Kazam as a Linux alternative to OBS Studio Game Capture
Updated
Our verdict
Kazam is not a good replacement for OBS Studio Game Capture if you're doing game streaming, long recordings, or need advanced audio/video controls. It works for basic screen recording with mic and system audio, but lacks scene composition, low-latency capture, and reliable performance under heavy load. Kazam is better suited for users who need quick, simple recordings—like tutorials or short demos—without setup. For game capture specifically, its limited frame rate options and no hardware acceleration make it unreliable. Use Kazam only if your needs are minimal and you prioritize simplicity over quality or control.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.5.7
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both record screen activity with system audio and microphone support
- Support recording a selected screen region or full screen
- Provide basic timer countdown before recording starts
- Offer screenshot capture alongside screen recording
- Run natively on Linux, particularly Debian and Ubuntu
What is different
- Kazam has no support for scenes, sources, or layered compositing like OBS Studio
- No game capture via GPU or low-latency methods; Kazam uses simple frame grabs
- Limited output formats and encoding options; depends on GStreamer backend
- Kazam is discontinued, so no updates or bug fixes
- No live streaming capability in Kazam
Opening your OBS Studio Game Capture files
Kazam records in WebM or MP4 depending on the system's GStreamer configuration, which may be playable in OBS Studio if the codecs are supported. However, OBS Studio project files (.obsproj) and scene configurations cannot be imported into Kazam, as it has no project system. There's no way to open or edit OBS recordings directly in Kazam beyond basic playback. File compatibility is limited to video playback, not editing or reusing settings.
Switching from OBS Studio Game Capture to Kazam, step by step
- Install Kazam via 'sudo apt install kazam' on Debian/Ubuntu
- Launch Kazam and set audio input sources in Preferences
- Choose recording mode: full screen, window, or selected area
- Use the timer to prepare before recording starts
- Save recordings and manually manage output location
Key features of Kazam
- Screen recording with audio and microphone support
- Timer countdown before recording starts
- Screenshot capture for full screen, window, or selection
- Simple UI with minimal configuration needed
- Records in WebM or MP4 (depending on backend)
- Supports recording a selected region of the screen
- Basic system tray integration during recording
- Lightweight and easy to install on Debian-based systems
How to install Kazam on Linux
sudo apt install kazamsudo apt install kazamFrequently asked questions
Can Kazam capture gameplay smoothly at 60 FPS?
No, Kazam typically records at 10–15 FPS and doesn't support high frame rates or GPU-accelerated capture, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay recording.
Is Kazam still being developed?
No, Kazam is discontinued and no longer actively maintained, so bugs and compatibility issues may not be fixed.
Can I stream live to YouTube or Twitch with Kazam?
No, Kazam only supports local recording and screenshots. It does not have live streaming functionality.
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