When comparing Streamlabs OBS vs ScreenFlow, the Slant community recommends Streamlabs OBS for most people. In the question“What are the best tools for recording gameplay videos?” Streamlabs OBS is ranked 5th while ScreenFlow is ranked 7th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Can export to animated GIFs
Pro Non-expiring trial available
The free trial never expires, however it will place a sizable "Demo Mode' watermark over the middle of the screen which makes the content unusable for anything other than trying it out.
Pro Suitable for novices and experts alike
Start creating vanilla screencasts. Continue exploring a plethora of presentation and editing features. You won't ever grow out of this "shirt".
Pro Records your iOS device too
You can plug your iOS device into your Mac, and record the screen through your Mac. You can find details on how to do this here.
Cons
Con Resource issues
Due to the way that Streamlabs is coded, resources aren't freed up on the fly. And because of its OBS base, you have the resources usually taken by OBS, but then more resources clogged up by Streamlabs.
For example, if OBS is using about 30% of your CPU/RAM, it's quite likely Streamlabs is using another 30-40%.
Con Walled garden
Streamlabs is an entirely separate system to OBS, but using all the core (open source) OBS files. This means that Streamlabs doesn't overlay OBS - it replaces it, meaning plug-ins, functionality, theme access and many advanced features aren't as easy to find or integrate as OBS alone.
Con Creates large (e.g. mp4) files
Work-around: Export using lossless codec, then use Handbrake to create your production mp4.
Con Free version produces virtually unusable content
The free trial adds a large watermark to the middle of the screen which makes the video virtually unusable. Most trials expire after a week or two, however the content you create with them can still be used.