AceThinker Recorder
Soundflower is a popular open-source virtual audio routing software designed for Mac users. It lets you route audio from one application to another, making it easier to record system sounds or mix audio between different apps. However, many users experience compatibility issues, especially with newer macOS versions. Moreover, Soundflower hasn’t received regular updates, which can cause problems for those using the latest operating systems. Additionally, Windows users can’t use Soundflower since it’s only available for Mac. With that said, people often look for other tools that offer similar or even better performance. Fortunately, there are several reliable Soundflower alternative tools available today. These options not only work smoothly on both Mac and Windows but also provide easier setup and better stability. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best alternatives to help you record and manage audio efficiently.
| Sections | Brief Information |
|---|---|
| List of Soundflower Replacement Tools for Recording Audio | Check out the alternative audio routing and audio recorder for Soundflower |
| Soundflower vs. Alternative Tools | Comparison Chart | A chart that points out various features of Soundflower and its alternative tools |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Questions with answers about Soundflower |
| Conclusion | Recap the solutions and final thoughts about the topic |
List of Soundflower Replacement Tools for Recording Audio
1. Aqua Demo
The first solution we present to you as an alternative to Soundflower is Aqua Demo. Aqua Demo is known for its recording reliability in different aspects. Aside from being a video recorder that allows you to record screens with audio on both Mac and Windows, this tool also features an audio recorder. Compared to other recording tools that require audio routing, such as Soundflower, this tool does not. Without a third-party tool, it can record audio from your system as well as from a microphone. Moreover, Aqua Demo also supports recording audio simultaneously easily and without issues. Additionally, this recording tool offers high-quality audio output, supporting up to 320 kbps audio bitrate and high-quality formats such as MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and more.
- Aqua Demo offers microphone noise cancellation and enhancement, allowing you to capture clear audio recordings ideal for creating podcasts or voiceovers.
- The tool also comes with an iSuper Virtual Audio Device (built-in speaker) that you can install to enhance your audio recording experience.
- The only disadvantage of this tool is that it's not totally free. Although you can use it for free, the features are limited, such as the recording time limit.
2. BlackHole
The next on the list that can serve as a Soundflower alternative is BlackHole. Like Soundflower, BlackHole is an audio routing software that helps you record audio from your macOS device. It lets you choose versions with 2, 16, 64, and more audio channels, depending on your needs, which is useful for recording audio from multiple sources. Likewise, the tool supports a wide range of sample rates, like 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz, and even 352.8/384 kHz in some builds. So if you’re doing high-quality audio recording or routing for music production or streaming, you won’t be limited by sample-rate constraints. Furthermore, the major advantage of BlackHole over Soundflower is that BlackHole is modern, actively maintained, and built for current macOS versions, including Apple Silicon. In contrast, Soundflower is older, based on deprecated APIs, and often runs into compatibility issues.
- BlackHole is designed to transfer audio between apps almost instantly, without introducing any noticeable delay, which is ideal for live streaming or recording.
- Unlike some older virtual audio drivers, this software does not rely on legacy kernel extensions (kexts), which are being phased out in modern macOS versions.
- BlackHole doesn’t have a visual control panel, so you need to set it up through the macOS Audio MIDI Setup, which can be confusing for beginners.
3. iShowU Audio Capture
Another audio routing software you can utilize as a Mac Soundflower alternative is iShowU Audio Capture, which serves as a virtual audio driver. With this tool, you can capture internal sounds from your Mac device. Aside from that, you can also use iShow with screen recording software like OBS if you want to record the screen with system audio simultaneously. Furthermore, iShowU Audio Capture automatically switches and restores your audio output only when needed, avoiding unexpected sound issues. At the same time, Soundflower requires manual setup and more troubleshooting. Additionally, the tool enables smoother volume adjustments during recording, ensuring that your volume up/down keys and system volume behave more appropriately when using the virtual device. Plus, this software restores your default audio output device even if the app crashes or stops, ensuring you’re less likely to experience no sound or incorrect output.
- If you switch Macs’ workspaces or log into another user account, iShowU will continue to manage the audio output device for you automatically. Meaning, you don’t have to reconfigure your audio device every time you shift between users or desktops.
- It can effortlessly record audio from any macOS app, such as a media player, web browser, or GarageBand, while simultaneously capturing audio from your microphone.
- It doesn’t always work smoothly with newer macOS versions, especially on Macs with Apple Silicon or recent updates.
4. VoiceMeeter Banana
VoiceMeeter Banana is known as a free virtual audio mixer software for Windows. It allows you to manage multiple hardware audio inputs, such as microphones and instruments, as well as virtual inputs, including system sounds and applications, simultaneously. When compared to Soundflower, this application supports advanced audio effects, multi-channel routing, professional interface standards (such as ASIO), and built-in recording, which Soundflower does not offer. Additionally, VoiceMetter Banana includes built-in tools such as parametric equalizers, compressors, gates, and special effects to shape and control the sound of your audio. That means you can clean up microphone noise, balance background music and voice, and apply creative effects all from within the mixer. Aside from audio routing, it also features an audio recorder that lets you capture your mix directly and export it in formats such as WAV, MP3, and AIFF.
- You can record multi-channel audio (more than just stereo) and capture audio from pre- or post-fader signals for advanced production uses.
- VoiceMeeter Banana supports sending and receiving audio streams across a local network using the VBAN protocol, enabling you to route audio between multiple computers or devices.
- Many users find it difficult to set up VoiceMeeter Banana, and it can take quite some time to solve setup issues.
5. Audacity
Unlike Soundflower, which only routes audio, Audacity lets you record, edit, and enhance your audio in one place. It allows you to capture and edit multiple audio tracks simultaneously, such as vocals, background music, and sound effects, making it perfect for creating podcasts, songs, or detailed audio projects. Aside from that, you can use Audacity to record live audio directly from your microphone, such as your voice, musical instruments, or any external sound source. It can also capture system sound, like music or audio playing from your computer, if you adjust your device settings or use a virtual audio driver like BlackHole. Additionally, this recording tool features built-in effects, including noise reduction, equalization, reverb, and pitch correction. These tools help you clean up your recordings and make them sound more professional.
- The recording tool allows you to import and export files in popular formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, and OGG.
- Audacity is completely free to download and use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions. Additionally, because it’s open-source, it’s regularly updated and improved by a community of developers.
- The interface design is outdated and can feel confusing for beginners who are used to modern editing tools.
6. Audio Hijack
The next Soundflower alternative for Mac is Audio Hijack. It is a recording tool that allows you to capture audio from any app on your Mac, such as a web browser, music player, or voice-chat program. Aside from that, the tool also supports recording audio from the microphone. You can easily select your built-in or external microphone as one of the audio sources in the app. It also allows you to record your voice alone or combine it with system audio, perfect for recording podcasts, interviews, or video calls. Furthermore, Audio Hijack offers both routing and recording, as well as processing and editing features. At the same time, Soundflower is primarily a simple virtual audio driver that enables routing but doesn’t handle recording with effects or scheduled tasks. Additionally, the app is updated regularly and supports the latest macOS versions.
- The software offers numerous built-in audio effects, including EQ, compression, noise removal, and ducking, which can be inserted into the audio path during recording.
- Audio Hijack supports scheduled recordings, automatic start/stop, and broadcasting to live-stream platforms or internet radio servers.
- ons;
When adding multiple effects or recording several sources at once, it can slow down older Macs.
7. AceThinker Online Audio Recorder
If you are using an older Mac desktop computer or laptop, this online audio recorder is perfect for you. This web-based audio recorder enables you to record system audio and microphone sound simultaneously, eliminating the need for third-party tools like audio routing software. Besides, you can do an unlimited recording, which is perfect for any audio recording you need to do, like podcasts, voice-overs, music recordings, and more. Plus, there’s no strict time limit for how long you can record, so you can keep going as long as you need. Compared to Soundflower, which is only for audio routing, this AceThinker Online Audio Recorder allows you to record audio from your computer without any complicated setup.
- You can access this tool using your preferred browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and others.
- The online tool also offers a simple library to manage your recordings, and you can add metadata, such as title and artist.
- Although the tool is web-based, it requires you to install a launcher to use it, which means it’s not fully “no-install” as advertised.
8. Loopback
Loopback is an audio routing tool for macOS, similar to Soundflower. With Loopback, you get a user-friendly visual interface, featuring "wires" that connect sources to devices, simplifying complex routing. In contrast, Soundflower often requires more manual setup and lacks the visual convenience. Likewise, the tool enables you to capture audio from both applications and physical devices, such as microphones or USB audio interfaces. You can merge these sources into one virtual device, so apps that only accept "one input device" still get all the sound you want. Additionally, if you're going to route music from a media player to a streaming app without editing, you can do so quickly. Furthermore, you can set up virtual audio devices with multiple output channels, even up to 64 channels in some configurations, and control how each channel is mapped, making it perfect for streaming, production, or combining multiple inputs/outputs for separate tracks.
- Once set up, the virtual devices created by Loopback appear in macOS as regular audio devices. You can select them in any app, just like a normal microphone or speaker.
- It also allows you to monitor what your virtual device is doing and adjust individual source volumes, the virtual device's volume, and output volumes.
- The tool is expensive, which can be a barrier, especially for users who only need basic audio routing.
Soundflower vs. Alternative Tools | Comparison Chart
| Tool | Price | macOS Compatibility | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundflower | Free | Older macOS | Moderate | Simple audio routing on older Macs. |
| Aqua Demo | $19.35 for 1 month $29.95/year $42.95 lifetime |
macOS 10.10 or later | Easy | For screen + audio capture on Mac/Windows. |
| BlackHole | Free / open-source | macOS 10.10+ (Intel) & Apple Silicon versions | Moderate | Routing system audio and app audio on Mac. |
| iShowU Audio Capture | Free (driver) | Limited on newer OS versions | Moderate | Capturing audio on Mac for screen-recording setups. |
| VoiceMeeter Banana | Free to use (donationware) | Not supported | Complex | Advanced multi-input/output routing on Windows. |
| Audacity | Free, open-source | Supported | Moderate | Audio editing/recording, multi-track work across platforms. |
| Audio Hijack | Starts around $59- $94 one-time payment | Recent versions supported | High | Advanced audio capture, effects, scheduled recordings on Mac. |
| AceThinker Online Audio Recorder | Free | Supported | Very easy | Quick online audio recording from mic/system. |
| Loopback | Free for audio routing | Supports current Mac systems | High | Virtual audio device creation and complex routing on Mac. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soundflower still safe to use?
Yes, Soundflower is still generally safe to use as long as you get it from a trusted source. However, it’s no longer actively updated or supported by developers. As a result, it may not function properly on the latest macOS versions or may cause system issues.
Is there any risk in using an outdated version of Soundflower?
Yes, using an outdated version of Soundflower can cause compatibility problems with newer macOS updates. It might also lead to audio glitches, crashes, or security risks. Therefore, to avoid these issues, it’s better to switch to a modern and well-supported alternative.
Which alternative works best for macOS Sonoma?
For macOS Sonoma, tools like BlackHole or Loopback are the best alternatives to Soundflower. They offer smooth performance, regular updates, and are fully compatible with the latest macOS. These tools also provide an easier setup and better stability for the recording system audio.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Soundflower was once a popular choice for routing audio on Mac, it may no longer work smoothly for everyone due to compatibility issues and a lack of updates. As macOS continues to evolve, users often face installation errors or limited support. Fortunately, there are now many great alternatives to meet different recording and routing needs. For instance, BlackHole and iShowU Audio Capture are ideal for simple and free audio routing, while Audio Hijack and Loopback offer powerful tools for advanced audio control and manipulation. Meanwhile, if you prefer quick and easy recording, AceThinker Online Audio Recorder or Aqua Demo are great choices. In short, the best Soundflower alternative depends on your goal, whether you want to capture basic sound or create complex audio setups for streaming, recording, or professional production.
As far as I know, Soundflower has not been updated since Big Sur and was never updated for Apple Silicon.
