ChatGPT answers, unedited

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?