Gone are the days when you needed a separate electronic device for recording important information. Now you can use your iPhone and an app to take care of those tasks. Voice recording has grown in popularity and is used for a multitude of reasons.

Students record important lectures rather than taking written notes, musicians record practice sessions, writers and journalists capture interviews, and many people simply record their own thoughts and ideas so they aren’t forgotten.

We have put together a list of the best voice recorder apps on the market along with information on each of them. Whether you are looking for a free voice recorder app for iPhone or you are open to purchasing one, you’ll find the best voice recorder apps for iPhone users in the list below.

1. Rev Voice Recorder

In case the name didn’t give it away, the Rev Voice Recorder is our very own free voice recorder app. Since it was built based on feedback that came directly from our customers, it’s consumer-oriented and easy to use. You can find it available for download on iPhone and Android.

There are many things to love about it making it a popular choice among users looking for the best recording app. This voice recorder app will always be free to download, free to record audio files, and it’s as simple as pressing a button to purchase transcripts any time.

All of the app’s features are great to have at your fingertips when you need to directly quote or tease insights out of an audio recording, making it a favorite among journalists and market researchers in particular.

What We Like About It

• Records and trims with ease
• Can send files anywhere including Evernote, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, and Google Drive
• Can record in the background while other apps are being used
• Can import recordings from other iPhone apps to Rev

What’s Lacking

• Some iPhone users may not like having to pay for each transcription, but since real humans transcribe your audio we’re able to guarantee 99 percent accuracy, unlike automated alternatives.

2. Voice Memos

You may be familiar with the iPhone Voice Memos app, as every device comes with the app pre-installed. It has a nice array of features that work well for most basic users, including file trimming for clip length and size. You can easily find this app by swiping down on your home screen (iOS 15 or later) and searching “Voice Memos”.

If you’re not able to find it, the app is also available for download on the App Store.

Seeing as this app is pre-installed, it’s a good place to begin if you are just getting started on the search for the best voice recorder app. As you increase your knowledge, improve your skills, or your needs change, however, you will more than likely want to upgrade to a better, more versatile app.

What We Like About It

• Easy user interface
• Handles basic file trimming
• Compatible with Apple Watch
• Comes pre-installed on the iPhone and available on the App Store for free

What’s Lacking

• Cannot share large audio files
• Cannot take text notes while recording audio

3. AVR (Awesome Voice Recorder)

With a name like Awesome Voice Recorder, you expect the best and this app delivers. There are some advanced features offered by AVR that definitely make our top ten list: tagging, combining two or more files together, and many others.

Overall, Awesome Voice Recorder has a simple layout that is relatively simple to use but may prove a little challenging at times for brand-new users. There is a free version available on the App Store and Google Play Store, as well as the option to upgrade to AVR Pro for $4.99.

What We Like About It

• Allows tagging of important events during the recording
• Can pause recording and continue where you left off
• All recordings are moved to a folder that can be saved and password protected
• Compatible with Apple Watch

What’s Lacking

• No feature that allows multiple file transfer to Dropbox
• Clearer instructions needed for some functions such as combining

4. Voice Record Pro

Rounding out the general category of the best voice recorder apps is Voice Record Pro, one of the more advanced voice recorder apps available for iPhone users. This app comes with a breadth of great features, making it a strong contender for journalists, writers, and personal use.

One of the most attractive features of this app is the ability to customize the attributes of your recordings. You will be prompted to do this once you press record. Voice Record Pro is free on the App Store and Google Play Store, and offers in-app purchases for additional features.

What We Like About It

• Dedicated silence detection bar that will help eliminate dead space from your recordings
• Can add editable tags for more detailed clarity on your recordings
• Several editing features such as reverb, echo, distortion, and volume
• Can snip parts of your file if needed

What’s Lacking

• Lack of ability to get tech support
• Could use an additional feature that allows the recording to be stopped without having to tap the screen

5. AudioShare

AudioShare is a particularly useful app for musicians or documentary makers, as it allows users to record and add music to said recording. AudioShare is a perfect example of a product that might not be the best voice recorder app for every user, but rather caters to a specific audience and use case.

What We Like About It

• Allows users to record, trim, and share audio files
• Inter-app recording that allows recording from other apps on your iPhone
• Organizes all sound and midi files right on your phone
• Huge list of great features

What’s Lacking

• Can be a little complex for brand-new users
• Some users may feel the $3.99 price tag is high

6. Multi-Track Song Recorder

Another contender for the best voice recorder app for musicians and songwriters is the Multi-Track Song Recorder. It allows users to record as much as four different sounds, then overlays them on top of each other. Once this is completed, the files are combined and can be edited to play together or start separately.

The simple user interface and other great features make this a favorite among musicians that want to put entire music tracks together. There is a free version available on the App Store, and the company offers in-app purchases for additional upgraded features.

What We Like About It

• Files can be saved individually or all together
• Easy to use
• Exporting is simple and can also be sent through Dropbox, iTunes, and email
• Includes a metronome

What’s Lacking

• Not available on the Google Play Store
• Can have echo from other tracks if headphones are not used to record
• Can be difficult to get solid recordings using the internal hardware of the iPhone without a separate mic and headphones

7. Voice Recorder and Audio Editor

For students and professors in search of the best voice recorder app for school, we recommend testing out the aptly named Voice Recorder and Audio Editor. Aside from recording lectures, the app allows you to get 80% accurate transcriptions for a small upgrade price.

This app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store – the app is also on its ninth version, which makes it clear that the developers are consistently making changes and improvements to better the user experience.

What We Liked About It

• Sleek user interface
• Can use other phone functions while recording
• Offers in-app purchase that will transcribe your recordings
• Easily saves files to your iTunes account

What’s Lacking

• Limited editing function only allows deleting
• When a recording is stopped, a new file is generated – this can lead to files that are too large or long to work with post-recording

8. AudioNote 2

The best voice recorder app for college students, AudioNote 2, makes recording lectures and note-taking easier than ever before. This app essentially functions as a notebook in digital form with a built-in sound recorder.

Once a recording is completed, the resulting notes can be time-stamped, highlighted, and saved to your iCloud account. The app is available as a paid and free version on the App Store and Google Play Store – the biggest difference between the paid and unpaid versions is the added ability to import audio into the app, as well as increased recording quality.

What We Like About It

• Easy to use interface
• Files can be saved to Dropbox, your iPhone, or iCloud
• Sharing available on several platforms
• Supports English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

What’s Lacking

• Files are saved in a format that is not useable on PC
• Requires iOS 15 or later

9. HT Professional Recorder

Along the same lines of the previous apps, which were found to be some of the best voice recorder apps for students, HT Professional Recorder also appeals to businesspeople who want to record meetings.

Available on the Apple App Store, HT Professional Recorder includes some unique features, such as the ability to record conversations in larger rooms, even if people are speaking close to the phone. The app also auto-amplifies voices on recordings, giving it a higher sensitivity than other apps on the market.

What We Like About It

• Bookmark important moments throughout the recordings
• Share files through email or iTunes
• Use the “skip silence” button to cut out dead space
• Overwrite capability allows dictation corrections

What’s Lacking

• Not available for Android devices
• Cannot record during phone calls
• Does not include a transcription feature
• $9.99 cost may be seen as too expensive by some consumers

How to Find the Best Voice Recorder App

Regardless of the reason you want to record audio, there is a voice recorder app iPhone users can download that will get the job done right – many are free to use, or offer in-app upgrades.

At the end of the day, the important thing to keep in mind is that not all apps are created equal. The voice recorder app that is best for you will depend on what you need to use it for. The Rev Voice recorder has become a favorite for individuals in a variety of positions, including:

• Students, professors, and other education professionals
• Businesspeople, marketers, and market researchers
• Musicians, journalists, and other creatives
• And more!

Explore Rev’s services to discover how you can leverage transcription, recording, captioning, and subtitling today.