Agora Interactive Live Streaming vs OBS Studio
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
agora.io
OBS Studio
obsproject.comSide by side
| Figure | Agora Interactive Live Streaming | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 19 | 1 |
| Spec score · Live TV streaming services | 8.9 (#12) | 8.9 (#8) |
| Spec score · Live Streaming Software | 8.8 (#14) | 8.9 (#6) |
| Spec score · Live streaming software | 8.8 (#14) | 8.9 (#6) |
| Founded | 2013 | 2012 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Agora’s compliance page describes token-based identity and access controls, AES128/256 or customer-provided encryption, and regional network geo-fencing. | OBS says its code is open for inspection and contributor-reviewed, and that downloads from its website are free of malware. |
| Support | Agora describes round-the-clock support for customers in over 100 countries; paid support plans have monthly prices but annual agreements charged annually. | Support options include a knowledge base, volunteer Discord support, community forums, and developer documentation. |
Plans
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
- FreeFree
- Audio only$0.99 a month
- Video HD$3.99 a month
- Video Full HD$8.99 a month
- Video 2K$15.99 a month
- Video 2K+$35.99 a month
- Starter prepaid bundle$45.99 a month
- Pro prepaid bundle$133.99 a month
- Business prepaid bundle$339.99 a month
- FreeFree
In their own words
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
Agora Interactive Live Streaming is a video API for embedding real-time calls and low-latency live streams in web, mobile, and native apps. Hosts can invite audience members on camera, while participants use chat, reactions, and virtual gifts. Collaboration tools include screen sharing, interactive whiteboards, multi-user layouts, and real-time messaging. Agora describes video up to 4K/60fps and audio up to 192 kbps; its network covers more than 200 countries, and streams can be shared across up to four channels. Recording options include cloud, on-premise, and webpage recording for audio, video, and web pages. Developers can use a customizable SDK, a no-code App Builder, or low-code UI Kit libraries. SDKs are listed for Android, iOS, React Native, Flutter, web, ReactJS, Electron, Windows, macOS, Unity, and Unreal Engine. The free plan includes 10,000 participant minutes. Usage-based plans include Audio only at $0.99 a month and Video HD at $3.99 a month. Named use cases include social live streaming, events, education, retail, and telehealth.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It captures and mixes video and audio from windows, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and capture cards. Users can arrange unlimited scenes, switch with customizable transitions, and preview scenes and sources in Studio Mode before going live. Multiview can monitor eight scenes. The audio mixer has per-source filters, with VST plugin support, and hotkeys cover many recording and streaming actions. An API, native plugins, and Lua or Python scripts provide ways to extend the software. OBS supports streaming platforms including Twitch and YouTube, and streams connect directly from a user’s computer to the service. It is distributed under GPLv2 and may be used commercially subject to the license terms. The download page lists Windows 10 and 11 support, macOS 13.0 or newer, and Linux distribution through Flathub or an Ubuntu 24.04-or-newer PPA. The listed plan costs nothing, with no watermarks or usage limitations.