ReviewsStreamlabs Desktop

Streamlabs Desktop review

Streamlabs Desktop is a free live streaming app for Windows and Mac that also records your screen, games and webcam. It suits streamers who want overlays and alerts in the same app.

By . Updated .

Works on
Windows, Mac
Free recording
No time limit
Price
From $27/mo
Made by
Logitech (Streamlabs)
Last checked
October 2026

Free plan

Length per recording
No limit
Number of videos
No limit
Watermark
No

Pricing

PlanMonthlyYearly
FreeRecording with no watermark or time limit; 1 GB cloud storageFreeFree
UltraMultistreaming, full overlay library, Pro creator tools, 10 GB storage$27$189
Ultra+Adds success calls and a dedicated contact; price not listedn/an/a

Ultra, for multistreaming, premium overlays and Pro creator tools. Recording itself is free with no watermark or time limit. Prices from streamlabs.com/ultra, 6 Oct 2026.

What we like

  • Recording is free, with no watermark or time limit
  • No account needed if you only record
  • Selective Recording keeps stream-only overlays out of the recording

What to watch

  • Mac computer audio needs the BlackHole driver
  • No editor inside Streamlabs Desktop
  • Recordings are saved as local files only, with no share link

Best for: You stream games or live shows and want to record them in the same app, with overlays and alerts.

Our verdict

Streamlabs Desktop is a streaming app first, and recording comes free with it. Local recordings have no watermark and no time limit, and you don’t need an account to record. Selective Recording is useful if you stream: alerts and chat can show on stream but stay out of the saved video.

For plain screen recording it has gaps. There is no editor in the app, recordings stay on your computer, and Mac users need the third-party BlackHole driver to capture computer audio. Ultra ($189 a year) is about streaming and creator tools, not about recording.

If you only record, OBS Studio covers the same ground and also runs on Linux. If you want a share link when you stop, try ScreenRec or Loom. For game recording with a trimmer built in, look at Bandicam.

Visit the Streamlabs Desktop website

Frequently asked questions

Is Streamlabs Desktop free?
Yes. Streamlabs Desktop is free and adds no watermark or time limit to local recordings. Ultra costs $27 a month or $189 a year and adds streaming and creator tools.
Do I need an account to record with Streamlabs?
No. A Streamlabs account is not required if you use Streamlabs Desktop for recording only.
Does Streamlabs Desktop record computer audio on a Mac?
Only with extra setup. Streamlabs tells Mac users to install the free BlackHole driver and route audio through it.

Compare Streamlabs Desktop

Sources

  1. https://streamlabs.com/ultra
  2. https://streamlabs.com/streamlabs-live-streaming-software
  3. https://streamlabs.com/content-hub/post/how-to-record-your-pc-screen-for-free
  4. https://streamlabs.com/content-hub/post/streamlabs-desktop-recording-functionality
  5. https://streamlabs.com/content-hub/post/capturing-desktop-audio-in-streamlabs-desktop-for-mac
  6. https://www.capterra.com/p/228751/Streamlabs/reviews/