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OBS Studio VS AWS Snowball

Compare OBS Studio VS AWS Snowball and see what are their differences

OBS Studio logo OBS Studio

Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming for Mac, Windows and Linux.

AWS Snowball logo AWS Snowball

AWS Snowball is a petabyte-scale data transport service that uses secure devices to transfer large amounts of data into and out of the AWS cloud.
  • OBS Studio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-12
  • AWS Snowball Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-12

OBS Studio features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    OBS Studio is completely free to download and use, and its source code is openly available, allowing users to modify and contribute to the software.
  • Cross-Platform
    OBS Studio is available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • High Customizability
    The software allows for extensive customization through scenes, sources, and various settings, enabling users to tailor their streaming or recording setup precisely to their needs.
  • Plugin Support
    OBS Studio supports a variety of plugins, allowing users to add extra functionality such as additional sources, filters, and integrations with other platforms.
  • Active Community
    The OBS community is very active, offering a wealth of tutorials, forums, and support channels where users can find assistance and share knowledge.

Possible disadvantages of OBS Studio

  • Steep Learning Curve
    While powerful, OBS Studio can be intimidating for beginners due to its myriad of options and settings, requiring a significant amount of time to learn.
  • Resource Intensive
    OBS Studio can be quite demanding on system resources, particularly CPU and GPU, which might not be ideal for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users sometimes report crashes or bugs, especially when using certain third-party plugins or on less common hardware configurations.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    While highly customizable, OBS Studio itself is relatively barebones without plugins, which means users often need to seek out and install additional software for specific functionalities (e.g., advanced effects, in-depth analytics).
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Configuring advanced features, such as setting up a green screen or integrating with third-party tools, can be complex and time-consuming.

AWS Snowball features and specs

  • High Data Transfer Speed
    AWS Snowball allows for rapid data transfer, capable of moving petabytes of data securely and quickly, often faster than transferring over the internet.
  • Security
    Snowball devices use tamper-evident enclosures, 256-bit encrypted data transfer, and secure data erasure once the data has been uploaded to AWS, ensuring data security during transit.
  • Cost-Effective
    Compared to high-bandwidth internet connections, especially in regions with poor connectivity, AWS Snowball can be a more cost-effective solution for large-scale data transfer.
  • Scalability
    Users can request multiple Snowball devices simultaneously to move larger volumes of data efficiently. This makes it scalable to meet the needs of significant data transfer projects.
  • Ease of Use
    AWS provides a simple, user-friendly interface for ordering, tracking, and managing Snowball devices, making the service accessible even to users without deep technical expertise.
  • Offline Data Transfer
    Snowball operates offline, meaning that data can be transferred without relying on internet connectivity, which is particularly beneficial in areas with limited or unreliable connectivity.

Possible disadvantages of AWS Snowball

  • Limited Data Sizes Per Device
    Each Snowball device has a maximum capacity (currently up to 80TB per device), so extremely large datasets may require multiple devices and therefore multiple shipments.
  • Shipping Time
    The physical shipment of Snowball devices can take several days depending on the location, which may not be suitable for projects requiring immediate data transfer.
  • Initial Cost and Complexity
    There may be an initial investment and learning curve involved in setting up and understanding how to use AWS Snowball, which might be a barrier for smaller organizations or those with limited technical expertise.
  • Geographical Limitations
    AWS Snowball may not be available in all regions or countries, limiting its usefulness for organizations based in or needing to ship data to/from unsupported locations.
  • Handling and Physical Security
    Despite its tamper-evident features, physical shipment adds a layer of risk related to potential loss or damage in transit, as well as the need for secure handling and storage until the data transfer is complete.
  • Data Transfer Time
    Once the device arrives, transferring data to and from the Snowball can be time-consuming depending on the volume of data and the local network setup.

OBS Studio videos

Open Broadcaster Software Review

AWS Snowball videos

AWS Snowball Edge Overview

More videos:

  • Review - DigitalGlobe Moves Petabytes of Data Quickly and Securely Using AWS Snowmobile
  • Review - AWS Snowball | Snowball Edge | Snowmobile - Amazon AWS Large Scale Datasets Migration

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OBS Studio and AWS Snowball)
Screen Recording
100 100%
0% 0
Business & Commerce
0 0%
100% 100
Video Recording
100 100%
0% 0
B2B SaaS
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OBS Studio and AWS Snowball

OBS Studio Reviews

Top Live Video Streaming Software, Tools, and Platforms for Professional Streaming
OBS Studio is an open-source software that’s popular among both beginner and professional streamers. It’s completely free to use and offers extensive customization options, including support for multiple video sources, transitions, and custom graphics. OBS Studio is great for live streaming to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.
Source: medium.com
ScreenRec vs OBS: A Comprehensive Comparison of Screen Recording and Streaming Software
ScreenRec and OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) are two popular screen recording and streaming software used by content creators, professionals, gamers, educators, and businesses worldwide. Both tools offer unique features and functionalities to capture and share screen content effectively.ScreenRec is a user-friendly screen recording software known for its simplicity and...
Source: screenapp.io
Selecting the Best Screen Recorder for Windows 11: A Thorough Exploration
Selecting the right screen recorder for Windows 11 hinges on your specific needs and the level of complexity you’re comfortable with. ScreenRec offers a balanced mix of ease of use and functionality, making it an excellent choice for most users. However, those with more specialized needs might find OBS Studio, Camtasia, Bandicam, or ShareX to be better suited to their...
Source: medium.com
Screen Recording Unveiled: ScreenRec and Other Notable Choices for Capturing Zoom and Google Meet Sessions
The modern age has brought forth the necessity for tools that can accurately capture on-screen activities, specifically virtual meetings and educational sessions. ScreenRec excels for its ease of use, while OBS Studio and Camtasia offer more advanced functionalities. Knowing how to record Zoom and Google Meet sessions is crucial, and with tools like ScreenRec at your...
Source: medium.com
10 Proven Screen Recorders for Mac [Updated in 2023]
OBS is a free and open source screen recording software for Mac, which allows users to record video and live streaming media. In fact, this is also one of the Mac screen video recorders that can't be missed. It supports real-time source and device capture, scene synthesis, encoding, recording and broadcasting.

AWS Snowball Reviews

We have no reviews of AWS Snowball yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OBS Studio seems to be a lot more popular than AWS Snowball. While we know about 1069 links to OBS Studio, we've tracked only 21 mentions of AWS Snowball. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OBS Studio mentions (1069)

  • A single line of code cost $8000
    FWIW, OBS is ~150 MB, not an electron app and actually open source. https://obsproject.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 2 days ago
  • A M.2 HDMI capture card
    Https://magicmusicvisuals.com/ combined with https://obsproject.com/. And possibly OBS all by itself. - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • How to Set Up a Free RTMP Server with Open Source Red5
    ./red5.sh # for Linux or Mac Red5.bat # for Windows You should see console output indicating the server has started successfully, typically on `localhost:5080`. 2. To test if your RTMP server is live, open your web browser and go to `http://localhost:5080/`. You should see the Red5 landing page. ### Step 4: Configure RTMP Applications Red5 supports RTMP out of the box. You can now create and configure RTMP... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Phased Array Microphone
    You might look into OBS and/or VoiceMeeter to see how streamers selectively route audio while livestreaming/recording video/audio streams. https://obsproject.com/ https://voicemeeter.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • How to Set Up a Free RTMP Server with Open Source Red5
    Download and Install OBS: If you haven’t already, download and install OBS from obsproject.com. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
View more

AWS Snowball mentions (21)

  • WD Ultrastar Transporter: Briefcase with 368TB of NVMe SSD, 128GB RAM, 1300W PSU
    This is still a common thing. Amazon has AWS Snowball [1] (up to 210 TB), Backblaze has Fireball [2] (96 TB), and I'm sure there are others. [1]: https://aws.amazon.com/snowball/ [2]: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage/features/fireball-data-migration. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • AWS To Provide Free Data Transfer Out To Internet
    If you have extremely large amounts of data to transfer, such as hundreds of petabytes or into exabytes, AWS Snowmobile can move up to 100PB at once via a ruggedized shipping container. The ruggedized shipping container is tamper-resistant, water-resistant, temperature controlled, and GPS-tracked. The service was announced in 2016, and one of the trucks shown during a presentation that year at AWS re-Invent:. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • AWS To Provide Free Data Transfer Out To Internet
    AWS Snowball has a number of devices optimized for edge computing and data transfer. The service allows you to order a ruggedized device that can hold multiple terrabytes to petabytes of data, to transfer to AWS. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • AWS To Provide Free Data Transfer Out To Internet
    If you have extremely large amounts of data to transfer, such as hundreds of petabytes or into exabytes, AWS Snowmobile can move up to 100PB at once via a ruggedized shipping container. The ruggedized shipping container is tamper-resistant, water-resistant, temperature controlled, and GPS-tracked. The service was announced in 2016, and one of the trucks shown during a presentation that year at AWS re-Invent:. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Can they email between Pegasus and Earth?
    I'm sure once they got the BC-304s making regular round trips they dropped of a couple of AWS snowmobile trailers. For boosting their computing power and make copies of the Atlantis database to send back to Earth for more in depth analysis. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OBS Studio and AWS Snowball, you can also consider the following products

Camtasia - Camtasia 2018 makes it easy to record your screen and create polished, professional-looking videos.

Net Solutions - Where innovation meets expertise. Award-winning digital solutions built for growth.

ShareX - ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen...

OpenLayers - A high-performance, feature-packed library for all your mapping needs.

Snagit - Screen Capture Software for Windows and Mac

Revenue River - We help organizations compete and win online with digital marketing and sales innovation strategy and execution.