Voice recorders have so many uses these days. From conducting a journalism interview with a source across the globe to documenting a college lecture so that you don’t miss any important notes, it’s easier than ever to press “record” and get every word of that important interaction.
Prior to now, you needed a computer and expensive software to get the job done (or a separate gadget that needed batteries!) With smartphones giving us computing power in the palm of our hands, it just makes sense that we use them for this important task – by downloading one of the many low-cost or free voice recorder apps on the marketplace today.
These apps make voice recordings completely limitless, with so many people using them to increase productivity, get quality work done, and save a great deal of time.
There is a myriad of voice recording apps for Android. Some are basic, while others offer full features of a digital audio workstation (DAW). In this guide, we’re going to look at 10 of the best recorder apps for Android for students.
1. Rev Voice Recorder
Rev’s recorder app is a simple but full-featured audio recording, dictation, and transcription app.
What we like about it
- Syncs with cloud services
- Shares files via email and social media
- Records crystal clear audio
- Ability to transcribe audio
- Continues recording even in sleep mode
What’s lacking
- External storage to a cloud account
Rev’s app is built according to user feedback, so you can expect really nice features. What’s more, we guarantee that it’ll always be free. Should you need immediate 99% accurate transcription, you can send your recording to us and pay only $1.99/audio minute.
Price: Free
The verdict: The Rev Voice Recorder hits all the high points of a simple app but adds in the functionality you’d need to take your audio to full speech-to-text functionality. It’s ideal for anyone who wants unlimited free recording, sharing, and cloud sync. With the option to have human transcription tools at any time, it becomes a full-service note-taking service for journalists, marketers, students, and more.
2. Android’s Stock Audio Recorder
Your android device already has a fully functional recording app. Access the app, press the red button, speak, and voila! You can immediately store your ideas for later recovery.
What we like about it
- Records high-quality MP3
- Multiple audio formats
- One-tap sharing via email and social media
- Allows background recording
What’s lacking
- Has limited customization features
This Android-default app is free. Interface-wise, it may vary between brands but are essentially the same at the core.
Price: Free
The verdict. What can be better than free? If you’re going to stick with a record-only app (with no need for transcription), this will probably fit the bill. It gets bonus points for being a native app for the Android system, so you don’t have to worry about updates or compatibility issues. Those hoping for an easy transcription option should be prepared to take a few extra steps with a third-party service to get the job done.
3. Easy Voice Recorder
Designed for easy accessibility and one-tap recording, this app is perfect for recording jams, music, acapella, or more serious stuff like meetings, interviews, or lectures.
What we like about it
- Multiple high-quality audio format recording
- Shares via an app or email
- Android wear support
- Starts recording from the icon
What’s lacking
- Most useful features are available only on the paid version
The app is up for grabs in both free and premium versions.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
The verdict. Easy Voice Recorder is a fan fave for simplified, one-tap recordings. You’ll have to pay more for any of the more versatile perks. Those looking for a quick “click to transcribe” option should look elsewhere.
4. Smart Voice Recorder
Storage space is at a premium, and this is where this app shines. Smart Voice records and compresses the output audio into a smaller file size, saving precious data storage space in your device.
What we like about it
- Live audio spectrum analyzer
- Lock feature that prevents the device from turning off
- One-touch sharing
- Outputs recording in multiple high-quality formats
What’s lacking
- Doesn’t do call recording
This app records and compresses the audio data and comes for free on Google Play.
Price: Free
The verdict. As long as you are recording external audio and not calls, this app checks many boxes. The most valuable feature is its compression option, giving you a way to keep storage space clear and easily share long audio files. The free price makes it appealing, as well, as long as you know what format you need to export to an external service for transcribing.
5. ASR Voice Recorder
This app offers way more than what stock recorders can do and records in a variety of formats, including lossless.
What we like about it
- Has the ability to record in a lossless and high-fidelity format
- Provides widget support
- Has a playback speed control
- Instantly share content to social media or email
What’s lacking
- The free version is loaded with annoying ads
ASR is available for free. However, if you’re into additional features, you can gain access by signing up for a premium version.
Price: Free
The verdict. Many of the more notable features, such as lossless recording and playback speed control, come at the cost of numerous ad interruptions. A premium experience is probably where it’s at, but expect to do more work for transcribing with this app that’s geared toward audiophiles – not note-takers.
6. RecForge II
Who says recorders are just for boring lecture stuff? RecForge II lets you experience audio editing software right at the palm of your hand!
What we like about it
- Records band rehearsals perfectly
- Has an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) toggle switch
- Supports a wide variety of audio formats
- Runs in the background
What’s lacking
- Might not work on older versions of Android (below 4.0)
Download this app for free on the Play Store.
Price: Free
The verdict. As long as your Android is running the latest operating system, you should be good to go with this free app geared toward musicians. It’s ideal for performances and creative pursuits, however, and lacks some of the integrations that would make it a one-touch tool for transcription.
7. Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder
A fully functional recorder that is free on the Play Store, this app records everything and compresses it in a widely compatible MP3 format. Hi-Q MP3 also comes with widget support.
What we like about it
- Microphone selection functionality (if you have an external mic)
- Syncs to cloud services
- Supports Wi-Fi transfer
- Gain can be manually controlled
What’s lacking
- Does not support phone call recording
Hi-Q is downloadable for free but has in-app purchases and ads.
Price: Free or paid at $3.49/month
The verdict. The external mic feature and Wi-Fi transfer give this app some appeal. Like other free apps, you’ll be lacking some of the more robust features. Upgrading to all the goodies will cost you, however. Those who prefer a one-time purchase instead of monthly subscription billing should consider another option.
8. Voice Recorder – Audio Editor
There are a lot of great things to be said about this voice recorder. It’s got great audio clarity, you can edit your content, and its overall user interface is intuitive.
What we like about it
- Superb sound record quality.
- You can choose the recording quality so you can optimize the capacity.
- You can record in background mode.
- It’s easy to manage your recording files.
- You can share your recordings easily through email, SMS, Dropbox, etc.
What’s lacking
- It only has one language available. (The English language.)
Price: Free
The verdict: English language speakers will admire the free features loaded into this recording app, which include quality controls and a background mode. With no quick way to access transcription, however, it’s similar to others on the list that excel in front-end recording alone.
9. Cogi – Notes & Voice Recorder
Cogi immediately backs up your recording the second you hit the record button. In addition, it syncs everything to its own cloud server and lets you record even in the middle of a call.
What we like about it
- Saves everything in the cloud, freeing up valuable storage space
- Unlimited recording duration
- Record both lines on a phone call
- Records in a high-quality audio format
What’s lacking
- Doesn’t work on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and below
Free and premium versions are available on the Play Store.
Price: Free or paid starting at $4.95/month
The verdict: Those nervous that they won’t capture recordings or need extra backup space will love the cloud settings that come with this app. Unfortunately, the monthly fee is priced higher than some, and those with older phones are shut out of this solution completely.
10. Call Recorder
Call Recorder allows you to set it up as an automatic phone call recorder and activates once it detects a phone call coming in.
What we like about it
- Has password security for privacy
- Shares and syncs with cloud services
- Shares via email or SMS
- Has the ability to record both parties in the phone conversation
- Organizes call records
- Has whitelisting and blacklisting number options
What’s lacking
- Doesn’t work on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and below
Experience the free version by downloading it on the Play Store.
Price: Free
The verdict. As far as call recorders go, this one takes the lead over some on the list. The security features are useful, too. However, with limited functionality for older phones and no easy way to order transcription, it still might not work for those who want a more streamlined note-taking workflow.
What’s Next?
Voice recording is just one of the many conveniences an Android phone has. While it may not gift you with studio-quality audio — despite still producing exceptional quality recordings — it does reward you with the ability to record sounds, no matter the time and place. Productivity apps such as voice recorders will always have their special place on smartphones, especially for busy individuals who want to harness the power of recording on a limited budget.
And because there’s a ton of them out there, it pays to know which among them fits your needs perfectly.
