Loopback Alternative for Mac

Loopback by Rogue Amoeba costs $99 for Mac audio routing. BlackHole does the same job for free. Here is how they compare and when the paid option is worth it.

What Is Loopback and Why Look for an Alternative?

Loopback by Rogue Amoeba ($99) creates virtual audio devices on Mac that route audio between applications. Loopback provides a visual interface for combining specific app outputs into custom virtual devices. BlackHole (free, open-source) achieves the same basic routing through a simpler virtual audio driver combined with macOS Audio MIDI Setup.

The need for custom soundboard app audio routing to OBS, Discord, or Zoom is the most common reason users search for Loopback alternatives. LitPads and other professional Mac audio apps do not include built-in routing and rely on external tools. BlackHole provides this routing at no cost.

The audio routing on Mac covers both BlackHole and Loopback approaches in detail, including setup steps and troubleshooting.

How Does BlackHole Compare to Loopback?

BlackHole creates a simple virtual audio device. Combined with a macOS multi-output device, it routes all system audio to both headphones and the virtual device simultaneously. Loopback creates custom virtual devices that capture audio from specific applications, providing per-app isolation that BlackHole cannot match. For basic soundboard routing, BlackHole is sufficient.
BlackHole
Free, open-source
Loopback
$99
BlackHole Routing
System-wide audio
Loopback Routing
Per-app isolation
LitPads + BlackHole
$14.99 total
Farrago + Loopback
$128 total

BlackHole routes all system audio through the virtual device. Every application's output reaches the receiving app (OBS, Discord, Zoom), not just the soundboard. System notifications, browser audio, and other app sounds also pass through. Loopback isolates specific application outputs, sending only the soundboard audio.

The BlackHole setup guide walks through the multi-output device approach. For most users, the system-wide routing is acceptable because the soundboard is the primary audio source during streaming or voice chat.

When Is Loopback Worth the $99?

Loopback is worth $99 when users need application-level audio isolation (routing only the soundboard, not system sounds), complex multi-device routing (multiple virtual devices for different apps), or a visual interface for managing routing configurations. Radio producers, multi-app recording setups, and professional broadcast environments benefit from Loopback's precision.

Most soundboard users only need system-wide routing, which BlackHole provides for free. Loopback's $99 price is justified only for per-app audio isolation in professional broadcast setups.

Farrago users already in the Rogue Amoeba ecosystem may prefer Loopback for its integrated experience. The combined cost of Farrago ($29) plus Loopback ($99) is $128. The combined cost of LitPads ($14.99) plus BlackHole (free) is $14.99 with more soundboard features.

How Do You Switch from Loopback to BlackHole?

Switching from Loopback to BlackHole involves installing BlackHole 2ch, creating a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup combining headphones and BlackHole, and updating the receiving application (OBS, Discord, Zoom) to use BlackHole as the input device instead of the Loopback virtual device. The transition takes about five minutes.

Users who rely on Loopback's per-application isolation should test the BlackHole system-wide approach before uninstalling Loopback. If system notification sounds appearing in the stream or voice chat is a problem, keeping Loopback may be worth the $99. Most users find the system-wide routing acceptable when the soundboard is the primary audio activity during streaming.

The Mac soundboard software guide covers the complete routing landscape including both free and paid options, helping users choose the approach that matches their technical requirements and budget.

Marcel Iseli DJing
Marcel Iseli

Indie Developer · DJ · Producer

LinkedIn

Marcel Iseli is an indie developer, DJ, and music producer with over 20 years behind the decks and in the studio. Rooted in hip hop culture, he collects drum machines, samplers, and vintage audio gear. LitPads grew out of that obsession: decades of triggering samples on hardware led him to build the software equivalent he always wanted.