What is the OBS Studio Websocket Plugin

The OBS Studio Websocket plugin is a powerful tool that enables remote control of your broadcasting software through a network connection. This article explains what the OBS Websocket plugin is, how it functions, and the various ways you can use it to automate, control, and enhance your live streams and video recordings.

Understanding OBS Websocket

The OBS Websocket plugin establishes a secure server within OBS Studio. This server allows external applications, devices, and scripts on your local network to communicate directly with OBS. By sending commands back and forth, these external tools can monitor the status of your stream and control almost every aspect of the software.

Starting with OBS Studio version 28, this plugin comes natively pre-installed, meaning users no longer need to download it separately to access its features.

Key Capabilities: What It Allows You to Do

By enabling the OBS Websocket server, you open up a wide range of control and automation possibilities:

1. Remote Control via Secondary Devices

You can control your stream without needing to tab out of your game or physically access your main computer. Using apps on a smartphone, tablet, or secondary PC, you can switch scenes, adjust volume levels, toggle sources, and start or stop your stream.

2. Integration with Stream Decks and Control Boards

Websocket is the technology that powers popular physical control interfaces like the Elgato Stream Deck, Loupedeck, and various MIDI controllers. It translates physical button presses on your hardware into instant actions within OBS Studio.

3. Advanced Stream Automation

You can connect OBS to automation software such as Streamer.bot, SAMMI, or LioranBoard. This allows you to set up automatic triggers. For example, when a viewer redeems Twitch Channel Points or sends a donation, the Websocket plugin can automatically trigger an animation, change your voice filter, or switch to a specific camera scene.

4. Interactive HTML Overlays

Websocket allows local or web-hosted widgets and overlays to interact directly with your stream state. You can create custom browser sources that display real-time information based on what is happening in OBS, such as showing a specific graphic only when a particular audio source is unmuted.

5. Multi-PC Streaming Setup Control

If you use a dual-PC streaming setup, the Websocket plugin allows you to control the OBS instance running on your dedicated streaming PC directly from your gaming PC, streamlining your workflow and reducing the need for multiple keyboards and mice.