Last updated: 2026-01-09

For most people searching for “screen recording software with plugin support,” the smartest move is to start with a browser-based studio like StreamYard for reliable, branded recordings and only add an OBS-style plugin setup if you truly need deep audio or visual customization. If your workflow absolutely depends on VST audio plugins, experimental filters, or niche capture sources, a desktop encoder such as OBS can complement StreamYard rather than replace it.

Summary

• Start with StreamYard for fast, presenter-led screen recordings, multi-participant demos, and high-quality local multi-track files without plugin maintenance.
• Use OBS when you specifically need local plugins (VST audio effects, custom sources, experimental filters) and are comfortable tuning settings. (OBS Project)
• Use Loom when you mainly want quick async screen shares that live as links inside tools like Slack or Jira rather than in a studio. (Loom Help)
• For many US teams, a StreamYard-first setup plus optional OBS on one machine covers both easy recording and advanced plugin use.

What does “screen recording with plugin support” actually mean?

When people say they want “plugin support,” they usually mean one of three things:

1. Extra audio processing – for example, using VST noise reduction, EQ, or compression during a screen recording.
2. Special sources or filters – virtual cameras, virtual mics, or effects that are not built into the recorder.
3. Integrations with other tools – sending or embedding videos in work apps without manually uploading files.

OBS is the clearest example of local plugin extensibility. It supports third‑party plugins that add new sources, filters, and other features, and it can load VST 2.x audio plugins for in‑app processing. (OBS Project) This is powerful, but it also means you are responsible for installing, updating, and troubleshooting every piece.

By contrast, StreamYard focuses on a managed, browser-based studio with built‑in production tools instead of exposing an OBS‑style local plugin interface. (StreamYard Blog) That trade-off removes a lot of setup friction for everyday screen recording.

When is a browser-based studio better than a plugin-heavy desktop app?

If your intent is to record clear, presenter-led screen walkthroughs that you can reuse across channels, a browser studio usually wins on speed and reliability.

With StreamYard, you can:

• Share your screen while keeping it visible to you inside the studio, with layouts you can fully control.
• Manage screen audio and microphone audio independently, so you can mute one without touching the other.
• Capture local multi-track recordings for each participant, which are ideal for post‑production and repurposing.
• Produce both landscape and portrait outputs from the same session, useful for YouTube plus Shorts/Reels from a single recording.
• Add branded overlays, logos, and other visual elements live, instead of bolting on graphics later.
• Keep presenter notes visible only to the host so you can stay on script without cluttering the recording.
• Run collaborative demos with multiple participants sharing screens in the same studio.

Because everything runs in the browser, guests can join and share screens without installing a heavy desktop encoder. Many teams find that this “just works” approach matters more than chasing one more audio plugin.

For US users on typical laptops—think marketing teams, founders, product managers—those outcomes are usually more important than manual control of every codec and plugin.

Can I run OBS plugins or VSTs inside StreamYard?

No. StreamYard does not run OBS plugins, VSTs, or any other local plugin formats inside the browser studio. StreamYard deliberately avoids an OBS-style plugin system and instead emphasizes built‑in production tools and a managed environment. (StreamYard Blog)

If you need VST 2.x processing or specialized OBS plugins, a practical approach is:

• Use OBS on one machine as a “front-end encoder” with your plugins.
• Send that output to StreamYard via a virtual camera or capture source when you want the benefits of StreamYard’s layouts, guests, and recordings.

This hybrid setup lets power users keep their plugin workflows without forcing the rest of the team into OBS complexity.

How to install and use VST 2.x plugins in OBS for screen capture audio

If you know you need plugin support for audio, OBS is the right place to use it.

At a high level, the flow looks like this (details will vary by plugin and OS):

1. Install the VST plugin

   • Download a VST 2.x plugin from a trusted source.
   • Install it to the folder your OS and OBS will scan for VSTs.

2. Confirm OBS can see it

   • In OBS, add or select your audio source (e.g., your microphone or desktop audio).
   • Add a filter and choose the VST 2.x plugin filter type.
   • Pick your plugin from the dropdown; OBS supports many VST 2.x plugins for live audio processing. (OBS VST Guide)

3. Dial in your settings

   • Open the plugin UI from within OBS and adjust EQ, compression, or noise reduction while speaking.
   • Test a short screen recording and check that CPU usage and levels are stable.

4. Layer OBS into a broader workflow (optional)

   • Once the audio is dialed in, you can either record locally in OBS or route OBS’s output into a browser studio like StreamYard via a virtual camera.

This gives you a plugin-rich audio path when you truly need it, without forcing every project or teammate into plugin management.

Which screen recording tools provide hosted integrations (Slack, Jira, Confluence)?

There is another kind of “plugin” many people care about: hosted integrations where videos expand and play directly inside the tools your team already uses.

Loom leans heavily in this direction. It offers link-based recordings that expand or play inline in multiple tools, including communication and collaboration platforms like Slack, Jira, and Confluence. (Loom Help) For teams who mainly want to drop quick explainer videos into tickets and chats, that feels almost like having a “plugin” in every app.

StreamYard takes a different approach:

• Record in a structured studio, then download high-quality files or publish them to the platforms where you want reach (YouTube, social, private hubs, LMS, etc.).
• Because you are working with reusable video files and multi-track audio, you have more flexibility for editing and repurposing than with a purely link-based system.

The trade-off is simple: Loom favors instant inline playback in work tools, while StreamYard favors production‑grade recordings you can reuse across channels.

Which Loom integrations are gated to Enterprise or paid plans?

If you are considering Loom specifically for integrations, pricing and plan scope matter.

Loom’s Salesforce integration, for example, is only available on the Enterprise plan. (Loom Help) Other integrations and advanced features also vary by plan.

For comparison, StreamYard pricing is per workspace, not per user, which tends to be more economical once you have a team rather than a single creator. StreamYard offers a free plan, plus paid options that include a first‑year discount for new users and a 7‑day free trial, while Loom’s business plans are priced per user per month. (Loom Pricing)

In practice, that means:

• Loom can be attractive for a small number of individual creators who live inside Atlassian tools and want deep integrations.
• As your team grows, a per‑workspace model like StreamYard’s often keeps costs more predictable while still giving everyone access to the same studio.

When should I choose a browser studio (StreamYard) versus a desktop encoder (OBS)?

Here is a simple rule of thumb you can use:

Choose StreamYard when:

• You want to get recording quickly without tuning encoders.
• You regularly host guests, panels, or customer calls and want branded layouts.
• You care about reliable local multi-track files, not just a single mixed recording.
• Your team uses everyday laptops or managed work devices where installing a heavy encoder could be an issue.

Layer in OBS when:

• You specifically need VST 2.x audio plugins, experimental filters, or community plugins that OBS makes available. (OBS Project)
• You are comfortable managing system performance, plugin compatibility, and file storage.
• You are producing content where those extra filters actually change the outcome (e.g., advanced gameplay broadcasts, live compositing experiments).

For many US creators and teams, StreamYard is the primary studio for day‑to‑day work, and OBS is a specialized tool that gets pulled in for edge cases.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default for presenter-led screen recordings, collaborative demos, and reusable, multi-track video content.
• Add OBS on top only when you have a clear plugin-driven need like VST processing or a specific third‑party filter.
• Reach for Loom when your primary goal is quick async explainers that live as links inside tools like Slack, Jira, or Confluence.
• Keep your stack as simple as possible: start with StreamYard alone, then introduce plugin-heavy tools only when they demonstrably improve your recordings.