Free OBS-HUD 2025-09-07

NOTE: The newest development updates will appear first on the OBS-HUD Itch.io homepage.

OBS-HUD is a standalone software utility that provides customizable, on-screen status icons and time counters to indicate OBS streaming and recording activity. Monitoring these OBS functions no longer requires looking to the system tray icon or main window. Instead, users have complete control and freedom to place visual elements wherever desired on their monitor(s). OBS-HUD works by monitoring the OBS application directly. When OBS starts streaming or recording, OBS-HUD automatically displays the appropriate icon or counter on-screen. When streaming or recording stops, the HUD elements disappear. For video recording, OBS-HUD also automatically switches the recording icon to a paused icon when the Pause function is used in OBS.

FEATURES

• Position the status icons and counters anywhere on your screen(s) with single-pixel precision
• Adjust transparency setting for each icon and counter
• Lock icon and counter positions to prevent accidental movement
• Create and use custom status icons from PNG files
• Fully customize each counter's font typeface, size, color, and bold, italic, underline effects
• Easy usage. Once configured, using OBS-HUD is as simple as launching it when needed and closing it when done. Added features also enable OBS-HUD to run silently in the background at all times if desired
• Standalone and portable. OBS-HUD makes no changes to system files, the registry, OBS, or any other applications
• Icons will not appear in broadcasts or recordings unless you choose an OBS recording mode that captures them
• Works offline
• No data collection or reporting

NOTES:

• OBS-HUD is not digitally signed, so you may encounter an 'Unknown Publisher' or AV warning when running the program. If you wish to proceed, setting a manual approval or exception for the program will be the simplest solution.
• Icons and counters will not display over games/programs that render in a fullscreen or exclusive mode. If you want these HUD elements to appear over a game window, you will likely have to set the game to Windowed or Borderless Window rendering mode.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• PC running Windows 7+ x64
• OBS Studio v26.1.1 - v31.1.2
• Counters supported for OBS Studio v29.1.3 - v31.1.2

INSTALLATION & UPDATING

• Manually extract all files from the ZIP archive to desired location. (Recommended directory: C:\Programs\OBS-HUD\)
• To update to a new version, extract the latest ZIP archive over the current installation and overwrite all files. Your settings file and custom icon sets will not be affected.
  • Follow the steps in obs-hud_quickstart.txt to get started quickly.
  • See obs-hud_readme.txt for additional information, including instructions for custom icon creation.

NOTES:

• OBS-HUD must have file read/write permissions in the installation folder to load image files and save settings.
• Multiple versions of OBS-HUD can be installed simultaneously when placed in different folders.

UNINSTALLING

Delete the OBS-HUD installation folder, all subfolders and files.

NOTES:

• If you wish to save your settings, do NOT delete the obs-hud_settings.ini file. Copy it to a safe location before removing the program folder.
• To preserve custom icon sets, backup the appropriate subfolder(s) and files from within the 'IconSets' directory.

LICENSE

By using the software, the user agrees to the following terms:

• The author retains all ownership rights to the software.
• The software may be used for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
• The user may not resell or redistribute the software in any form, modified or unmodified.
• The software is provided as-is, without warranty of any kind. The user accepts all responsibility and risks associated with use of the software.