When comparing OBS vs Camtasia, the Slant community recommends OBS for most people. In the question“What are the best screen capture tools for Windows?” OBS is ranked 8th while Camtasia is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose OBS is:
You can record videos in formats such as mp4, flv, mkv, and more. You also have control over the bitrate used.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Records to many popular formats
You can record videos in formats such as mp4, flv, mkv, and more. You also have control over the bitrate used.
Pro Free and open source
No subscriptions or payments or licenses.
Pro Available for Linux, Mac, Windows
Pro Live streams
Can be used to stream.
Pro Fast
From the website: "GPU-based game capture for high performance game streaming."
Pro Extendable
OBS has an API allowing developers to create their own unique plugins, giving them and others complete control of their streaming experience.
Pro Encoding using H264 (x264) and AAC and file output to MP4 or FLV
Pro Unlimited number of scenes and sources
Pro Built-in Video Editor to Edit video after recording
- Multiple media layers
- Cut, join, insert freeze frame, change volume
- Annotate with shapes and images
Pro Can record audio
Record audio from the room (via microphone) or from your device. Add sound later if you want. Or not at all.
Pro Tutorial instruction is plentiful
There are hundreds of tutorial lessons among the TechSmith, YouTube, and Udemy sites. The presentations are clear and small enough to assimilate quickly and easily.
Pro Quick start with incremental ramp-up
Although the initial workspace screen may look daunting, with just a little instruction it's quite easy to navigate. More advanced features can be brought in as needed.
Pro Easy to learn and use
Show somebody something real quick or create a commercial grade production with a little practice.
Cons
Con Recording a window will not record the menu bar, popup menus or child dialogs
Con Overkill for simple projects
Plus the interface is a bit intimidating.
Con Needs tutorial to get started
Otherwise it's hard to find out how to record a screen or window.
Con $200 price tag
If you're not recording your screen on a regular basis, one of the free options might be a better choice.