Recording in Web Studio: cloud vs. local, and who gets which
7cubit Team
More in Creator Guides
“Record” can mean two different things in Web Studio. Cloud recording saves the broadcast on ApexStream’s servers, while local recording writes a file to your computer. One is convenient and follows the live program; the other can preserve a higher-quality local copy but uses your browser, disk, and computer resources at the same time as the stream.
Cloud recording: the easy archive
When you choose cloud recording, Web Studio sends the program to ApexStream storage as the show runs. The saved file reflects the composed scene you broadcast, including the layout and guests that made it into the server-side feed.
This is useful when you want a replay, a Podcast Studio draft, or a copy you can reach from another device. Your computer does not also have to encode and write the full video file locally.
Cloud recording starts at the Hobby plan ($25/mo); Free cannot record through ApexStream. Hobby’s Studio output is capped at 720p. If you move to Creator ($60/mo), Web Studio output is 1080p and the recording follows that higher Studio resolution. Podcast Studio is available on Hobby and above.
Local recording: the computer’s copy
Local recording captures media in the browser and writes it to your computer. Its main advantage is independence from the upload path. If the live feed becomes soft or drops frames because the connection struggles, the local file can still contain the media your computer captured.
That advantage has a cost. The browser is sending the live feed and writing a high-bitrate file at the same time. An older laptop, a nearly full disk, or a slow drive can cause the tab to stutter or the stream to lose performance. Watch the machine during a test instead of enabling local recording for the first time on a major show.
Local recording is available on Creator and above. It fits a workflow where the live show is the first step toward a carefully edited upload, color work, or high-quality highlights.
Use the Record menu as a target selector
Open the Record menu in Web Studio and choose the target you need: cloud, local, or both when your plan supports both options. Think of the menu as a routing choice, not just a single record button.
- Cloud only: a sensible choice for a replay, reference copy, or Podcast Studio draft.
- Local only: useful when the local master matters and your computer can sustain the workload.
- Both: a backup-minded workflow, with a cloud copy for access and a local file for post-production.
Creator plan users can also send the completed cloud recording into AI Clips, with up to three clips per stream. Choose recording targets based on the assets you actually plan to make rather than turning on every option automatically.
Pick the workflow that matches the job
Choose cloud recording when the priority is a reliable archive with minimal local strain. Choose local recording when you need a higher-quality working file and have a machine and disk that can handle it. Choose both for an important production where the extra local workload is worth the backup.
Whichever target you choose, run a short test. Start the recording, switch scenes, invite a guest if the show has one, and confirm where the resulting file appears. A recording plan is only useful when you know which copy exists after the show.
Also check storage before a long production. A successful recording still needs room to finish and a retention window that matches when you plan to edit. Treat the cloud copy as an accessible working asset, and move the final master to your own archive when the episode matters beyond the plan’s retention period.
Cloud or local?
| Choice | Where the file lives | Best for | Plan note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud | ApexStream storage | Replay, Podcast Studio drafts, and access from another device | Hobby and above |
| Local | Your computer | A higher-quality working copy and post-production | Creator and above |
| Both | ApexStream plus your computer | A cloud handoff with a local backup | Where both options are available |
Frequently asked questions
Which recording should I choose for a normal show?
Choose cloud when you want a dependable copy available from another device or a Podcast Studio draft. Choose local when the working master needs to stay on the production computer.
Can I use both?
Yes, where the plan supports both options and the computer can sustain the extra workload. Test local capture before a major show.