ChatGPT answers, unedited

Yes. If your priority is “click record and it captures what I hear from the browser/apps without messing with audio routing,” you’ll want to avoid tools like OBS + virtual audio cables. OBS is powerful, but it often requires more setup than a non-technical user wants. EaseUS

Good options:

vyds Descript### My picks by situation

• Windows, simplest possible: try Xbox Game Bar first. It is already installed on many Windows PCs and can capture apps with system audio without creating virtual audio devices. Reddit
• Mac, simplest possible: look at Screen Studio or a browser-based recorder that supports internal audio. Traditional Mac workflows often require extra audio drivers for full system audio capture, so avoid tools that tell you to install BlackHole/Loopback unless you need advanced routing. vyds
• Need editing (cutting mistakes, adding arrows/text): Camtasia is aimed at non-video professionals.
• Need “record → send a link” for coworkers: Loom is designed for that workflow. Descript

I would avoid for your use case

• OBS Studio — excellent, free, but it is more of a production tool. You may spend time configuring scenes, sources, and audio inputs instead of recording. BestAlternatives
• VoiceMeeter / BlackHole / Loopback — useful when you need precise audio mixing, but they are exactly the “complicated routing” category. AudioRoute

If you tell me Windows or Mac, and whether you need microphone + system sound together (e.g., narrating a tutorial) or just the computer’s audio, I can narrow it to one or two choices.

Yes. If you want “install it, choose the screen, hit Record” without messing with virtual audio cables or OBS routing, there are good options.

My shortlist

• loom.com — probably the easiest overall. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, while the Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. Atlassian Support Loom

• Best for: browser + apps, tutorials, meetings, quick recordings.
• Caveat: Loom is more oriented toward recording/sharing videos than simply making local archival recordings.
• screenrecording.app — very simple if you want local files. It claims to capture system audio + microphone simultaneously without a virtual audio driver, including on macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS, using Chromium's screen-capture mechanism. Screen Recording App

• Best for: “I don't want to install/configure anything.”
• Important caveat: its system-audio capture is dependent on browser support, so I'd test it with the particular apps you care about.
• screenpal.com — another beginner-friendly option. It records the screen and audio, but computer/system audio is a paid feature, so it's less attractive if that's your primary requirement. ScreenPal

If you're on Windows vs. Mac

Windows: you have more straightforward choices. Windows' audio architecture makes system-audio capture relatively painless, and tools such as Loom or OBS can capture desktop/application audio. Techshali

Mac: this is where I'd pay particular attention. Traditional tools such as QuickTime often require a virtual audio driver such as BlackHole to capture system audio. Some newer screen recorders avoid that complexity. Screen Recording App Techshali

What I'd pick

If your requirement is specifically:

“I want to record whatever I'm hearing from Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, another app, etc., plus optionally my microphone, and I don't want to understand audio routing.”

I'd start with Loom for the simplest established app, or Screen Recording App if you primarily want a local video file and don't want to install/configure an audio driver.

If you tell me Mac or Windows, and whether you need microphone + system audio simultaneously, I can narrow it down to the simplest option and give you the exact 2–3 settings to use.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture whatever the browser/apps are playing”, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My shortlist

• Loom — easiest overall. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, while the Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. You can also record your microphone at the same time. Atlassian Support Loom

loom.com

• Zight — another very simple option. It explicitly supports system audio + microphone together and works on Mac, Windows, and Chrome. The free plan currently limits recordings to five minutes. Zight

zight.com

• OBS Studio — powerful, but not my recommendation for a non-technical user. It can capture desktop or individual-application audio, including on modern macOS, but there are substantially more settings to understand. OBS Studio

obsproject.com

If you're on Windows

I'd start with Loom. Windows is generally easier for system-audio capture, and Loom's desktop app has a straightforward “Use system audio” setting. Atlassian Support

If you're on a Mac

I'd particularly favor a recorder that uses Apple's newer audio-capture APIs rather than making you install BlackHole, Soundflower, Loopback, etc. Modern macOS allows applications to capture desktop/app audio directly when they implement Apple's ScreenCaptureKit; OBS, for example, supports this on macOS 13+. OBS Studio

If you tell me whether you're on Windows 10/11 or macOS (and which version), I can narrow this down to the 1–2 simplest choices and tell you exactly what to click.

Yes. For a non-technical user who wants browser audio + app/system audio without virtual cables or routing, I would avoid OBS and look at these:

Best simple choices

1. Loom — easiest overall

loom.com

• Very beginner-friendly: open app → choose screen → record.
• The desktop app can capture system audio from apps, not just your microphone. Atlassian Support
• Good for:

• recording a browser video with sound
• software tutorials
• explaining something on your screen
• quick sharing with a link
• Downsides:

• More focused on sharing videos than being a full editing suite.
• Free-plan limits may matter depending on how much you record. Loom

My pick for a non-technical person: start here.

2. ScreenPal — simple recorder with more editing

screenpal.com

• Easy screen recorder interface.
• Includes basic editing tools.
• Captures screens, webcams, and narration. ScreenPal
• Better if you want to trim clips, add captions, or make polished tutorials.

3. Built-in options (if you only need basic recording)

Windows

• Xbox Game Bar can record many apps with system sound and requires almost no setup.
• Good for quick clips, less ideal for tutorials.

Mac

• macOS screen recording is easy, but full system audio capture has historically been more complicated than Windows. Many Mac users end up needing extra audio software for system-wide sound.

What I would avoid for your situation

OBS Studio

It is excellent, but it is designed for streamers and creators:

• scenes
• audio sources
• filters
• routing
• virtual devices

It can do almost anything, but it is usually too much for someone who just wants “record what I see and hear.”

Quick recommendation

• “I want the simplest thing that just works” → Loom
• “I want to edit videos afterward” → ScreenPal
• “I want free and don’t mind learning” → OBS
• “I’m on Windows and just need occasional clips” → Xbox Game Bar

If you tell me whether you’re on Windows or Mac and whether you need microphone + system audio together (for example, your voice over a browser video), I can narrow it down.

Yes. If your priority is “click Record and capture whatever the computer is playing,” without BlackHole/Loopback/VoiceMeeter/OBS routing, there are several much easier options.

My picks

• screen.studio — best if you're on Mac. It can record system audio from all apps or selected apps, so browser audio, Zoom, music players, etc. can be captured without building an audio-routing setup. Screen Studio Screen Studio

Ease: ★★★★★
Best for: Mac users who want a polished, dead-simple recorder.

• zight.com — good cross-platform choice. It supports Mac and Windows and can record system audio + microphone together, along with the screen. Zight

Ease: ★★★★★
Best for: Someone who wants one simple app rather than an audio-production setup.

• Screen Recorder Studio (Chrome extension) — particularly interesting if most of what you need is browser/app recording. It can capture screen, window, or tab plus system/tab audio, and saves locally rather than uploading the recording. Chrome Web Store

Ease: ★★★★★
Best for: “I just want to record this and save an MP4.”

One important distinction

If you mean:

“I want to record Chrome/Edge AND ordinary desktop apps, with their sound, and I don't want to think about audio routing.”

I'd choose Screen Studio on Mac or Zight on Windows/Mac.

If you mean:

“I only need to record a particular browser tab and its audio.”

A browser-based recorder can be even simpler. Chrome's built-in tab-sharing mechanism can capture the tab's audio without virtual audio drivers. Screen Record Zumie

I would avoid OBS + BlackHole/VoiceMeeter for your use case. They're excellent when you need control, but they're exactly the kind of routing complexity you're trying to avoid.

If you tell me Mac or Windows, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 simplest options, including which one handles both browser audio and app audio most reliably.

Yes. For a non-technical user, you’ll want something that captures screen + computer audio (browser/app sounds) without installing virtual audio cables or doing routing. The best choices depend on whether you use Windows or Mac.

Easiest options

1. Camtasia — easiest “just works” paid option

• Very beginner-friendly interface.
• Records screen, browser audio, app audio, and microphone.
• Good if you need tutorials, meetings, training videos, or editing afterward.
• Costs money, but avoids the complexity of tools like OBS. Reddit

2. Loom — easiest for quick clips

• Designed for people who don’t want technical settings.
• Good for recording a browser, explaining something, or sending a video to someone.
• Audio setup is simple.
• Better for short recordings than long high-quality captures.

3. Browser-based recorders — simplest if you mainly need browser audio

Tools like browser screen recorders can capture a tab or screen and include audio without installing drivers. Chrome/Edge generally provide a “share audio” option during screen capture. DrawnColor Screen Recording App

Good choices:

• Riverside — simple screen + audio recording workflow. Riverside
• Browser recorders such as Screen Recording App can capture internal audio through the browser’s screen picker without virtual audio drivers in supported setups. Screen Recording App

4. Built-in Windows option: Xbox Game Bar

If you’re on Windows:

• Press Windows key + G
• Start recording
• It can capture app audio and microphone with little setup. Reddit

The limitation: it is more focused on recording individual apps/windows rather than being a full production recorder.

What I would avoid for a non-technical person

• OBS Studio — excellent, but it often requires learning audio sources, scenes, and routing.
• Virtual audio cables (BlackHole, VB-Cable, etc.) — powerful but exactly the “complicated routing” problem you’re trying to avoid.

My simple recommendation

• Windows user: Camtasia if you want reliable/easy; Xbox Game Bar if free is enough.
• Mac user: Camtasia or a browser-based recorder using Chrome/Edge. Mac’s built-in QuickTime/Screenshot tools generally do not capture system audio without extra setup.
• Just recording a website/video call/tutorial: Loom or a browser recorder.

If you tell me Windows or Mac and whether you need long recordings (hours) or short clips, I can narrow it to one choice.

Yes. If your priority is “record whatever I hear from the browser/apps without becoming an audio engineer,” there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio routing.

My picks

• loom.com — easiest overall

• Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just your microphone. Atlassian Support Loom
• You simply enable “Use system audio” and record.
• On Windows, this is particularly straightforward.
• On Mac, Loom's desktop app also handles system audio, avoiding the traditional BlackHole/Loopback setup. Atlassian Support
• Best if you want to record a browser, Zoom/Teams, another application, etc., and then easily share the recording.
• screenpal.com — good simple alternative

• Designed around straightforward screen recording rather than complicated audio routing.
• Available on Windows and Mac, and its recorder can capture computer activity and audio. ScreenPal
• Particularly attractive if you want some basic editing afterward.
• obsproject.com — powerful, but I wouldn't pick it for you

• Free and excellent at capturing system audio, but the interface and configuration are substantially more complicated. Tajo
• Great once you need multiple audio sources, scenes, streaming, etc.
• Overkill if your goal is simply “record my screen and whatever the computer is playing.”

The important Mac vs. Windows distinction

If you're on Windows, this is relatively easy because Windows provides system-audio capture that recorders can use directly.

If you're on Mac, Apple's built-in Screenshot/QuickTime recording doesn't directly capture system audio, which is why older recommendations tell you to install BlackHole and create an audio-routing setup. vyds Screenify Studio

However, newer Mac screen recorders can capture system audio directly using Apple's newer capture APIs, so you don't necessarily need BlackHole anymore. cursorclip.com

If you tell me whether you're on Windows or Mac, I can give you the simplest “click these 3 things and you're recording browser + app audio” option.

Yes. If your priority is “select what I want to record, make sure the computer’s sound is included, and press Record”, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My picks

• loom.com — easiest overall, Mac + Windows. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just your microphone. The Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. Atlassian Support Loom

Best for: someone who wants almost zero setup.

• movavi.com — best if you want a traditional recorder that saves files locally. It explicitly supports system audio from websites and apps, plus microphone audio, on both Windows and Mac. Movavi Movavi

Best for: recording videos/tutorials and keeping the resulting MP4 yourself.

• screen.studio — particularly nice on Mac. It can capture system audio from all apps or let you select a particular app, without requiring you to build audio routing yourself. Screen Studio

Best for: polished screen recordings and tutorials.

If you're on Mac

I'd avoid OBS, BlackHole, Loopback, etc. unless you specifically need advanced audio mixing. Traditional Mac screen recording has historically required virtual audio routing, but newer recorders can use Apple's screen-capture APIs to grab system audio directly. Screen Charm Screenify Studio

If you're on Windows

It's generally easier because Windows supports system-audio capture more directly. Loom or Movavi would be my first two choices for a non-technical user.

If you tell me whether you're on Windows or Mac, and whether you want to record the whole computer or just one browser/app, I can give you the simplest option and exactly what to click.

Yes. For a non-technical user, I would avoid OBS Studio and anything that requires “virtual audio cables,” routing, or driver setup. The easiest options are:

Easiest choices

1. Browser-based screen recorders (simplest)

Good if you mainly want to record browser audio, tutorials, meetings, videos, or app windows.

• screenrecording.app — designed around capturing system sound + microphone without virtual audio drivers. It works through the browser’s screen-sharing audio capture. Screen Recording App
• riverside.com — simple “pick screen → record” workflow with system sound and mic options. Riverside

Best for: “I just want to click Record and capture what I hear.”

Caveat: browser-based tools depend on your operating system and browser. Chrome/Edge generally have the best support for internal audio capture. Screen Recording App

2. Camtasia (easiest full desktop app)

A good paid option for someone who wants:

• record any app
• capture system audio
• add narration
• edit the video afterward

It is much easier than OBS, with a more guided interface.

3. ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic)

Another beginner-friendly recorder:

• simple controls
• good for tutorials and presentations
• less intimidating than professional tools

If you are on Windows

The built-in option may already work:

• Xbox Game Bar can record app audio and screen with a keyboard shortcut, though it is mainly designed around individual app capture rather than every sound on the machine. Reddit

If you are on Mac

Be aware: many traditional Mac recorders (including built-in tools) do not capture system audio by themselves; historically this required extra audio drivers. Screen Recording App A browser-based recorder that supports internal audio can be simpler, depending on what you need to capture. Screen Recording App

My recommendation by situation

• “I need to record a website/video in Chrome with sound” → use a browser recorder.
• “I need to record any app on my computer with sound” → Camtasia or ScreenPal.
• “I want free and don’t mind learning” → OBS Studio (powerful, but not beginner-friendly).
• “I never want to think about audio routing” → avoid OBS + virtual cables.

If you tell me Windows or Mac and whether you need to record browser only or all apps, I can narrow it to the best one-click option.

Yes. For a non-technical user who wants browser + app audio without virtual cables, routing, or OBS-style setup, there are a few good options. The best choice depends on whether you use Windows or Mac.

Easiest options

1. Camtasia — easiest paid desktop app

• Very beginner-friendly: click Record → choose screen → record.
• Captures system audio and microphone without making you build an audio routing setup.
• Has built-in editing, trimming, captions, and annotations.
• Best for tutorials, training videos, and work presentations.
• Downside: it is paid.

2. Loom — easiest for quick sharing

• Extremely simple: record screen, browser tab, or app.
• Good for sending walkthroughs to coworkers.
• Audio setup is usually simple.
• Better for short explanations than long recordings or professional editing.

3. Browser-based recorders — simplest "no install" route

If you mostly need to record Chrome/Edge tabs, videos, webinars, or browser apps, these can be very easy:

• screenrecording.app
• riverside.com

They use the browser's built-in screen sharing audio capture. In Chrome/Edge, you typically:

1. Click record.
2. Pick a tab/window/screen.
3. Turn on Share audio.
4. Record.

No Soundflower, BlackHole, VB-Audio cables, or routing panels. Screen Recording App

4. OBS Studio — powerful but not my first pick for this user

• Free and excellent.
• Handles browser audio, app audio, microphones, multiple scenes, etc.
• But the interface is more technical than a casual user usually wants.

My recommendation by situation

A small caveat: "system audio" is not identical across operating systems. Browser tab audio is usually the easiest. Capturing all sounds from every app on the computer can still depend on Windows/macOS permissions and the recorder being used. screenrecorder.dev

If you tell me Windows or Mac and whether you need (a) browser only, (b) any app on the computer, or (c) Zoom/Teams calls, I can narrow it to one or two choices.

Yes. If your priority is “click Record and capture what I hear from the browser/apps without learning audio routing,” there are several good options.

My top picks

• Loom — easiest overall. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just your microphone. On Windows and Mac, you enable Use system audio and record. Atlassian Support Atlassian Support

loom.com

• CleanShot X — excellent if you're on Mac. It has built-in voice + system audio recording, so you don't have to set up something like BlackHole or create virtual audio devices. CleanShot X

cleanshot.com

• OBS Studio — very capable, but I'd not choose it for a non-technical user. It can capture desktop/application audio, but its many settings and routing concepts make it more complicated than necessary. OBS Studio OBS Studio

obsproject.com

The important distinction

If by “system audio” you mean:

“I'm watching a YouTube video, playing audio in Chrome, or using an app, and I want the recording to include exactly what the computer is playing.”

Then Loom Desktop is probably the simplest cross-platform answer.

If you're on Mac, I'd lean toward CleanShot X if you want a local recording tool rather than a cloud-oriented sharing workflow.

And if you tell me Mac or Windows, I can give you the 2–3 simplest options specifically for that OS, including which ones can capture browser + multiple apps simultaneously without virtual audio cables.

Yes. If you want “press record → capture the screen + browser/app audio → save a file” without learning audio routing, there are several good options. The best choice depends mostly on whether you use Windows or Mac.

Easiest choices for non-technical users

1. Camtasia — easiest full-featured desktop option

Best for: tutorials, presentations, training videos

• Very simple interface
• Records screen, microphone, and computer audio
• No virtual audio cables or OBS-style routing
• Built-in editor for trimming, captions, zooms, etc.
• Paid, but polished

Good choice if you want something that “just works” and you may edit recordings afterward.

2. Loom — easiest for quick sharing

Best for: quick demos, explaining something to another person

• Very simple workflow
• Captures screen and microphone easily
• Browser/app recording
• Automatically creates shareable videos

The downside: it is designed around cloud sharing, so it may not be ideal if you want everything stored locally.

3. Screen Studio — excellent for Mac users

Best for: polished-looking recordings without editing skills

• Extremely simple
• Captures screen + system audio
• Automatically adds smooth zooms and cursor effects
• Designed for non-video-editors

4. Xbox Game Bar (Windows built-in) — free and surprisingly easy

Best for: recording an app/game/window on Windows

• Press Win + G
• Click record
• Captures app audio
• No setup

Limitations:

• Not as flexible for full desktop recordings
• Editing features are minimal

5. Browser-based recorders — simplest for browser audio

If you mainly need Chrome/Edge tabs (YouTube, webinars, web apps), browser recorders can avoid installing anything. Chrome/Edge can offer a “share audio” option when capturing a tab or screen. DrawnColor Screen Recording App

Examples:

• screenrecording.app
• drawncolor.com

These are usually easiest for browser-only recording, but capturing audio from arbitrary desktop apps can still depend on your operating system. Prescosoft

What I would avoid for your use case

• OBS Studio — excellent, free, but it is built for power users. Audio sources, scenes, and routing can feel overwhelming.
• Virtual audio cable setups (BlackHole, VB-Cable, etc.) — powerful, but exactly the kind of routing complexity you are trying to avoid.

My recommendation by situation

• Windows + want easiest free option: Xbox Game Bar first; Camtasia if you want editing.
• Mac + want it effortless: Screen Studio.
• Mostly browser videos/classes/webinars: a browser recorder or Loom.
• Need professional tutorials: Camtasia.

One important question: are you on Windows or Mac, and do you need to record all computer sounds (multiple apps) or just one browser tab/app at a time? That changes the best choice.

Yes. If your goal is “record my screen and whatever audio is coming from the browser/apps, without learning virtual audio cables or routing,” there are several much easier options.

My picks

• On Mac: Screen Studio — probably the best fit for a non-technical user. It can capture system audio from all apps or selected apps directly, alongside the screen and microphone. No BlackHole/Loopback-style routing is needed. Screen Studio Screen Studio

screen.studio

• On Mac: Cap — a particularly simple/free option. Its current Mac workflow lets you toggle “Record System Audio” and start recording, without BlackHole or Audio MIDI Setup. Cap

cap.so

• On Windows + Mac: Loom — very approachable if you want something closer to “click record and go,” particularly for browser-based recordings and sharing. Current comparisons list system audio capture among its capabilities. CursorClip

loom.com

• Screen Recording App — another extremely simple option that uses the browser's built-in audio capture path. It can capture internal audio from Chromium browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera without a virtual audio driver. Screen Recording App

What I'd avoid for your use case

OBS Studio is excellent, but if your priority is “I don't want to understand audio routing,” it's probably the wrong first choice. It's designed to give you lots of control, which means more setup and more things that can go wrong.

Likewise, BlackHole, VoiceMeeter, Loopback, etc. are great when you need sophisticated routing, but they're unnecessary for straightforward screen + system-audio recording. audio-route.com

If you tell me whether you're on Mac or Windows, I can narrow this down to the simplest 1–2 options, including which one can record browser audio + other app audio + your microphone simultaneously.

Yes. If your priority is “just press Record and capture whatever my computer is playing”, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My picks

• Loom — easiest overall, especially Windows + Mac. Its desktop app can record system audio from any application, including browser audio, with a simple “Use system audio” setting. Atlassian Support Loom

loom.com

• Screen Studio — best if you're on Mac and want polished recordings. It can capture system audio from all apps or a selected app without you manually configuring audio routing. Screen Studio

screen.studio

• Screen Recording App — simplest if you don't want to install anything. It runs in Chrome/Edge/Brave/Opera and can capture system audio plus microphone audio without virtual audio drivers. Screen Recording App

screenrecording.app

What I'd avoid

OBS Studio is excellent, but probably not what you're looking for. It's designed around sources, scenes, mixers, and audio configuration. On Mac in particular, older setups often involved virtual audio drivers; newer macOS versions have improved native capture, but it's still more technical than the alternatives. obsproject.com

If you tell me whether you're on Windows or Mac, I can give you the single easiest option and exactly what to click to record browser + app audio with your microphone, if desired.

Yes. If the priority is “I just want to click Record and have the computer’s audio included”, you absolutely don’t need to deal with OBS, BlackHole, VoiceMeeter, or virtual-audio routing.

My top picks

• loom.com — easiest overall. Its desktop app can record system audio from any application, while its Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. You simply enable “Use system audio.” Atlassian Support

Best for: someone non-technical who wants “record → done.”

• tella.com — very user-friendly. It has Mac and Windows apps plus a browser recorder, and supports recording computer/system audio alongside your microphone. Tella

Best for: polished screen recordings and presentations.

• zight.com — simple alternative. It explicitly supports system audio + microphone simultaneously and has Mac/Windows apps and a Chrome extension. Zight

Best for: quick recordings, support tickets, demos, and sharing links.

• riverside.com — simplest if you don't want to install anything. It can capture screen, microphone, and system sound directly from the browser. Riverside

If you're on a Mac

This is particularly important: macOS is traditionally the annoying one. Apple's built-in Screenshot/QuickTime recording doesn't normally capture the Mac's own system audio, which is why people get pushed toward BlackHole/Loopback/OBS. Niobium Labs CursorClip

So for a non-technical Mac user, I'd pick Loom or Tella rather than trying to configure OBS.

If you're on Windows

It's easier because Windows has native mechanisms for capturing application/system audio, but I'd still choose Loom or Zight if simplicity matters.

My recommendation:
If you tell me Mac or Windows, and whether you need to record (1) browser audio, (2) audio from any app, or (3) both at the same time, I can narrow it down to the one simplest option for you.

Yes. If your goal is “click Record and capture whatever audio is coming from the browser/apps,” without messing with virtual audio cables, there are several good options.

My picks

• loom.com — easiest overall, especially on Windows.

Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, while the Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. You simply enable “Use system audio” in the desktop app. Atlassian Support Loom
Best for: non-technical users who want something very straightforward.

• screen.studio — probably my favorite if you're on a Mac.

It can capture system audio from all apps or selected apps, so you don't have to create BlackHole/Loopback devices or do audio routing. Screen Studio Screen Studio
Best for: Mac users who want polished recordings and minimal setup.

• OBS Studio — excellent and free, but not my first choice for a non-technical user.

Modern OBS can capture individual application audio on Windows, and macOS 13+ has native desktop/application audio capture. OBS Studio OBS Studio
Best for: people who eventually want more control. It has more configuration than you need for simple screen recording.

The important distinction

If you mean:

“I want to record Chrome/Edge/Firefox AND other apps, with their sound, while still hearing the sound normally, and I don't want to install virtual audio cables.”

Then yes, absolutely. I'd choose:

Windows → Loom
Mac → Screen Studio

Both avoid the old-school BlackHole / Soundflower / VB-Cable / virtual mixer approach for ordinary system-audio recording.

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can give you the simplest possible setup—literally the few settings to click, including how to record browser audio + app audio + your microphone simultaneously.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture what I hear from the browser/apps”, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My top picks

• loom.com — easiest overall, especially Windows

• Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just your microphone. Atlassian Support Loom
• You can record the screen, an individual window, or the whole desktop.
• Very little audio configuration compared with OBS.
• Best choice if you want “just make it work.”
• screen.studio — excellent if you're on a Mac

• Can record system audio from all apps or selected apps without you building an audio-routing setup. Screen Studio Screen Studio
• Particularly nice for tutorials/demos because it automatically makes recordings look polished.
• Mac-focused, so this is my first choice for a nontechnical Mac user.
• zight.com — another simple cross-platform option

• Available for Mac, Windows, and Chrome.
• Can capture system audio + microphone together, with very little setup. Zight
• Good if you want something simpler than a full production recorder.

What I'd avoid

OBS Studio is fantastic, but I wouldn't recommend it for your particular requirement if you're nontechnical. On Windows it can capture individual applications' audio, but there are considerably more settings to understand. OBS Studio On Mac, things have gotten much better with newer macOS versions, but audio capture can still become more complicated depending on what you're trying to record. OBS Studio OBS Studio

One important distinction

If by “browser and apps” you mean:

“I want to record whatever sound is coming out of my computer, whether it's Chrome, Spotify, a game, Zoom, VLC, etc., without changing my computer's audio output or installing virtual cables.”

Then yes — Loom is probably the first one I'd try on Windows, and Screen Studio on Mac.

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or macOS, I can narrow it down to the simplest option that captures both browser audio and arbitrary apps, including whether it can record multiple apps simultaneously.

Yes. You absolutely don’t need OBS + virtual audio cables for this anymore, especially if the goal is simply “record whatever I’m hearing on my computer.”

The best choice depends mainly on whether you're on Windows or Mac:

• Windows: screenrec.com is probably the simplest. It can record the screen plus system audio and microphone, with a very straightforward workflow. ScreenRec
• Mac: CleanShot X or Screen Studio are good choices if you want a polished native app. Current Mac options can capture system audio without making you manually construct an audio-routing setup. CursorClip Highlight Studio
• Mac + Windows: tella.com is particularly approachable. It supports screen, computer audio, and microphone on both platforms, with a much simpler interface than OBS. Tella
• No installation: riverside.com can capture the screen, system sound, and microphone directly from the browser. Riverside
• Free/no-install alternative: looped.video lets you select a screen/window/tab and turn on system audio directly in the browser. Looped

What I'd pick

If your requirement is:

“I want to press Record, and have the audio coming from Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, VLC, etc. recorded without understanding audio routing.”

I'd narrow it to:

Windows → ScreenRec
Mac → CleanShot X / Screen Studio
Either → Tella

And I would not recommend OBS for this particular user. It's excellent, but its strength is flexibility; that flexibility is exactly what makes it unnecessarily complicated for a non-technical person. VidioPics

If you tell me Mac or Windows, I can give you the 2–3 easiest options specifically for that OS, including which ones can capture multiple apps' audio simultaneously and whether they are free.

Yes. If your priority is “just hit Record and capture whatever is playing on the computer,” without learning virtual audio cables or routing, there are a few good choices.

My top pick: loom.com

Loom is probably the closest match to what you're describing.

• Windows: its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, so browser audio and sounds from other apps can be included. You simply enable “Use system audio” in Loom's settings. Atlassian Support Atlassian Support
• Mac: Loom's desktop recorder supports system audio as well. Loom Loom
• You can record the whole screen, a window, or a selected area.
• You can also include your microphone if you want narration.
• It's considerably simpler than setting up OBS with virtual audio devices.

loom.com

Another good option: Snagit

techsmith.com is also very user-friendly and can record microphone and/or system audio. TechSmith Support

I'd lean toward Snagit if you want to save recordings locally and edit them, rather than primarily making recordings to share as links.

What I would avoid for your use case

OBS Studio is excellent, but if you're specifically trying to avoid complicated routing, it's probably not the first thing I'd recommend. It's much more configurable than you need.

Likewise, on Mac, solutions involving BlackHole, Soundflower, Loopback, or Aggregate Devices can work extremely well, but they're exactly the kind of audio-routing setup you're trying to avoid.

So, if you tell me whether you're on Windows 10/11 or macOS, I can give you the simplest “install → check this one box → record browser + all app audio” setup.

Yes. If your priority is “I don’t want to mess with virtual audio cables, mixers, or routing,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My picks

• Loom — probably the easiest overall. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, while the Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. You essentially turn on “Use system audio” and record. Atlassian Support
• Clipchamp — a good choice if you're on Windows 11. It can record a browser tab/window/screen and provides an option to include system audio. Microsoft Support
• CapScreen — an interesting newer, very simple option. It runs in the browser and says it can capture system audio + microphone without installing anything, including on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Capscreen
• OBS Studio — excellent and free, but I would not recommend it for a non-technical user if simplicity is the goal. On Windows it can capture individual applications, but there are considerably more settings to deal with. OBS Project

The important Mac vs. Windows distinction

If you're on Windows, this is relatively easy: modern Windows supports application/system audio capture, and tools like OBS can access it directly. OBS Project

If you're on Mac, historically this has been the annoying part because macOS didn't expose system audio straightforwardly. However, newer apps are getting much better at handling it themselves. OBS, for example, can capture desktop/application audio natively on macOS 13+ with its newer audio capture source. OBS Project

If you tell me whether you're on Windows 10/11 or Mac (and which version), I can give you the simplest 1-click-ish option and exactly how to set it up.

Yes. If your main requirement is “record whatever I hear from the browser/apps, without messing with virtual audio cables or OBS routing,” there are much easier options.

The best choice depends heavily on whether you're on Windows or Mac:

• Windows: Camtasia or Snagit are probably the easiest polished options. Windows has relatively good native system-audio support, so these can capture computer audio without the complicated BlackHole/virtual-cable setup you often see in tutorials. Techshali
• Mac: I'd look at Screen Studio or CleanShot X. Modern versions can capture system audio without requiring you to manually configure something like BlackHole. CursorClip
• Browser-only / simplest possible: Screen Recording App is interesting because it uses the browser's built-in audio capture rather than a virtual audio driver. It can capture system/tab audio plus your microphone, though it works best when you're recording through Chrome/Edge/Brave/Opera. Screen Recording App
• Loom: Very easy to use, but there's an important distinction: its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, while the Chrome extension is primarily for audio from the current browser tab. Atlassian Support
• ScreenPal: Easy interface and supports computer/system audio on both Windows and Mac, but system audio is a paid-plan feature. ScreenPal

What I would choose

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or Mac, I can narrow it down to 2–3 apps that genuinely meet all of these:

Record screen + browser audio + audio from other apps + microphone, with one simple “Record” button and no virtual audio cables/OBS routing.

I can also prioritize free, one-time purchase, or best/easiest regardless of price.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, press Record, and capture whatever my computer is playing”, you have several much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My picks

• loom.com — easiest overall.

Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, so you can record a browser, Zoom, Spotify, another app, etc. without setting up virtual audio routing. Atlassian Support Atlassian Support
Best for: a non-technical user who wants a simple Record → Stop workflow.

• screenpal.com — simple traditional recorder.

It can capture your screen, including browser/apps and their audio, and is available on Windows and Mac. ScreenPal
Best for: recording files locally and doing basic editing rather than primarily sharing recordings as links.

• obsproject.com — most capable, but not my first choice for you.

Modern OBS can capture application audio directly on Windows, and macOS 13+ has built-in desktop/application audio capture. OBS Studio OBS Studio
It's free and extremely powerful, but the interface and configuration are more complicated than you probably need.

If you're on a Mac

I'd particularly recommend Loom or another native Mac recorder, rather than messing with BlackHole/Soundflower/Loopback. Modern macOS gives recording apps much better access to system audio, and OBS itself notes that macOS 13+ can capture desktop or individual-application audio without the old virtual-driver setup. OBS Studio

One important distinction

If by “system audio” you mean:

“Record everything I hear — YouTube in Chrome, an app playing audio, a video call, notification sounds, etc.”

then you want desktop/system-audio capture, not merely “microphone audio” or “browser tab audio.”

For your specific requirement, I'd start with Loom. It is probably the closest match to “I don't want to understand audio routing; I just want to record my screen and the sound coming from the computer.”

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can give you the simplest 2-minute setup and tell you exactly which app I'd choose.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture whatever I hear from the browser/apps”, you can avoid OBS + BlackHole/Loopback/VoiceMeeter-style routing.

My picks

• loom.com — easiest overall. Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just the microphone. You enable “Use system audio” once and then record. It works on both Mac and Windows. Atlassian Support Loom
• screen.studio — best if you're on Mac. It can record system audio from all apps or selected apps, along with the screen, without making you build an audio-routing setup. It's particularly polished for tutorials/demos. Screen Studio
• techsmith.com — best traditional desktop recorder/editor. Its recorder has explicit System Audio and microphone toggles, so you don't have to configure virtual audio devices. TechSmith Support
• screenpal.com — inexpensive/simple alternative. It can capture your screen, computer programs, and audio and is designed for straightforward recording rather than complicated production. ScreenPal

If you're on a Mac

I'd choose Screen Studio if you want the nicest experience, or Loom if you want something more mainstream/free to start with.

The important distinction is that macOS traditionally makes system-audio capture awkward, which is why you see recommendations for BlackHole, Soundflower, Loopback, etc. But newer recording apps can use Apple's screen/audio capture APIs directly. support.apple.com

If you tell me Mac or Windows, and whether you want free / one-time purchase / subscription, I can narrow it down to the simplest 1–2 options for your exact use case.

Yes. If you want “click record and it captures browser/app sounds without messing with virtual cables or audio routing,” there are easier options than OBS.

The best choices depend on your computer:

Easiest for most non-technical users

Loom

• Very simple: open app → record → stop.
• Good for tutorials, demos, and sharing recordings.
• Captures microphone easily; system audio support depends on platform and capture mode.
• Better for sharing than for making high-quality local archives.

Camtasia

• Probably the most “normal person friendly” paid option.
• Records screen + system audio + microphone with minimal setup.
• Includes editing tools afterward.
• Good if you make training videos or presentations.

ScreenPal

• Simple interface and designed for non-technical users.
• Handles screen recording and narration without an OBS-style workflow.

If you want free and very simple

Browser-based recorders

Modern Chrome/Edge-based recorders can capture browser tab audio without installing audio drivers. For example, some browser recorders let you choose a tab/window and enable audio sharing directly in the browser prompt. Screen Recording App

This is easiest if your goal is:

• YouTube videos
• online classes
• browser demos
• recording a single website/tab

The limitation: capturing all app audio on the computer (Spotify + browser + another app, etc.) varies by operating system.

Windows: simplest “no routing” option

Xbox Game Bar

• Built into Windows 10/11.
• Press Win + G and record.
• Captures app/game audio easily.
• Very little setup.

For a more general-purpose recorder, some newer lightweight recorders use Windows audio capture directly rather than requiring OBS-style audio sources. Maxisnap

What I would avoid for your use case

OBS Studio

It is excellent, but it is built around:

• scenes
• sources
• audio mixers
• routing decisions

It is overkill if you just want “record what I see and hear.”

My recommendation

• Windows, easiest: Xbox Game Bar or Camtasia.
• Mac, easiest: Camtasia or Loom. (Mac system-audio capture has historically been more complicated because many apps require extra audio components.)
• Browser-only recording: use a Chrome/Edge recorder with built-in audio sharing. Screen Recording App
• Need professional-quality recordings but simple workflow: Camtasia.

If you tell me whether you’re on Windows or Mac and whether you need to capture one browser tab or all computer sounds from multiple apps, I can narrow it down.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, press Record, and capture whatever my browser/apps are playing”, you can avoid OBS and virtual-audio routing.

My picks

• Camtasia — best overall for a non-technical user. It has a simple System Audio toggle alongside Screen and Microphone. It can record system audio and your mic together, and TechSmith explicitly says system audio captures sounds from applications and the computer. TechSmith Support TechSmith

techsmith.com

• ScreenPal — easiest inexpensive option. It works on Windows and Mac, and its paid plans can record computer/system audio without you having to build an OBS-style audio setup. ScreenPal ScreenPal

screenpal.com

• If you're on Windows 11: I'd particularly lean toward Camtasia or ScreenPal. Windows makes system-audio capture comparatively straightforward, and you don't need to mess with virtual audio cables.
• If you're on a Mac: I'd still choose a recorder with built-in system-audio capture rather than trying to make QuickTime + BlackHole work. Camtasia supports system audio on Mac, although its Mac setup may require installing its audio component once. TechSmith Support

What I would not recommend for you

OBS Studio is excellent and free, but if “no complicated routing” is the requirement, it's probably the wrong first choice. It's designed to expose lots of audio/video configuration rather than hide it.

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can narrow this down to the simplest 1–2 options, including whether they capture Chrome/Edge/Firefox + other apps simultaneously, and whether there's a good free option.

Yes. For a non-technical user, you’ll want something that captures system audio directly (browser sounds, app sounds, videos, meetings, etc.) without making you set up virtual cables like BlackHole, Loopback, VB-Audio Cable, or OBS audio routing.

The easiest options:

Easiest overall: Camtasia

• Very beginner-friendly.
• Records screen + computer audio + microphone with a simple checkbox.
• Good if you want to edit afterward (cut mistakes, add arrows/text).
• Paid, but probably the least frustrating option for a non-technical person.

Simple free option: OBS Studio (with the right setup)

• Powerful and free.
• On Windows, it can capture desktop audio fairly easily.
• On Mac, it usually requires extra audio setup, so it is not my first choice for your use case.

One-click browser-based recorders

These can be very simple because modern browsers can capture tab/system audio without traditional routing. For example:

• screenrecording.app — designed around capturing system sound and microphone together without virtual audio drivers. Screen Recording App
• clipcast.tech — focuses on browser/tab recording with audio included. ClipCast

These are especially good if the thing you want to record is:

• YouTube/video in a browser
• a web meeting
• an online class
• a browser demo

If you use a Mac

This is the tricky case. Many built-in Mac tools (like QuickTime screen recording) do not capture system audio by themselves. Some apps avoid the old virtual-cable approach, but capabilities vary depending on whether you need:

• only browser audio
• all Mac app audio
• microphone + system audio together

A beginner-friendly paid Mac option is usually easier than trying to configure free tools.

My recommendation by situation

• Windows + want the easiest: Camtasia or a simple browser recorder.
• Mac + want “just works”: Camtasia or another dedicated recorder that includes its own audio capture.
• Only recording Chrome/Edge tabs: a browser recorder is probably the simplest.
• Recording games or many apps: OBS is better, but it has a learning curve.

If you tell me whether you’re on Windows or Mac and whether you need to record all app sounds or just browser audio, I can narrow it down to the simplest choice.

Yes. If you want “click record → capture my screen + browser/app audio” without learning audio routing, there are a few good options. The best choice depends on whether you’re on Windows or Mac, because system audio capture is much easier on Windows.

Easiest options for non-technical users

My top picks

1. Camtasia — probably the least frustrating

• Record screen, app windows, browser tabs, and computer audio.
• No virtual cables or audio routing.
• Built-in editing afterward.
• Good if you’re making tutorials or saving meetings/classes.
• Paid, but very beginner-friendly.

2. ScreenPal — simple and lightweight

• Designed for “record and share.”
• Captures narration and system sounds without needing OBS-style setup.

3. OBS Studio — free but not the simplest

• Excellent once configured.
• On Windows it can capture desktop audio fairly easily.
• The complexity comes from scenes, sources, mixers, and filters.

4. Browser recorder (surprisingly simple)
Tools like browser-based screen recorders can use Chrome/Edge’s built-in capture permissions. For example, some allow you to choose a tab or screen and enable audio sharing without installing drivers. screenrecording.app

Important Mac note

If you’re on macOS, many traditional recorders require extra audio components (virtual audio drivers) to capture all system sound from apps. Some newer browser-based approaches can avoid that in certain cases, but support varies. screenrecording.app

If you just want my recommendation:

• Windows: try Camtasia (paid/easiest) or a simple recorder like Maxisnap (designed as an OBS alternative with automatic system audio capture). maxisnap.com
• Mac: try Camtasia or ScreenPal first; avoid OBS unless you’re willing to spend time setting it up.
• Free + occasional use: a Chrome/Edge browser recorder is worth trying. screenrecording.app

If you tell me Windows or Mac and whether you need to record YouTube/browser audio, Zoom calls, games, or any app sound, I can narrow it down to the simplest choice.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture whatever I hear from browser tabs and apps”, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My picks

Loom is probably what I'd try first. Its desktop app has a simple “Use system audio” option and can capture sound from applications on your computer, while its Chrome extension can capture audio from the current browser tab. support.atlassian.com

Snagit is another particularly good non-technical choice. It explicitly supports recording system audio + microphone, and you can simply toggle System Audio on before recording. support.techsmith.com

If you're on Mac, Screen Studio is worth a look because it can capture system audio from all apps or selected apps, without requiring you to construct an audio-routing setup. screen.studio

One important distinction

If you mean:

“I want to record anything my computer is playing, regardless of whether it's Chrome, Spotify, VLC, Zoom, etc.”

then I'd choose Loom Desktop or Snagit, rather than a browser-only recorder.

If you mean:

“I mainly want to record YouTube/websites and occasionally include their audio.”

then a browser recorder can be ridiculously simple—Chrome/Edge's screen-sharing mechanism can provide the tab's audio directly, with no virtual audio cable. screenrecording.app

I would avoid OBS, BlackHole, VoiceMeeter, Loopback, etc. for your stated use case unless you eventually need sophisticated mixing/routing. They solve a harder problem than you need.

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can give you the single simplest option and exactly what to click to record browser + app audio.

Yes. If your goal is “record my screen and whatever sound the computer is playing—browser, apps, videos, etc.—without messing with virtual audio cables,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My picks

• Windows: Loom Desktop — probably the easiest. Its desktop app has a “Use system audio” option that captures audio from applications on the computer, so you don't have to create virtual audio devices or route sound manually. Atlassian Support

loom.com

• Mac: Screen Studio — my strongest recommendation for a non-technical Mac user. It can record system audio from all apps or a selected app directly, with no BlackHole/Loopback-style routing. Screen Studio Screen Studio

screen.studio

• Windows: OBS Studio — free and very capable, but not my first choice for a non-technical person. Windows can capture application audio directly, but OBS has a much more complicated interface than the dedicated recorders above. OBS Studio OBS Studio

obsproject.com

If you're on a Mac

I'd choose Screen Studio if you want the least hassle. On modern macOS (Ventura 13+), it can simply capture the computer's audio or audio from a particular app. Screen Studio

That's substantially easier than the traditional OBS + BlackHole approach. OBS itself documents that older/traditional Mac setups may require additional audio-routing software, although newer versions of macOS have improved built-in capture. OBS Studio OBS Studio

If you're on Windows

Loom Desktop is worth trying first if you want something dead simple. Turn on Use system audio, start recording, and it can capture sound coming from other applications. Atlassian Support

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or Mac, and whether you need microphone + system audio simultaneously, I can give you the simplest “install this → click these 2 things → record” option.

Yes. If you’re on a Mac, there are now several options that avoid the old BlackHole/Loopback/Audio MIDI routing mess. The best choice depends on how simple you want it.

My picks for a non-technical user

1. Screen Studio — probably the best overall

• Records your screen plus system audio.
• Can capture audio from all apps or only selected apps.
• Also handles microphone/webcam.
• The system-audio setup is built into the app rather than requiring you to create virtual audio devices. screen.studio
• Very polished, but it's a paid product.

Screen Studio

2. CleanShot X — excellent if you also want screenshots

• Very easy screen recording interface.
• Explicitly supports Mac computer audio + microphone.
• Great if you want one everyday capture utility rather than a complicated production tool. cleanshot.com

CleanShot X

3. Cap — worth trying if you want free/simple

• Designed specifically to make Mac screen recording with internal audio easy.
• Its current Mac workflow is essentially: select what to record → enable system audio → record.
• It doesn't require BlackHole or Terminal according to its current documentation. cap.so

Cap

If you're on Windows

OBS Studio is actually much easier on Windows than on Mac for this particular task. Windows exposes system-audio capture directly, and OBS can capture individual applications as well. obsproject.com

OBS Studio

One important distinction

If what you mean is:

"I want to record Chrome/Edge/Firefox, Zoom, VLC, Spotify, etc., including their sound, while I continue hearing the sound normally."

then yes — you absolutely don't need to learn audio routing anymore, particularly on modern macOS. Apps using Apple's newer ScreenCaptureKit can capture system/app audio directly. obsproject.com

I'd personally start with Screen Studio or Cap on a Mac, and OBS on Windows.

If you tell me Mac or Windows (and your OS version), I can narrow it down to the simplest 1–2 choices and tell you exactly what the recording process looks like.

Yes. If you’re on Windows, there are now several options that capture browser + app/system audio without virtual cables or complicated routing. If you’re on Mac, the choice matters more.

My picks for a non-technical user

Windows: I'd look at Maxisnap first if you want a lightweight recorder. It uses Windows' built-in audio loopback, so there is no virtual audio cable or routing setup. It can record system audio and microphone together. maxisnap.com

Mac: Cap looks particularly well suited to what you're describing. It can capture Mac system audio and microphone without making you install BlackHole or configure Audio MIDI Setup. cap.so

OBS Studio is excellent and free, but I'd not choose it for a non-technical person unless you need its more advanced capabilities. On Windows it can capture individual applications directly, but some applications can still require virtual-audio routing. obsproject.com

One important distinction

If you mean:

"I want to record whatever I'm hearing from Chrome/Edge AND other apps at the same time, while also optionally recording my microphone."

then Windows is considerably easier. Modern Windows recorders can capture the computer's audio output directly. On Mac, you want a recorder that specifically has built-in system-audio capture, rather than something that tells you to install BlackHole.

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or Mac, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 simplest options, including which ones are free and whether they record multiple apps simultaneously.

Yes. If your goal is “record whatever I’m seeing, including sound from Chrome and other apps, without learning audio routing,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My top picks

1. Loom — easiest overall

• Works on Windows and Mac.
• Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, not just your microphone. support.atlassian.comscreen.studio
• Very simple interface: choose screen → enable Use system audio → record.
• Good if you want to record tutorials, meetings, browser videos, software demonstrations, etc.
• Downside: Loom is cloud-oriented and requires an account.

Loom official site

2. Screen Recording App — simplest if you don't want to install anything

• Runs in the browser.
• Claims to capture system sound + microphone together on Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS.
• No virtual audio driver or complicated routing. screenrecording.app
• Particularly appealing if you just want to make a recording and save the resulting file locally.

Screen Recording App

3. Screen Studio — excellent if you're on a Mac

• Designed specifically around making screen recording easy.
• Can record system audio from all apps or selected apps, microphone, and webcam. screen.studio
• Much friendlier than OBS, particularly for polished tutorials/demos.
• It's Mac-only.

Screen Studio

What I'd avoid for your use case

OBS Studio is excellent, but I'd not recommend it if your priority is “non-technical.” It's extremely configurable, but that flexibility is exactly what makes audio setup more complicated. On modern Mac versions it can capture desktop/app audio directly, but there are still more settings to deal with. obsproject.com

One important distinction

If you mean:

“I want one recorder that captures audio from Chrome, YouTube, Zoom, Teams, Spotify, other Windows/Mac apps, etc., without creating virtual audio devices.”

then Loom Desktop is probably the first one I'd try on Windows, while Screen Studio is my first choice on Mac.

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or Mac, I can narrow it down to the simplest 1–2 options and tell you exactly what to click to get system audio working.

Yes. If your main requirement is “record whatever I hear from the browser/apps, without messing with virtual audio devices or complicated routing,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My top picks

If you're on a Mac:

1. CleanShot X — easiest overall
   • Records your screen plus Mac system audio.
   • Can record microphone and computer audio.
   • Very simple workflow: select area → enable computer audio → record.
   • Particularly good if you just want to record YouTube/browser audio, app sounds, demonstrations, etc. cleanshot.com
   • My choice for a non-technical user.

2. Screen Studio — easiest if you want polished recordings
   • Can record system audio from all apps or selected apps.
   • No fiddling with audio routing; you choose the app(s) whose sound you want.
   • Also automatically adds nice zooms/cursor effects, which is great for tutorials. screen.studio

3. Snagit — good Mac + Windows choice
   • Records system audio and microphone audio.
   • Very straightforward screen → record → trim workflow.
   • Works on both Windows and Mac. www.techsmith.com

If you're on Windows: I'd lean toward Snagit. It explicitly supports recording system audio—the sound coming from applications/websites—alongside your microphone. support.techsmith.com

What I'd avoid for your use case

OBS Studio is excellent and free, but it's overkill if your goal is simply “record my screen and whatever audio the computer is playing.” It can absolutely do this—Windows even has per-application audio capture—but its interface and configuration are considerably more technical. obsproject.com

One important distinction

If you mean:

“I want to record Chrome/YouTube/Spotify/Zoom/etc. and capture the sound those apps are producing, while optionally also recording my microphone.”

Then yes, absolutely—the apps above are designed for that.

If you tell me Mac or Windows (and ideally the OS version), I can give you the single simplest app and exactly what you'd click to set it up.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture the sound coming from the browser/apps without messing with virtual cables,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My top picks

1. Loom — probably the easiest overall

Loom

Loom's desktop app can capture system audio from any application, not just a browser tab. You enable “Use system audio” in its settings, then record. support.atlassian.com

• ✅ Browser audio
• ✅ Audio from other Windows/Mac apps
• ✅ Can record microphone at the same time
• ✅ Very simple interface
• ✅ No OBS-style audio routing
• ⚠️ Some features/limits depend on the plan

2. ScreenPal — excellent if you want a traditional screen recorder

ScreenPal

ScreenPal has a straightforward Computer Audio option for Windows and Mac. It can record your screen and the computer's generated audio without requiring you to build an OBS audio setup. support.screenpal.com

The catch: system-audio recording is a paid feature, while the free version has a 15-minute-per-video limit. screenpal.com

3. A browser-based recorder — simplest if you don't want to install anything

There are newer browser recorders that use Chrome/Edge's built-in screen-sharing audio capture. One example claims to capture system audio + microphone simultaneously without a virtual audio driver, including audio from apps selected through the browser's screen picker. screenrecording.app

That's particularly interesting on Mac, where traditional system-audio recording has historically been much more annoying.

What I'd choose

One important distinction: if you mean “I want to record anything that comes out of my computer speakers—Chrome, Spotify, another application, etc.—and have it automatically included”, I'd lean toward Loom's desktop app, rather than a Chrome extension. Loom explicitly says its desktop app captures system audio from applications on the device. support.atlassian.comsupport.screenpal.comscreenpal.com

If you tell me whether you're on Windows 10/11 or Mac, I can give you the simplest option and exact 3–5 clicks to set it up, with no virtual cables or complicated routing.

Yes. If your priority is “install it, click Record, and capture what I hear from the browser/apps,” there are much easier options than OBS.

My top picks

1. Loom — easiest overall

• Works on Windows and Mac.
• Its desktop app has a “Use system audio” option that captures sound from applications on your computer. support.atlassian.com
• For browser-only recording, the Chrome extension can capture the audio from the current tab.
• Very little audio-routing knowledge required.

Loom screen recorder

2. Screen Recording App — simplest if you don't want to install anything

• Runs in a Chromium browser.
• Can capture browser/tab audio without virtual audio cables or routing.
• It can record system audio + microphone together. screenrecording.app
• Particularly attractive if most of what you want to record is Chrome/Edge content.

Screen Recording App

3. OBS Studio — powerful, but I'd avoid it for a non-technical user

• On Windows, OBS can capture audio from individual applications directly. obsproject.com
• On newer macOS versions it can also capture desktop/application audio. obsproject.com
• But OBS exposes a lot of settings and edge cases, so it's overkill if you simply want “record my screen and whatever I'm hearing.”

OBS Studio

One important distinction

If by “browser and apps” you mean:

“I want to record Chrome playing a video, then switch to Spotify/another app, and have the recording continue capturing the computer's sound.”

I'd choose Loom's desktop app rather than a browser-only recorder. Loom specifically says its desktop app captures system audio from applications. support.atlassian.com

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can give you the simplest option and exactly what to click to get system audio working, without getting into virtual cables or complicated routing.

Yes. If your priority is “press record and capture whatever I’m hearing from the browser/apps” without messing with virtual audio cables or routing, there are much easier options than OBS.

My picks

If you're on Windows: I'd start with Loom or even the built-in Xbox Game Bar. Game Bar can capture an app/browser with system audio without setting up audio routing. www.reddit.com

If you're on Mac: I'd lean toward ScreenFlow or another modern recorder that uses Apple's screen-capture audio APIs. The old “install BlackHole/Soundflower and create a multi-output device” approach is exactly the complicated routing you're trying to avoid. Modern Mac recorders can capture system audio directly. www.screenify.studio

Interesting free option: Screen Recording App runs in Chrome/Edge and can capture browser/app audio + microphone without installing a virtual audio driver. You simply enable audio in the browser's screen-sharing dialog. screenrecording.app

One important distinction

If you mean:

“I want to record anything playing through my computer speakers/headphones, whether it's Chrome, Edge, Spotify, Zoom, VLC, another application, etc.”

that's slightly different from:

“I want to record a particular browser tab.”

The second is generally easier, particularly in a browser-based recorder.

If you tell me Windows 10/11 or Mac, and whether you need microphone + system audio simultaneously, I can give you the simplest 1–2 choices and exactly how to set them up—without OBS-style routing.

Yes. If your goal is “record what I see and hear from a browser or app, without messing with audio routing”, there are much easier options than OBS.

My top picks for a non-technical user:

1. Loom — easiest overall

Loom

• Very beginner-friendly: press record, choose screen/window, go.
• Good for tutorials, demos, meetings, explaining something.
• Captures microphone easily; system audio support depends on platform and setup.
• Best if you want to share recordings with a link rather than edit videos.

2. Screen Studio — easiest polished Mac option

Screen Studio

• Designed for non-video editors.
• Automatically makes recordings look polished (zoom effects, cursor emphasis).
• Very simple workflow.
• Great for app demos and tutorials.
• On macOS, system audio capture is much easier than with traditional tools.

3. Browser-based recorders — simplest “click and record”

Some browser tools can capture screen + system audio without installing drivers, especially in Chrome/Edge. For example, browser recorders advertise system audio capture through the screen-sharing picker rather than virtual audio cables. screenrecord.inscreenrecording.app

Good for:

• YouTube/browser video capture
• software walkthroughs
• quick clips

The catch: browser support varies. Chrome/Edge usually work better than Firefox for internal audio capture. screenrecord.inscreenrecording.app

4. Camtasia — easiest “professional” option

Camtasia

• Very friendly interface.
• Records screen + system audio + mic.
• Includes editing tools.
• Good if you need to make training videos.

What I would avoid for your use case

• OBS Studio: excellent, but it often requires configuring sources, audio devices, and routing. It is better when you need streaming or advanced control. recorder.easeus.com
• Audio-routing tools like BlackHole, Loopback, VB-Cable, etc., unless you specifically need advanced setups.

Simple recommendation:

• Windows: try Camtasia or Loom.
• Mac: try Screen Studio first.
• Free/no install: use a Chrome-based browser recorder that supports “share system audio.” screenrecord.inscreenrecording.app

If you tell me whether you’re on Windows or Mac and whether you need to record YouTube/browser audio, Zoom/Teams calls, or any app sound, I can narrow it to one choice.

Yes. If your priority is “non-technical and just works,” I’d avoid OBS and virtual audio cables.

My picks

1. Loom — easiest overall

• Works on Windows and Mac.
• Its desktop app can capture system audio from applications, so browser audio and sounds from other apps can be recorded without setting up a virtual audio mixer. support.atlassian.comsupport.techsmith.com
• Very simple: choose what to record → enable Use system audio → Record.
• Best if you want something that feels like a normal consumer app rather than recording software.

Loom

2. Snagit — easiest if you want local recordings

• Available for Windows and Mac.
• Explicitly supports recording system audio from applications and websites, as well as your microphone. support.techsmith.com
• More traditional desktop software than Loom, and particularly nice if you want to save/edit recordings rather than primarily share them through links.

Snagit

3. OBS Studio — powerful, but I'd skip it for your use case

• It can absolutely capture browser/app audio, including per-application audio on Windows. obsproject.com
• On newer Macs it can capture desktop/app audio too. support.techsmith.comobsproject.com
• But there's considerably more configuration and terminology. It's fantastic once you want advanced control, but not my recommendation for “I just want to press Record.”

OBS Studio

One important distinction

If you mean:

“Record whatever audio my computer is currently playing, whether it comes from Chrome, Safari, Zoom, Spotify, VLC, etc., with no audio routing.”

I'd choose Loom or Snagit, rather than OBS.

If you tell me Mac or Windows, I can narrow it down to the easiest option and tell you exactly what the setup looks like (usually 2–3 clicks).

Yes. If by “system audio” you mean the sound coming from Chrome/Edge, YouTube, Zoom, games, and other apps, there are much easier options than OBS + virtual audio cables.

My picks for a non-technical user

If you're on a Mac: I'd look hardest at Screen Studio. It can capture audio from all apps or specifically selected apps, without making you build an audio-routing setup. screen.studio

If you're on Windows: Snagit is a particularly straightforward choice; its video recorder has an explicit “Record System Audio” option for sounds from applications and websites. www.techsmith.com

If you want free: there's also a surprisingly simple browser-based approach. Screen Recording App claims to capture internal audio from Chrome/Edge/Brave/Opera without virtual drivers, on both Windows and Mac. You select the screen/tab and enable audio in the browser's sharing dialog. screenrecording.app

One important distinction

If you want:

“Record whatever sound my computer is currently making, regardless of which app it comes from.”

I'd recommend a native screen recorder with built-in system-audio capture, rather than a browser recorder. That's especially true if you want to record arbitrary desktop applications.

If you tell me Windows or Mac, I can give you the simplest 1–2 options and exactly how the recording works, with no OBS/virtual-cable nonsense.

Yes. If you want “click record and it just captures what I hear from the browser/apps” without dealing with virtual audio cables, mixers, or OBS routing, there are a few good options.

Easiest choices for non-technical users

My recommendations

1. For the simplest “record anything on my computer” experience:

• Camtasia is probably the least frustrating. It is designed for regular users making tutorials, demos, and training videos. www.techsmith.com

2. For quick browser/app recordings with almost no setup:

• Riverside screen recorder — lets you choose screen, microphone, and system sound in a few clicks. riverside.com
• Tella screen recorder — aimed at simple recordings with system audio and easy editing. www.tella.com

3. If you mostly record Chrome/Edge tabs:
A browser-based recorder is often the easiest because Chrome/Edge can provide tab audio directly. Tools such as Screen Recording App use the browser’s built-in audio capture instead of requiring audio routing. screenrecording.app

What I would avoid for your use case

• OBS Studio: excellent, free, and powerful, but it often feels overwhelming because you have to think about sources, scenes, audio mixers, and routing.
• QuickTime on Mac: simple for video, but system audio usually requires extra audio-driver setup. snipclip.app

A couple of questions would narrow it down:

1. Are you on Windows or Mac?
2. Do you want to record all computer sounds (YouTube, apps, notifications, etc.) or just one browser tab/app?
3. Do you need to record your microphone voice too?