OBS Studio 33.0 is now available, bringing significant infrastructure changes alongside user-facing improvements.
The release updates the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) from version 127 to 150, representing a shift from July 2024 to September 2026 capabilities. According to the release notes, this modernizes the underlying system used for browser sources and docks. The developers note that “all of this work is on the backend and should be invisible to users” but ask users to report any new issues with browser sources encountered after updating.
A major architectural change involves a complete overhaul of how plugins load. First-party plugins now reside in a new folder named “core,” while third-party plugins have updated installation locations and folder structures. The software maintains backward compatibility—existing third-party plugins will continue loading from legacy locations through version 34.0.
User interface improvements include enhanced source snapping in the preview window. Sources now snap along entire axes rather than only when directly touching, and hidden sources no longer trigger snapping. A new visual indicator has been added to show when snapping occurs.
Number input fields, known as spinboxes, received significant refinements. Typing is no longer mysteriously blocked in certain situations, values no longer get cut off, and updates now only occur after pressing Enter—which no longer closes the window. Users can hold Shift while pressing Up/Down to advance multiple steps, and dragging within the input field now works properly.
The release includes numerous bug fixes addressing crashes, including issues on macOS 27.2 startup, invalid shader cache files, and USB microphone removal on Linux. It resolves problems with groups in Studio Mode, file splitting for Hybrid MP4/MOV, and PipeWire screencast source duplication.
Support additions include NVIDIA BROADCAST SDK support for audio and video effects, and NVENC encoding capability on ARM64 architecture. Several deprecations and toolchain requirement increases prepare the codebase for future development, including minimum version bumps for Visual Studio, Windows SDK, FFmpeg compatibility, and Qt framework support.
Ubuntu 24.04 support has been removed. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
Key facts
- OBS Studio 33 updates Chromium Embedded Framework from version 127 to 150
- Plugin system restructured with first-party plugins in new “core” folder and updated third-party plugin locations
- Source snapping improved with visual indicators and full-axis snapping functionality
- Number input fields refined to prevent text blocking and cutting, with Shift+arrow keyboard shortcuts for stepped input
- Multiple crash fixes including macOS 27.2, invalid shader cache, and Linux USB microphone removal
- NVENC enabled on ARM64 architecture for Windows
- Ubuntu 24.04 support removed