5 Best Screen Recorders with Audio in 2026: Which One Is Easiest to Use?

Have you ever recorded a tutorial video, only to find there's no sound when you play it back? Your speakers are on, your recording software is open, but nothing was captured.

This is actually the most common pitfall in computer screen recording. The built-in features on Windows and Mac only record the screen by default; audio requires additional setup. Many people hit this issue on their first try.

This article covers 5 ways to record your computer screen along with audio, from no-install online tools to built-in system shortcuts—all tested. I'll walk you through the steps, pros and cons of each, and which one suits your needs best.

What Can Screen Recording with Audio Do for You?

Recording without audio is like watching a silent film—often useless. Here are some scenarios you'll definitely recognize:

Scenario 1: Recording online meetings An important online meeting comes up suddenly, and you want to record the whole thing for reference. If you only capture the screen without audio, it's pointless. Built-in tools with the right settings can handle this easily.

Scenario 2: Creating tutorial videos You want to record a software tutorial, narrating as you go, but you end up with only the screen and no voiceover. You need a method that captures both system audio and microphone.

Scenario 3: Recording online courses or live streams You're taking a paid online course and can't keep up with notes, so you want to record it for later review. Without audio, you're just staring at a silent screen.

All these situations have solutions, and most are free. Let's go through them one by one.

5 Ways to Record Screen with Audio

Method 1: Online Tools—Fastest, No Installation

If you don't want to install any software, online screen recorders are your best bet. Just open your browser and go. Many now support capturing system audio and microphone.

I tested several, and found that DiReec Free Online Screen Recorder offers the best experience. It not only records your screen but also captures system audio, microphone, and even your webcam feed.

Steps:

1. Go to the DiReec website and click the "Start Recording" button.
2. A selection window will pop up; choose what to record (entire desktop, a single window, or a specific tab).
3. Under audio sources, check "System Audio" and "Microphone." System audio captures sounds playing on your computer.
4. Click Share, then hit the record button on the site to start.
5. When done, click Stop. The video will be exported automatically; you can preview or download it.

Pros: Completely free, no installation, cross-platform (works on Windows, Mac, Linux). Cons: Requires an internet connection; recording quality may be affected by network speed.

Method 2: Windows 10/11 Built-in Game Bar—Record Desktop Too

Many people think Game Bar is only for recording games, but it can also record regular desktop activity. Plus, it's built into Windows, so no extra downloads needed.

Steps:

1. Press Win + G to open the Game Bar overlay.
2. You'll see a record button (circular icon) on the left; click it to start recording.
3. If there's no sound, click the audio settings on the right side of the bar and make sure "Record system audio" or "Record microphone" is enabled.
4. Click stop again when done; the video will be saved in the "Videos > Captures" folder.

Pros: Built-in and free, simple to use, supports system audio and microphone. Cons: Can't pause during recording, and it only records a single window; switching windows stops the recording.

Method 3: Windows Stereo Mix—Fix Missing System Audio

Some computers still can't capture system audio with Game Bar, usually because the "Stereo Mix" audio driver is disabled. This is a hidden Windows audio setting.

Steps:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Open Sound settings."
2. Click "Sound Control Panel," then switch to the "Recording" tab.
3. Right-click in the empty area and check "Show Disabled Devices."
4. Find "Stereo Mix," right-click it, enable it, and set it as the default device.
5. After this, use Game Bar or other recording software to capture system audio.

Pros: Completely solves the issue of missing system audio. Cons: More steps involved, and some sound cards don't support Stereo Mix.

Method 4: Mac Built-in Screen Recording—Quick Shortcut

Macs have had a great built-in screen recorder since Mojave, and you can access it with just a keyboard shortcut.

Steps:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 to bring up the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
2. There are two record icons: one for full screen, one for selected area. Choose the one you need.
3. Click "Options," then under "Microphone," select your audio input (built-in or external mic).
4. Hit record to start. When done, click the stop button in the menu bar.
5. The video will be saved to your desktop automatically.

Pros: Built-in and free, convenient shortcut, good recording quality. Cons: Doesn't record system audio by default; you'd need a virtual audio driver to capture system sound simultaneously. (For most voiceovers, the mic is sufficient.)

Method 5: QuickTime Player—More Than Just a Video Player

Long-time Mac users know QuickTime Player well. Besides playing videos, it has a hidden screen recording feature. If your Mac is older and lacks the screen recording shortcut, this is the way to go.

Steps:

1. Open QuickTime Player, then click "File > New Screen Recording" in the menu bar.
2. A recording window will appear in the center; click the arrow next to the red record button to select your microphone source.
3. Press the red button, then drag to select the area to record, or click anywhere to record the full screen.
4. When done, click the stop button in the menu bar. The video will open automatically; don't forget to save it.

Pros: Available on all Macs, no system upgrade needed. Cons: Only records microphone audio; can't capture system audio directly.

4 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Screen Recorder

If you're looking for a more professional paid screen recorder, or deciding among these free methods, think about these four things:

1. What audio do you need? If you only need your own voiceover, built-in tools are enough. If you need both system audio and mic, free online tools are the most convenient.
2. Can you handle the complexity? Windows Stereo Mix setup has a learning curve for some. If you want to avoid settings, go with online tools or Mac's built-in.
3. Do you need video editing? The methods above are pure recording with no editing features. If you need to trim or add subtitles, you might need a more comprehensive recorder.
4. Any output format requirements? Game Bar outputs MP4, QuickTime outputs MOV, and online tools usually give MP4. Some software lets you adjust quality and frame rate, but MP4 is enough for most people.

FAQ

Q1: Why is there no sound in my recording? A: Usually because you only selected the screen and didn't enable the audio source. On Windows Game Bar, you need to manually turn on the recording switch; on Mac's shortcut recording, the microphone is set to "None" by default. Check your settings.

Q2: Do online tools add watermarks? A: Free online tools like DiReec typically don't have watermarks, but it's best to check before recording. If you're concerned, built-in tools are definitely cleanest.

Q3: Can I record system audio and microphone simultaneously? A: Yes, online tools and some paid software support it. Windows Game Bar can also enable both. Mac's built-in doesn't directly support it; you'd need third-party software.

Q4: Will the recording quality be poor? A: Built-in tools and online tools produce decent quality, at least 1080p. If the original screen is clear, the recording will be too.

Q5: Which method is best for beginners? A: I recommend starting with an online tool—it has the lowest technical barrier. If you don't want to rely on the internet, try Game Bar or Mac's shortcut.

Conclusion

Recording your computer screen with audio isn't hard; the key is selecting the right audio source. Among these five methods, online tools are the easiest, Windows Game Bar is the most straightforward, and Mac's shortcut is the fastest.

If you only need to record a meeting or tutorial occasionally, you don't need to spend money on software. Next time you face the "no sound" dilemma, come back to this article and follow the steps.

References

• Computer Screen Recording Methods - Mobile01
• How to Record Computer Screen? Windows/Mac Built-in Screen Recorder Tutorial!
• 13 Ways to Record Screen on Win10 [Including Built-in Tutorial, with Audio]
• 2026 Guide - Beginner Tutorial: How to Screen Record? (Phone / Computer / Windows / Mac / iOS / Android)
• Engineer Equals Work: Win10 Screen Recording with Internal Audio