---
title: "Browser ASCII Effects vs OBS Plugins — Honest Compare | TekDetek"
description: "Browser ASCII effects vs OBS filter plugins: when to use TekDetek as a browser source, when to use native OBS filters. Free to try in browser."
url: "https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-vs-obs-filters.html"
---

# Browser effects vs OBS filter plugins

Creators often choose between an **OBS ASCII plugin** and a **browser source** like TekDetek. Plugins run inside OBS; TekDetek runs in Chrome/Edge and you capture the tab.
TekDetek wins when you want reaction-diffusion, cellular automata, and detection in one pipeline without maintaining multiple OBS plugins. OBS native filters win when you need zero browser overhead.

## Free vs Pro

Free: open the app, swipe and edit looks (phone reaction-diffusion and cellular automata included), luma detection, Hand, watermarked MP4 or PNG up to 20 seconds, watermarked OBS up to 5 minutes (restart anytime).

Pro: clean export with no watermark, unlimited record and OBS, full preset library, Shuffle, Depth and Alt ASCII, add RD / CA / PreText / GEO 3D / Sonify on the desktop graph, higher detection caps. TekDetek is not completely free.

[Open TekDetek](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek/) · [Buy Pro](https://tekdetek.gumroad.com/l/xkljia)

![Browser-source ASCII effect for OBS comparison](https://vikmil.com/assets/seo-presets/ascii-terminal.gif)

_TekDetek ASCII — typical browser-source capture into OBS._

## When to use TekDetek as browser source

You want ASCII + RD + CA + luma/object detection without installing plugins. You share a URL with collaborators. You rehearse looks on phone before the venue.
Setup: [ASCII filter for OBS](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-obs-ascii-filter.html).

## When to use OBS plugins instead

You need minimum CPU/GPU overhead. You already own a stable ASCII shader plugin. You need deep integration with OBS audio filters.
TekDetek is not a Resolume replacement — it is a fast FX source. See [browser VJ tool](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-vj-tool.html).

## FAQ

### What is free?

Open the app in a browser, swipe and edit looks (phone reaction-diffusion and cellular automata included), luma detection, Hand, watermarked MP4 or PNG up to 20 seconds, and watermarked OBS up to 5 minutes (restart anytime).

### What requires Pro?

Clean export with no watermark, unlimited record and OBS, the full preset library, Shuffle, Depth and Alt ASCII, adding RD / CA / PreText / GEO 3D / Sonify on the desktop graph, and higher detection caps. TekDetek is not completely free.

### Is TekDetek an OBS plugin?

No — it is a browser app you capture as a Browser Source.

### Latency?

Browser capture adds a frame or two. Rehearse before streaming.

## More tools

- [ASCII video tool](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-ascii-vj.html)
- [ASCII webcam filter](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-ascii-webcam-filter.html)
- [ASCII filter for OBS](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-obs-ascii-filter.html)
- [Browser VJ tool](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-vj-tool.html)
- [Reaction-diffusion](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-reaction-diffusion.html)
- [Cellular automata](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-cellular-automata.html)
- [Nodes](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-nodes.html)
- [Guide](https://vikmil.com/tekdetek-guide.html)