OBS Studio vs StreamElements:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OBS Studio had more branded searches than StreamElements among stream overlay tools worldwide. OBS Studio had about 4.7 million branded searches, while StreamElements had 368,000. OBS Studio made up 85.1% of all stream overlay tool searches we track, and StreamElements accounted for 6.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stream overlay tools, OBS Studio appeared in all five answers and StreamElements in four. StreamElements was mentioned before OBS Studio in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
OBS Studio, about 13 searches for every 1 for StreamElements
Who does AI mention more?
OBS Studio, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
StreamElements, named ahead of OBS Studio in 4 of 5 answers
Follow OBS Studio vs StreamElements and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top stream overlay tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OBS Studio appeared in all five answers. StreamElements was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. StreamElements was listed before OBS Studio in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- StreamElements1st
OWN3D2nd
Streamlabs3rd
Nerd or Die4th- OBS Studio5th
Muxy–
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
- Streamlabs5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- StreamElements4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OWN3D4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Nerd or Die4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Muxy0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about stream overlay tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stream overlay tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stream overlay tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stream overlay tool for livestream branding?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“overlay maker”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“twitch overlay tool”
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 21, 2026.
Is OBS Studio or StreamElements more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for OBS Studio and StreamElements by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six stream overlay tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for OBS Studio, StreamElements. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | OBS Studio | Streamlabs | StreamElements | OWN3D | Nerd or Die | Muxy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 83.3% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 0.22% | 0.14% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 86.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 0.13% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 86.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 86.5% | 7.3% | 6% | 0.2% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 84.8% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 0.22% | 0.12% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 84.8% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 0.22% | 0.12% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 86.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 0.16% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 83.6% | 8% | 8% | 0.18% | 0.1% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 87.4% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 0.15% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 83.6% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 0.19% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 83.6% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 0.19% | 0.11% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 85.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 0.15% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
How has the OBS Studio and StreamElements comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OBS Studio was ahead of StreamElements 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 stream overlay tools worldwide moved from 83.3% to 85.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.7M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, StreamElements’ share of searches among stream overlay tools worldwide moved from 6.5% to 6.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 368K.
How did search popularity change for stream overlay tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, OBS Studio gained share of searches among stream overlay tools worldwide, from 83.6% to 85.1%.
In September 2026, StreamElements lost share of searches among stream overlay tools worldwide, from 7.2% to 6.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OBS Studio’s and StreamElements’ 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
StreamElements
1 branded search term
- streamelements
Other head-to-heads among stream overlay tools
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.