What is an OBS browser source used for?

OBS Browser Sources are used for alerts, chat overlays, donation widgets, real-time captions, translation overlays, and any web-based element you want to display in your stream.

How do I add a browser source to OBS?

In OBS Studio, click the + button under Sources, select Browser Source, enter a URL and set the width/height, then click OK.

Does a browser source slow down OBS?

Modern browser sources are lightweight. StreamTranslate's overlay is optimized for minimal CPU usage and should not noticeably impact your OBS performance.

Glossary

What is an
OBS Browser Source?

The OBS Browser Source is how StreamTranslate delivers real-time translated subtitles to your stream — no plugins, no downloads.

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Definition

An OBS Browser Source is a source type in OBS Studio that renders a live web page inside your streaming scene. It uses a built-in Chromium browser to load URLs, display interactive elements, and render web apps directly in your stream.

Browser Sources are used for alerts, overlays, chat widgets, and — via StreamTranslate — real-time translated subtitles.

How OBS Browser Sources Work

OBS embeds a Chromium browser internally
You provide a URL and dimensions (e.g. 1920×1080)
The web page renders live and appears as a transparent overlay in your scene
Web apps can communicate with OBS via JavaScript APIs
Browser Sources update in real time — changes to the web app appear instantly

How StreamTranslate Uses Browser Sources

StreamTranslate gives you a unique overlay URL. You paste that URL into an OBS Browser Source. The page connects to StreamTranslate's AI translation service, listens to your microphone, and renders translated subtitles directly in your OBS scene — all in real time.

No plugin installation needed — browser source is built into OBS
Transparent background — subtitles overlay your game or camera
Fully customizable position and styling via StreamTranslate dashboard

Related Resources

Pricing

Free Plan: 3 hours every month. Card required; no payment unless you choose to upgrade.
Stream Pass — $9.99: One full stream session, all languages
Starter — $14.99/mo: 25 hours/month, single language
Pro — $34.99/mo: 50 hours/month, dual language
Unlimited — $149/mo: Unlimited hours, dual language

See full pricing →

Also stream IRL

Also supports IRL with Moblin and the OBS audio plugin, including home and cloud OBS setups such as IRL Toolkit.

Use an OBS receiver for IRL Pro, Larix Broadcaster, PRISM Live Mobile or TVU Go. Cloud providers may need to install the plugin on your server.

Moblin · Moblin Browser Source · Cloud OBS · IRL Toolkit · OBS Studio · IRL Pro · Larix Broadcaster · PRISM Live Mobile · TVU Go · MediaMTX

IRL setup guide · Desktop setup guide