Live Captions and Translation for OBS Studio
Send real-time captions and translations from Maestra into OBS Studio, so they appear on your output and on every platform you stream to, such as Twitch or YouTube. Viewers install nothing.
Runs in Chrome on the same computer as OBS Studio. A free trial is available.
- 100+ languages
- Works with Twitch, YouTube
- Captions in an OBS text source
- Viewers install nothing
What Is the Maestra OBS Integration?
The OBS integration sends live captions from Maestra into a text source in OBS Studio. Captions and translations appear on your stream output, so viewers on any platform can read them without installing anything.
Captions land on the stream itself
Because the captions are part of the OBS output, they reach Twitch, YouTube and any other destination you stream to, in the language you choose to show.
Uses OBS's WebSockets server
Maestra connects to OBS through its WebSockets server and writes into a text source you name. OBS 28 and newer include WebSockets support; earlier versions use the obs-websocket plugin.
Or show a shareable session instead
You can also display a shareable Maestra session in an OBS browser source, which is useful when you want styled captions or a separate caption view.
How to Set Up Live Captions in OBS
Add a text source in OBS
Create a text box where captions will appear, set its font and size, and note its exact name.
Enable the WebSockets server
In OBS, open Tools > WebSockets Server Settings, enable the server, note the port and optionally set a password.
Connect OBS in Maestra
In Maestra's Settings > Channels, choose OBS Studio, enter the port, password and text source name, then click Update Channel.
Start captioning
Return to the captioner, confirm your microphone and language, and start. Finalized phrases appear on your stream a moment after you speak.
Caption your next stream
Open Maestra, connect OBS in a few minutes and see the captions on your output.
Ways to Caption an OBS Stream
Streams usually have no captions, hand-typed captions, or automatic AI captions.
| No captions | Hand-typed captions | Maestra live captions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effort while live | None | Someone types continuously | None after setup |
| Languages | The spoken language only | Usually one | 100+, including translation |
| Sound-off viewers | Miss the content | Can follow, if the typist keeps up | Can follow the captions |
| Delay | Not applicable | Depends on the typist | A short delay after each phrase is finalized |
| Record afterwards | None | Rarely saved | Transcript and translations can be exported |
| Best fit | Casual streams | Occasional events with a dedicated captioner | Regular streams, events and multilingual audiences |
What You Get With OBS Live Captions
Captions, translation and transcripts for creators and production teams.
Accurate live captions
Translated captions on your livestream to widen viewership and cross language barriers.
Live dubbing and voice cloning
Beyond captions, dub your voice with realistic AI voices or real-time voice cloning.
Saved transcripts
Keep transcripts and translations to repurpose and share on your other channels.
A custom dictionary
Channel names, game titles and usernames are rendered consistently.
Shareable session
Show a shareable session in a browser source or share it with viewers.
Works with your platforms
OBS output reaches Twitch, YouTube and any other destination you stream to.
Where OBS Captions Help
Built for streamers and production teams
Trusted by teams and individuals at:
OBS Live Captions FAQs
How does the OBS live captioning integration work?
Maestra connects to OBS Studio through its WebSockets server and writes captions into a text source you name. The captions become part of your stream output, so they reach every platform you stream to.
Do viewers need to install anything?
No. Captions appear directly on the stream, so viewers do not need to download or install anything.
Is there a delay?
Yes, a short one. Captions are sent once each phrase is finalized, so they appear a moment after you speak.
Does it work for large events?
Yes. Teams use it for webinars, conferences and large virtual events. For professional or team setups, enterprise options are available through a demo.
Can I try it before subscribing?
A free trial is available so you can test live captioning and translation with OBS.
Which versions of OBS are supported?
OBS Studio 26.1 or later with the obs-websocket plugin 4.9.0 or later. OBS 28 and newer include WebSockets support, exposed through the WebSockets Server Settings (4.x Compat) option.
How many languages are supported?
Maestra supports 100+ languages for live captions and translation, and saved sessions can be translated into 125+ languages.
Can I show captions in a browser source instead?
Yes. You can display a shareable Maestra session in an OBS browser source, as an alternative to the text source.
Can I export the transcript?
Yes. After the session you can download the original transcript and the translated versions for documentation, subtitles or repurposing.
Ready to caption your livestream?
Connect OBS in minutes, or book a walkthrough for a team or event production.