10 Best Streaming Audio Recorders in 2023
Audio streaming recorders make it easy to record, play, and replay online meeting or class notes. Here’s our list of the best streaming audio recorders, including sound and screen recorders for PC, online recorders, browser extensions, and mobile apps.
Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder
Our best pick from the list above is Movavi Screen Recorder. This program lets you record audio from online meetings, calls, tutorial videos, podcasts, and online seminars. In addition, it comes with a 3-second countdown feature, thus bracing you to capture the complete audio.
With Movavi Screen Recorder, you have the facility to save the files in MP3 format, which makes it feasible to transfer and play the content on other devices.
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Streaming audio recorders for Windows 10 and Mac
Best for: recording music or video audio on desktop
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: free version, pro version for $59.95
G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 44 reviews
You can use Movavi as a streaming audio recorder Windows 10 and Mac owners can utilize:
Windows 7, 9, or 10
Mac OS 10.9 or higher
This is a screen video recorder, but it’s a practical solution whether you want to record streaming music, a video chat’s audio, your system’s audio, or the audio from almost any other sound source. You can save the tracks as MP3s, making it easy to export to other devices and listen to your music anywhere.
A nifty feature is a 3-second countdown, so you don’t have to fear losing those precious first seconds of a podcast or song ever again.
Key features:
Screen recording
Screenshots editing feature
Scheduled recording
Swift sharing on various social platforms
Numerous exporting options
Customization in shortcut creation
Pros:
Allows users to record a full, partial, or just a small section of a screen
You can record videos with a frame rate of 5 to 60 frames per second
Mono and stereo recording modes are available for you to record different sound streams from the system and microphone audio
Your webcam video can also be recorded
It is easy to export videos
Cons:
The free version is limited
Doesn’t support Linux
Here’s a short step-by-step guide for working with Movavi:
Step 1. Install the Movavi screen sound ripper
You need to download an installation file. After running it, you can install the streaming music recorder.
Step 2. Set up audio capture
Now run Screen Recorder, but remember to define a capture area. You can make adjustments with the cursor. Ensure System Audio is activated.
Step 3. Capture the audio stream
Press the Record button to start the recording and Stop when you’ve reached the end of the desired track or audio snippet. Hotkeys work too:
Pause: F9 or ⌥ ⌘ 1
Stop: F10 or ⌥ ⌘ 2
Step 4. Save the file
A preview window automatically opens, so you can review the segment. Use Save As for extraction of the audio and opt for MP3. Now you can export your audio file.
Best for: recording and editing tracks for free
OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
Price: free
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars, 331 reviews
Audacity is an industry favorite for good reasons. It’s been around for some time, so all its glitches have been dealt with by now. It’s a streaming audio recorder Windows 10 users can try, and you can use it on Linux and Mac, so this open-source software is versatile. There aren’t many requirements for it to work on your desktop computer, so almost anyone can give it a try.
You can use the PC’s mic or an audio interface as the audio source you want to record. You have the option of a countdown to ensure nothing is left out of the recording, and afterward, it’s easy to edit the tracks. Since it’s firstly an audio editor, apart from recording the tracks you want, you can also easily change them using Audacity’s intuitive menus and options.
Key features:
Live sound recording and audio playback
Supports MP2, MP2, MP3, AIFF, WAV, and FLAC formats
Audio editor available that cut, blend, and merge audio
Sound pitch and speed alteration
Pros:
Simple to use
Free to use
Many features and plugin options
Cons:
User interface can’t be customized
Impossible to update files once edited
Best for: hands-free recording of internal and external sounds
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: free
Softonic rating: 3.2 out of 5 stars, 1638 reviews
This free streaming audio recorder has won awards over the years, so you can have peace of mind that you’re getting a quality audio recording option. It’s designed to record internal and external sounds, so whether it’s for YouTube or another audio source, one program will work for you.
The approach is practical with features like hands-free recording, even if it’s a long session you want to capture. Afterward, you can make changes to your track, such as adding effects or cutting out sections.
You have a selection of formats to pick from, including:
MP3
WMA
WAV
OGG
It can even automatically select a format based on your type of sound card, so it’s effortless to work with.
Key features:
Internal and external audio recording
Scheduled recording
Includes digital audio editor
Supports MP3, WMA, WAV, and OGG formats
Pros:
Record audio from YouTube, Skype, and other platforms
High-quality results
Hand-free and scheduled recordings
Export files to MP3, WMA, WAV, or OGG formats
Built-in digital audio editor
Cons:
The free version is only available for Windows
Best for: professional recording and removal of background noise
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: $19.95 – monthly, $39.95 – yearly, $69.95 – lifetime, $99.95 – business
Crozdesk rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 2144 reviews
This product is specifically designed as a screen recorder to capture the activity – audio and video – on your screen. There are different Windows and Mac screen recorder versions.
Apart from the sound coming from your device, you can add sounds, for example, via a microphone to narrate a track. You can even clean up the background noise.
Although you can record streaming audio free with the trial option, you’ll have to buy this software to use long term. Its editing options are also limited compared to some other products on our list.
A handy feature is that you can schedule recordings to take place in the future, so you don’t have to activate them manually. Simply set it to start recording at a specific time. When finished, there are ten different file formats to pick from for exporting.
Key features:
Captures full or partial screen
Simultaneous video and audio recording
Webcam recording
Scheduled recording
Supports MP4, M4V, AVI, MOV, FLV, WMV, SWF, ASF, GIFS, and other formats
Pros:
Separately record background noise with your microphone together
Easy-to-use interface
Record videos in various formats
Cons:
The trial version has restricted features, such as a two-minute video capture limit
Best for: recording podcasts or music easily
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: $40
Trustpilot rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars, 662 reviews
SoundTap you can use on Windows 10, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 and 8. For Mac, you’ll need 10.5 or higher. Because it’s specifically designed to be a streaming audio recorder, this is ideal for music and podcast recordings.
Format options are limited but sufficient by giving you an option between WAV and MP3. If you have a recording in an uncommon file type, this software can help you convert it to MP3. It’s compatible with software like WavePad, Switch MP3 File Converter, MixPad, and RecordPad.
Key features:
Music, conferences, and podcast recording
Supports WAV and MP3 formats
Compatible with Windows Media Player, Real Audio, QuickTime, Skype, Google Hangouts, and Slack
Compatible with MixPad Audio File Mixer to mix recordings with other audio files
Pros:
Export audio files to MP3 formats
Save audio in WAV or MP3 formats
Record streaming audio from conferences, webinars, radio, and other platforms
Cons:
Only compatible with Mac 10.5 or higher
Limited format options
Tools to record streaming audio online
Best for: free online screen recording
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: free
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars, 44 reviews
Here’s another downloader that will work on Windows or Mac, and it has an impressive list of file formats you can export to:
MP3
WMA
AAC
FLAC
WAV
M4A
OGG
You simply download its launcher, and then it’s available for use.
It’s user-friendly and practical, since you can add ID3 tags and artwork to organize your tracks on your PC after you recorded them.
We were impressed with the informative website, where you can find handy tutorials to optimize the use of this resource.
Key features:
Records multiple audio sources
Supports MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and OGG formats
Audio sharing to YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Plus, Twitter
Pros:
Playback the recorded audio in real-time
Compatible with Windows Media Player, QuickTime, iTunes, Tablets, Chromebook, Android smartphones, iPhone, and Windows Phone
Compatible with several file formats
Cons:
There is no option for audio editing
Best for: online audio, webcam, and video recording
OS: any (web-based)
Price: free version, paid version for $9.95/month or $39.95/year
Trustpilot rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars, 63 reviews
This recorder requires no download, so you can start using it straight away. You can record streaming audio online or your voice, so you can add your narration to a track if needed. You just have to switch between Microphone and Sound settings.
This is a free audio streaming recorder which you can use as many times as you like – no limits. The paid-for version allows you to remove the watermark of the video you’re recording. If it’s only the audio you’re concerned about, a watermark isn’t a big problem, though.
Tip: there is a desktop version of this live stream ripper, and it has even more features to play around with.
Users find this freeware easy to work with, and you won’t have a long learning curve before you feel comfortable using it.
Key features:
Records browser and desktop activity
Records webcam video
Sound recording
Pros:
Safe and easy to use
Has a free version
Cons:
The free version comes with a watermark
Browser extensions to download streaming audio
Browser extensions also enable you to access the resource no matter where you are or which device you’re using. Of course, the functionality may be affected when you have a bad connection. Audio may be muffled at times.
Best for: recording audio from one or more browser tabs
OS: any
Price: free
Rating: 4.4/5 stars, 300 000 users
This is a browser extension, but the file you save will be available on your computer itself. With this resource, you can opt for MP3 or WAV files.
The extension lets you either record a single tab’s audio or multiple tabs. As with many other products, you can opt for MP3 or WAV exports.
As a browser extension, it’s easy to access.
Key features:
Records tab audio
Supports MP3 and WAV formats
Pros:
Browser extension for real-time in-tab recording
Easy to use
Cons:
Only available for Google Chrome
How to record streaming audio with a smartphone app
We all tend to use our mobile phones more and more for general tasks than our desktops. So, sooner or later, you’ll want to rip streaming audio from your smartphone, and that’s what these apps are excellent for.
Best for: recording screens and audio on a smartphone
OS: Android, iOS
Price: free with in-app purchases
Rating (App Store): 4.3 out of 5 stars, 377 reviews
Rating (Google Play): 4.5 out of 5 stars, 1.4 million reviews, 50 000 000+ installs
With a recorder on your mobile device, you can record everything that’s happening on the screen itself, but audio too. It’s often the best way of how to record streaming audio. Also, it’s easy to share your recordings with your friends straight from your mobile device.
For your iPhone, you’ll need iOS 12.0 or later. With Android, you can use features like recording internal sound from Android 10.
It is mainly focused on users who want to record videos of themselves, but it works well for recording streaming audio. With Android, there’s no root required, and you have unlimited recording time.
Key features:
Screen and internal audio recording
Floating bar controls
GIF creation
Additional drawing tools
Pros:
A floating bar of controls, making it easy to use
Create GIFs from recorded videos
Use the drawing tools to annotate the videos
Cons:
Won’t record internal audio on devices running Android 9 or lower
Best for: capturing high-quality screen recording
OS: Android, iOS
Price: free with in-app purchases
Rating (Google Play): 4.3 out of 5 stars, 3,185,182 reviews
Rating (App Store): 5 out of 5 stars, 2 reviews
Mobizen allows you to download streaming audio and screen on your smartphone device. Additionally, it saves high-quality videos with 1080p resolution, 12.0 Mbps quality, and 60 FPS.
Mobizen also offers live streaming, free video editing, and free watermark removal features. It is available for Android users with OS version 4.4 or later and iOS version 11.0 or later.
Key features:
Screen recording
Live streaming
Video editing
Pros:
Access multiple audio recording and video editing features
Capture high-quality videos
Save and share videos to various platforms
Cons:
Not compatible with earlier versions of OS Android 4.4 and iOS 11.0
How to record streaming audio with Audacity
Want to know how to record streaming music with Audacity? Luckily, it’s known for its user-friendliness, so here’s all you need for how to record streaming audio.
Step 1. Set up your system
Connect devices such as your microphone and your headphones to record streaming audio online. With a splitter, you can even have additional headphones so you and a friend can listen while you record.
Step 2. Ready the program
To capture streaming audio, you must open the Audacity program and navigate to the preference settings. In most cases, you’ll use Built-in input as your input option.
Step 3. Play the audio and record
Go to the tab from which you’re streaming the audio. You can first press the Record button and then start streaming if you don’t want to leave out any of the audio.
Step 4. Stop and export
Once the audio has played through, you can stop the recording. Your first option is to export it as a WAV file, but with the suitable encoder, you can also opt to save it as an MP3 on a PC.
What to look for in a streaming audio recorder
Now that you know what you get with a streaming audio recorder, let’s explore some essential features of these apps that you should look out for:
Ease-of-use: make sure that your audio recorder has a user-friendly interface. Select a tool that you can easily use. You can evaluate how user-friendly the tool is by checking its trial version.
Features: before downloading the software, visit its website to learn about the features included in the package. Ensure that it has exactly what you need.
Formats supported: it is recommended to use a tool that supports numerous audio and video formats.
Reviews: you can also check reviews and ratings to gauge an understanding of the user experience.
Customer support: make sure the tool offers customer support in the form of live chat or email.
Summary
In this article, we’ve reviewed a number of streaming audio recorders. Before buying anything, make sure to browse through the pros, cons, and features of all the software, so that you pick the most suitable audio stream recorder for your needs.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best streaming audio recorder?
The best streaming audio recorder depends on your requirements. If you want it available offline, it’s best to pick something like Audacity that doesn’t require an Internet connection. If you usually listen and watch podcasts on your phone, the AZ Screen Recorder is a handy option.
How can I record a streaming audio?
Software like Movavi makes it easy to record streaming audio. You simply download the software and run it. Make sure to set it up to record system audio. Play and record the audio you want to capture and then save it in a file format you prefer.
Can you use Audacity to record streaming audio?
With Audacity, it’s simple to copy audio, since you simply play the track and hit Record on the software interface. It will record everything you’re streaming. The program will do the rest, and once you’ve stopped recording, you can export it to WAV files.
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