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Browser Extensions · head to head

Greasemonkey vs OBS Studio

Greasemonkey logo

Greasemonkey

Browser Extensions

The original userscript manager, for Firefox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OBS Studio logo

OBS Studio

Content Creation

Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Greasemonkey firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.; OBS Studio the Windows build supports only Windows 10 and 11
  • They diverge on capability: Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, OBS Studio covers Real-time video/audio capturing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 17 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Greasemonkey and OBS Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where Greasemonkey and OBS Studio differ
AttributeGreasemonkeyOBS Studio
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsFirefoxWindows, Macos, Linux
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsContent Creation
FoundedUnknown2012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Greasemonkey

  • Userscript execution
  • Built-in script editor
  • GM. API
  • @resource support
  • Script localisation
  • Firefox for Android

Only in OBS Studio

  • Real-time video/audio capturing
  • Scene composition
  • Audio mixer with filters
  • Configuration options
  • Modular 'Dock' UI
  • Studio mode
  • Plugin support
  • Streaming to multiple platforms

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Greasemonkey

  • Restyling or de-cluttering a site you use dailynot OBS Studio
  • Automating a repetitive action on a web applicationnot OBS Studio
  • Adding a missing feature to a site you do not controlnot OBS Studio
  • Running userscripts on Firefox for Androidnot OBS Studio
  • Writing and testing your own scripts in the browsernot OBS Studio

OBS Studio

  • Live streaming gameplay or a desktop to Twitch or YouTubenot Greasemonkey
  • Recording screen and webcam locallynot Greasemonkey
  • Compositing multiple video and audio sources into scenesnot Greasemonkey

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Greasemonkey

  • Firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.
  • Its API diverged from the Tampermonkey conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script from a sharing site may need adjusting to run.
  • The dashboard is plainer than Tampermonkey's, with no diff view when a script updates itself.
  • No cloud sync of the kind Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey offer; moving machines means exporting.
  • A userscript manager can read and rewrite every page you visit, so the security of the arrangement depends entirely on the scripts you choose to install.

OBS Studio

  • The Windows build supports only Windows 10 and 11
  • The macOS build requires macOS 13.0 or newer
  • Linux support is distributed as a Flatpak and as a PPA for Ubuntu 24.04 and later rather than official packages for other distributions
  • Game Capture is a Windows only source

Pricing, plan by plan

Greasemonkey

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Unlimited scripts
    • Built-in editor
    • No account required

OBS Studio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited recording time
    • Live streaming to platforms
    • Scene composition

Which should you pick?

Choose Greasemonkey if

  • You need userscript execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox.
  • You also want built-in script editor.
Greasemonkey review

Choose OBS Studio if

  • You need real-time video/audio capturing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want scene composition.
OBS Studio review

Questions people ask

Is Greasemonkey or OBS Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. Greasemonkey starts at Free and OBS Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Greasemonkey or OBS Studio?
Greasemonkey starts at Free and OBS Studio at Free.
Does Greasemonkey or OBS Studio run on more platforms?
Greasemonkey runs on Firefox. OBS Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use Greasemonkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Greasemonkey best used for?
Greasemonkey is most often used for restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily, automating a repetitive action on a web application, adding a missing feature to a site you do not control, running userscripts on firefox for android. Of those, restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily and automating a repetitive action on a web application are not what OBS Studio is typically brought in for.
What can Greasemonkey do that OBS Studio cannot?
Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Built-in script editor, GM. API, @resource support. OBS Studio covers Real-time video/audio capturing, Scene composition, Audio mixer with filters, Configuration options.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Greasemonkey: Is Greasemonkey still maintained?

Yes. Version 4.14 was released on 2 June 2026, and the project has an active repository, bug tracker and discussion groups.

Source
OBS Studio: How much does OBS Studio cost?

OBS Studio is completely free to use for all users, whether for personal or professional purposes.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey work on Chrome?

No. It is a Firefox extension and has never shipped for Chrome. Violentmonkey and Tampermonkey are the equivalents there.

Source
OBS Studio: Is OBS Studio open source?

Yes, OBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming, maintained by community contributors.

Source
Greasemonkey: Will Tampermonkey scripts run in Greasemonkey?

Often, but not always. Greasemonkey's API diverged from the conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script may need its header or its GM calls adjusted.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey run on mobile?

On Firefox for Android, from version 4.12. There is no iOS build, because Firefox on iOS cannot load extensions of this kind.

Source
Greasemonkey: What is the GM API?

The set of functions a userscript manager exposes to scripts, named after Greasemonkey, which defined it. Greasemonkey supports the promise-based GM. form including GM.xmlHttpRequest and GM.registerMenuCommand.

Source
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