Brandwave

OBS Studio vs Restream:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, OBS Studio had more branded searches than Restream among broadcast software worldwide. OBS Studio had about 4.7 million branded searches, while Restream had 246,000. OBS Studio made up 79.2% of all broadcast software searches we track, and Restream accounted for 4.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about broadcast software, OBS Studio appeared in all five answers and Restream in two. OBS Studio was mentioned before Restream in every answer.

Among broadcast software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

OBS Studio, about 19 searches for every 1 for Restream

OBS Studio 4.7M searchesRestream 246K searches

Who does AI mention more?

OBS Studio, mentioned in every answer we collected

OBS Studio in 5 of 5Restream in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

OBS Studio, named ahead of Restream in every answer

OBS Studio first in 5Restream never first

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Top broadcast software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OBS Studio appeared in all five answers. Restream was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. OBS Studio was listed before Restream in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. OBS Studio1st
  2. vMix2nd
  3. Wirecast3rd
  4. StreamYard4th
  5. Streamlabs5th
  6. Meld Studio6th
  7. Ecamm Live7th
  8. Riverside8th
  9. Restream9th
  10. Grass Valley–
  11. +4 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • OBS Studio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • StreamYard5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • vMix4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Wirecast4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Streamlabs3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ecamm Live3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Restream2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Meld Studio2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Riverside2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Grass Valley0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about broadcast software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is OBS Studio or Restream more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for OBS Studio and Restream by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 broadcast software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

OBS Studio and Restream among broadcast software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for OBS Studio, Restream. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthOBS StudioStreamlabsStreamYardRestreamvMixGrass ValleyChyronMeld StudioVizrtWirecastRoss VideoEcamm LiveRiversideAvid
Oct 202578%9.2%6.1%3.4%1.5%0.68%0.3%0.25%0.17%0.17%0.11%0.11%0.04%<0.01%
Nov 202581%7%5.8%3.1%1.4%0.63%0.28%0.23%0.13%0.15%0.1%0.1%0.03%<0.01%
Dec 202581.3%7.1%5.8%3.2%1.2%0.64%0.28%0.23%0.1%0.13%0.08%0.08%0.04%<0.01%
Jan 202683.4%7%4.7%2.6%0.95%0.42%0.28%0.19%0.1%0.1%0.13%0.08%0.04%<0.01%
Feb 202679.3%7.6%6.2%3.4%1.3%0.69%0.69%0.25%0.14%0.14%0.11%0.11%0.04%<0.01%
Mar 202678.9%7.6%6.2%4.1%1.2%0.68%0.37%0.25%0.14%0.14%0.14%0.11%0.04%<0.01%
Apr 202679.6%6.9%6.9%3.8%1.1%0.62%0.28%0.28%0.12%0.1%0.12%0.08%0.03%<0.01%
May 202679.5%7.6%6.3%3.4%1.3%0.84%0.25%0.31%0.14%0.11%0.14%0.09%0.03%<0.01%
Jun 202682.9%6.4%5.3%2.9%1.1%0.71%0.21%0.17%0.12%0.08%0.09%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
Jul 202677.7%8.2%6.7%4.5%1.1%0.9%0.27%0.22%0.12%0.1%0.1%0.07%0.04%<0.01%
Aug 202677.6%8.2%6.7%4.5%1.1%0.9%0.33%0.33%0.12%0.1%0.1%0.07%0.04%<0.01%
Sep 202679.2%7.5%6.2%4.1%1.2%0.68%0.37%0.3%0.11%0.11%0.09%0.06%0.04%<0.01%

How has the OBS Studio and Restream comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • OBS Studio was ahead of Restream in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OBS Studio’s share of searches among broadcast software worldwide moved from 78% to 79.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.7M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Restream’s share of searches among broadcast software worldwide moved from 3.4% to 4.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 246K.

How did search popularity change for broadcast software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, OBS Studio gained share of searches among broadcast software worldwide, from 77.6% to 79.2%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Restream worldwide rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 201K to 246K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OBS Studio’s and Restream’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

OBS Studio

3 branded search terms

  • obs
  • obs studio
  • obsstudio

Restream

1 branded search term

  • restream

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among broadcast software

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