OBS takes work.
Meld just works.
Free streaming software to record, clip, and multistream with pro tools built in. The OBS alternative that's actually built for creators.
"Meld was made with the 99% of streamers in mind. They don't need all the complicated stuff, they just want to be able to make a fun, simple, and beautiful stream in a couple minutes."
Harris Heller
YouTube Creator • @SenpaiGaming
The team behind Meld
As a team of streamers who used OBS for years, we believe you deserve streaming tools built FOR your creativity.
That's what drives us to continue pushing the boundaries. We believe your broadcasting studio can become more powerful and use less resources.
We succeed when Meld empowers your creativity and transforms your content.
OBS vs Meld Studio
Why creators are
switching to
Meld
OBS is powerful but power without clarity is frustration. Free streaming software shouldn't require ten plugins to do what Meld does out of the box.
Built into Meld
Move transitions, blur effects, color grading, vertical canvas, widgets, alerts and more are all native. No plugins to find, no compatibility issues, no breakage after updates.
Free multistreaming software built in
Meld streams to Twitch, YouTube, Kick, TikTok, and custom RTMP destinations simultaneously. No plugins, no third-party services, no extra cost. Meld Multi handles cloud distribution so your PC resources stay low while you go live everywhere.
Unified multi-chat for multi streaming
Meld combines chat from Twitch, YouTube, and Kick into one integrated feed. Read and respond to your entire audience in one place without switching windows or adding extra tools.
Streaming software that works from install
Meld auto-detects your hardware and selects the best encoder for streaming or recording automatically. The interface is clean and intuitive. Already using OBS? Import your scenes in one click and start streaming in minutes.
Beyond Going Live
Built for your entire
creative workflow
Streaming is one part of being a creator. Meld is designed with the whole workflow in mind, from recording to clipping to repurposing content for social media.
Clipping
Clip and record for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels
Capture your best moments while you stream. Clip the last 30-120 seconds in vertical with one click and save directly for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels. No editing software needed.
Audio
Multi-track audio recording
Record up to 8 separate audio tracks. Keep mic, game audio, music, and alerts separate for easier editing. Includes a dedicated VOD track.
Vertical
Native vertical streaming
Stream and record in vertical format natively. No cropping, no workarounds. Create portrait content directly from your stream.
Management
Manage your stream info across all platforms
Update your stream title, category, and tags on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick from one place. No switching tabs or logging into multiple dashboards. Manage everything without leaving Meld.
Effects
Built-in stream effects and filters
Apply color grading, chroma key, blur, drop shadows, and rounded corners to your webcam, game capture, or display source in real time. Professional streaming effects built in. No plugins needed.
Mixing
Professional audio mixing
Mix your stream audio with ultra-low latency. Supports VST3 plugins, per-scene audio settings, and up to 32 input channels.
Resource Usage
Resource Usage
Meld is light
on resources
Meld was built from scratch with a modern rendering engine designed for today's hardware. No legacy code, no decade-old architecture. Stack cameras, browser sources, and effects with confidence.
Feature comparison
between Meld and OBS
| Feature | Meld | OBS |
|---|---|---|
| Multistreaming to Twitch, YouTube, Kick | ✓ | ✗ |
| Move transition for animated sources | ✓ | Plugin |
| Vertical video for TikTok and Shorts | ✓ | Plugin |
| Unified multi chat for all platforms | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stream widgets & alerts | ✓ | Third-party |
| Stream manager | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant replay & clipping | ✓ | Plugin |
| Multi-track audio with VOD track | ✓ | Manual setup |
| Effects like blur, shadows, color grading | ✓ | Plugin |
| Dedicated support team | ✓ | Forums |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | 1-2x/year |
| Price | Free | Free |
Creators who switched
from OBS to Meld
They imported their OBS setup and they never went back.
With OBS, I had a scene for every single game and so many plugins. Meld? One scene captures every game without manually changing it. Plugins? Not a one. It worked straight from install with very little tweaking.
@Riley_McKenna1
I switched from OBS to Meld, and I haven't looked back. I enjoy it so much.
@CodyDaltonSID
Switched from OBS Studio to Meld a few weeks ago, and my oh my! How easy it is to set everything up. No more having to download plugins for simple transitions. I strongly recommend the switch!
@WeeScottishMark
Switched from OBS to Meld and have been loving it! Meld Studio is easy to use, comes with so many great features, and has less GPU and CPU usage. 100% recommend if you've been looking for an OBS alternative!
@Fizzee_Dee
I switched to Meld as soon as I gained access to the closed beta for Windows. Now I can finally breathe and start to get creative again.
@goosetowne
Officially done with OBS. I'm tired of "encoder" issues and having to close out applications or mess with 50 settings before I can go live.
@paopuraa
With OBS, I had a scene for every single game and so many plugins. Meld? One scene captures every game without manually changing it. Plugins? Not a one. It worked straight from install with very little tweaking.
@Riley_McKenna1
I switched from OBS to Meld, and I haven't looked back. I enjoy it so much.
@CodyDaltonSID
Switched from OBS Studio to Meld a few weeks ago, and my oh my! How easy it is to set everything up. No more having to download plugins for simple transitions. I strongly recommend the switch!
@WeeScottishMark
Switched from OBS to Meld and have been loving it! Meld Studio is easy to use, comes with so many great features, and has less GPU and CPU usage. 100% recommend if you've been looking for an OBS alternative!
@Fizzee_Dee
I switched to Meld as soon as I gained access to the closed beta for Windows. Now I can finally breathe and start to get creative again.
@goosetowne
Officially done with OBS. I'm tired of "encoder" issues and having to close out applications or mess with 50 settings before I can go live.
@paopuraa
I am in love with Meld Studio! It has made my live streaming so much easier than it was with OBS.
@OldNerdReviews
I switched to Meld Studio after OBS let me down one too many times.
@FoxCyberNexus
Meld Studio has a clipping feature that captures the last 30, 60, or 90 seconds built in. Much better than anything else out there. I'd recommend it.
@Pedakin
Couldn't agree more! I am so glad I embraced the change. It's been smooth sailing since using Meld.
@CptSlothbeard
I am in love with Meld Studio! It has made my live streaming so much easier than it was with OBS.
@OldNerdReviews
I switched to Meld Studio after OBS let me down one too many times.
@FoxCyberNexus
Meld Studio has a clipping feature that captures the last 30, 60, or 90 seconds built in. Much better than anything else out there. I'd recommend it.
@Pedakin
Couldn't agree more! I am so glad I embraced the change. It's been smooth sailing since using Meld.
@CptSlothbeard
I recently switched to Meld Studio from OBS and it's been the best decision! I highly recommend it. Plus the community and support is amazing.
@nadia_html
Switching from OBS to Meld Studio has been a game-changer. The layout for scenes is cleaner, and on Apple Silicon, the native VideoToolbox encoder helps streams run smoothly at higher quality. It's consistently reliable.
@MMVSSOT
I've recently switched to Meld and honestly it's been great.
@Jordsyx
New stream intro since I switched from OBS. Meld Studio is much better.
@SpawnPointComix
I recently switched to Meld Studio from OBS and it's been the best decision! I highly recommend it. Plus the community and support is amazing.
@nadia_html
Switching from OBS to Meld Studio has been a game-changer. The layout for scenes is cleaner, and on Apple Silicon, the native VideoToolbox encoder helps streams run smoothly at higher quality. It's consistently reliable.
@MMVSSOT
I've recently switched to Meld and honestly it's been great.
@Jordsyx
New stream intro since I switched from OBS. Meld Studio is much better.
@SpawnPointComix
Import your OBS scenes
to Meld in one click
Switching from OBS is easy. Meld automatically detects your existing scenes, overlays, sources, and layouts and imports them instantly. No manual setup required.
Windows
Optimized for Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12. Exceptional performance on modern GPUs.
Windows 10 or later required
macOS
Native performance on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Optimized for efficiency.
macOS 12 or later required
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meld Studio?
Meld Studio is free streaming and recording software with professional tools built in. It includes effects like Move Transition, blur, and color grading, native Stream Deck integration, and multistreaming, all without plugins. Over 56,000 creators have imported their existing setups to Meld.
Can I import my OBS scenes to Meld?
Yes. Meld's OBS Importer transfers your scenes, sources, and settings in one click. 56,000+ creators have already used it. Go to File → Import OBS Session and Meld handles the migration automatically. Your overlays, browser sources, and layouts come with you.
Is Meld Studio free?
Yes. Meld Studio is 100% free with no watermarks, no time limits, and no feature restrictions. There's an optional premium tier for power users, but the free version includes everything most streamers need: built-in effects, multistreaming, Stream Deck integration, and more.
Does Meld work with Stream Deck?
Yes. Meld has native Elgato Stream Deck integration, with no plugins or configuration required. It also works with Streamer.bot, Mix It Up, and Lumia Stream out of the box. Connect and start controlling scenes, effects, and transitions immediately.
How often does Meld update?
Meld Studio releases updates every 2 weeks with new features, bug fixes, and improvements based on creator feedback. Every update is tested by real streamers before release to ensure stability.
What effects are built into Meld?
Meld includes Move Transition for animated source movement, Gaussian blur, color correction and grading, drop shadows, rounded corners, and more, all built in. No plugins to install, no compatibility issues to troubleshoot.
Can I use Meld for recording, not just streaming?
Yes. Meld Studio supports local recording with full quality control. You can record while streaming, or use Meld purely for recording YouTube videos, podcasts, tutorials, or other content. Multi-track audio recording is built-in for editing flexibility.
What streaming platforms does Meld support?
Meld streams to Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook Gaming, and any platform that accepts RTMP. Built-in multistreaming lets you go live on multiple platforms simultaneously, with no third-party service required.
What operating systems does Meld support?
Meld Studio is available for Windows and macOS.
Will my existing overlays work in Meld?
Yes. Meld supports browser sources, images, videos, and NDI. When you import your OBS session, your overlays transfer automatically. StreamElements and Streamlabs overlays work in Meld without modification.
I'm new to streaming. Should I start with Meld or OBS?
If you want to get streaming quickly with professional features out of the box, Meld is a great choice. Effects, integrations, and multistreaming are built in, with no plugins to research or install. You can always switch later, and if you ever try OBS, Meld can import that setup too.
Coming from Streamlabs instead?
See why creators are leaving Streamlabs