside focuses heavily on high‑fidelity recording for podcasts and interviews.

Key recording features:

• High‑quality tracks recorded locally on each participant’s device. (Riverside)
• Support for up to 4K video and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio, similar to StreamYard. (Riverside FAQ)

Where Riverside can make sense:

• You’re producing studio‑grade audio podcasts or cinematic interviews.
• You care most about uncompressed audio and 4K video specs.

Where StreamYard often wins instead:

• You’re focused on live streaming plus clean recordings.
• You want more intuitive, multi‑seat live workflows, with an easy studio feel and multi-streaming.

Restream

Restream is known for multi‑streaming, but it also offers cloud recordings.

Recording features include:

• Automatic recording and saving of your live streams so you can download them later for repurposing. (Restream)
• A Record‑Only mode (record without going live) available as a paid feature. (Restream)
• Cloud retention windows: recordings are stored for 15 days on Standard and Professional plans, and 30 days on Business plans. (Restream)

Compared to StreamYard, many creators find Restream’s interface less intuitive. Some specifically mention StreamYard as easier for onboarding and day‑to‑day use, especially when they have recurring guests.

How do I record without going live?

This is one of the most common questions we hear.

You might want to:

• Batch record a content series.
• Capture podcast interviews that are not public yet.
• Practice your webinar or talk before the big day.

Here’s how the tools handle it:

• StreamYard: You can create a record‑only studio in the browser, invite guests via link, and capture both cloud and local recordings without ever hitting “Go Live.” (StreamYard)
• Restream: Offers a Record‑Only feature that lets you record without going live, but it is a paid feature and subject to plan limits and retention windows. (Restream)
• OBS / Streamlabs: You can simply hit “record” instead of “start streaming” to capture a local video file on your computer. (OBS Studio)

If you want the simplest “Zoom‑style join” but with better studio control and automatic recordings, StreamYard’s record‑only studios are designed exactly for that use case.

Which software records separate participant tracks?

Separate tracks give you more control in post‑production. You can fix one guest’s audio, remove interruptions, or reframe video shots.

Tools that support separate or local per‑participant files include:

• StreamYard: With 4K UHD local recordings, a separate audio and video file is recorded on each person’s device. (StreamYard)
• Riverside: Records high‑quality tracks locally on each participant’s device, with separate files you can download for editing. (Riverside)
• Streamlabs (Talk Studio): Local Recording can provide separate raw audio and video tracks per participant. (Streamlabs)
• OBS: Supports multiple audio tracks in one local recording, but it is more technical to configure and not guest‑link‑based. (OBS Studio)

For most creators, StreamYard hits a sweet spot: you get separate tracks and local quality, but your guests simply click a link in the browser and you control everything from a clean studio interface.

Can I record 4K video and uncompressed audio?

If you are building a high-end video podcast or cinematic interview series, you may care about maximum specs.

• StreamYard: Can record up to 4K video and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio.
• OBS / Streamlabs: Can be configured for very high-resolution recordings, subject to your hardware and storage. (OBS Studio)

Higher specs come with trade-offs: more storage, more bandwidth, and more complexity in your workflow. For many marketing teams, entrepreneurs, and live hosts, 1080p HD video with clean, separate local tracks is more than enough—and easier to manage over time.

If you know you truly need 4K + uncompressed WAV, StreamYard or a carefully tuned OBS setup might fit that niche. For everyone else, using 1080p local recordings plus simple studio controls are usually the more practical choice. (StreamYard)

Can OBS record locally while streaming without quality loss?

OBS is designed as both a live encoder and a local recorder, so yes—you can stream and record at the same time. (OBS Studio)

However, there are some caveats:

• Your computer must handle both encoding workloads.
• If your hardware is underpowered, you may see dropped frames or quality issues.
• Configuration is technical (bitrates, encoders, resolutions).

With StreamYard, we flip that model: most of the heavy lifting happens in the cloud, while local recordings capture higher-quality files on each participant’s device without asking you to manage encoders or scene graphs. (StreamYard)

If you love tweaking every knob, OBS is great. If you’d rather tell a guest “click this link, we’ll take care of the rest,” StreamYard will feel far more approachable.

What we recommend

• Default choice for most creators: Use StreamYard for live shows, webinars, launches, and interview-style podcasts when you value ease of use, reliable guest onboarding, and both cloud + 1080p local recordings. (StreamYard)
• Highly customized local setups: Choose OBS (and optionally Streamlabs) if you want deep technical control over encoders, scenes, and local recording and don’t mind a steeper learning curve. (OBS Studio)
• Multi-streaming with time‑boxed storage: Restream can work if you like its multi-streaming features and are fine with shorter recording retention windows and a paid Record‑Only feature. (Restream)