Kazam as a Linux alternative to OBS Studio (with Windows Game Bar integration)
Updated
Our verdict
Kazam is not a good replacement for OBS Studio with Windows Game Bar integration for users who need live streaming, scene switching, or advanced audio/video control. It’s suitable only for basic screen recording tasks with minimal setup, like capturing a tutorial or simple gameplay clip. While it handles screen and audio recording with low system impact, it lacks critical features like live streaming, source layering, and hotkey customization. Gamers and content creators relying on OBS’s full feature set will find Kazam too limited. It’s best for casual users wanting quick, lightweight recordings on Linux without configuration.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.5.7
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Records screen and audio (desktop and microphone) simultaneously
- Supports recording a selected region or full screen
- Includes a countdown timer before recording starts
- Lightweight and easy to install on Debian and Ubuntu systems
- Simple UI aimed at straightforward screen capture
What is different
- Kazam does not support live streaming to YouTube or Twitch
- No scene switching or source layering capabilities
- Limited hotkey support; cannot customize all controls
- No backend for advanced encoding settings or performance tuning
- Project is discontinued, so no updates or bug fixes expected
Opening your OBS Studio (with Windows Game Bar integration) files
Kazam records in WebM or MP4 depending on the system backend, which are common formats that can be played back or converted easily. However, it does not use OBS Studio’s project or scene files, and there is no import functionality for OBS settings or recordings. File compatibility is limited to video output only—no support for transferring scenes, audio profiles, or encoding presets between the two apps.
Switching from OBS Studio (with Windows Game Bar integration) to Kazam, step by step
- Install Kazam via apt: sudo apt install kazam
- Launch Kazam and select recording mode (region, window, or full screen)
- Set audio sources in preferences to capture microphone and system sound
- Use the countdown timer to prepare before recording starts
- Save the output WebM or MP4 file and convert if needed
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 stream live to Twitch or YouTube?
No, Kazam does not support live streaming. It is designed only for local screen recording.
Is Kazam still being developed?
No, Kazam is discontinued and no longer actively maintained.
Can I use hotkeys to control recording in Kazam?
Kazam has basic hotkey support, but it’s limited and not fully customizable like in OBS Studio.
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