Ranking updated
Voice recorder apps: record a lecture, a meeting or an idea
Most phones already have a voice recorder, and it is often enough. Voice Memos on iPhone and Samsung Voice Recorder on Galaxy phones record, trim and turn speech into text. Google Recorder transcribes and labels what you record, and Easy Voice Recorder works on both iPhone and Android, with widgets and no time limits on Android.
How we chose: free voice recorders from phone makers and one independent app available on both platforms, with features taken from each app’s store description.
Start with the built-in recorder
Before installing anything, open the recorder that came with the phone. On iPhone it is Voice Memos, on Samsung phones Voice Recorder, and Google offers Recorder on Google Play. All three record through the built-in microphone, edit the result and turn speech into text, which is what most people need for a lecture or a meeting.
Voice Memos on iPhone
Voice Memos records on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch through the built-in microphone, a Bluetooth headset or an external microphone. You can trim and replace parts, save an edit as a new copy without touching the original, choose uncompressed audio for the best sound and convert speech to text to find the right moment. Recordings sync over iCloud, so you can carry on working on a Mac.
Samsung Voice Recorder and Google Recorder
Samsung Voice Recorder starts recording from a Galaxy phone, tablet or watch. Its interview mode uses the microphones at the top and bottom of the phone to record two people and lets you play each voice back separately. You can bookmark important moments and edit the transcribed text. Google Recorder automatically transcribes and labels what you record so you can find the parts that matter, then save, edit, share or summarize it. It also has a Wear OS tile for quick recordings.
Easy Voice Recorder on both platforms
Easy Voice Recorder by Digipom records meetings, classes, notes and songs. On iPhone it saves to PCM, MP4 or AAC, transcribes recordings, plays back at high speed, trims and starts from Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets. On Android the listing promises recording without time limits, a compressed format for long lectures and playback that you can speed up or slow down.
Which one to choose
iPhone, Voice Memos. A Galaxy phone, Samsung Voice Recorder, especially for interviews. Android with automatic labels, Google Recorder. The same app on iPhone and Android, Easy Voice Recorder. To record a phone call, see call recording apps, and to keep written notes next to recordings, note taking apps.
| App | Platform | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Voice MemosApp Store | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | trim and replace, transcription, uncompressed audio, iCloud sync with Mac |
| Samsung Voice RecorderGoogle Play | Galaxy phones, tablets and watches | interview mode with two voices, bookmarks, editable transcript |
| Google RecorderGoogle Play | Android, Wear OS | automatic transcript and labels, edit, share and summarize |
| Easy Voice RecorderApp StoreGoogle Play | iPhone and Android | PCM, MP4 or AAC, transcription, playback speed, widgets |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the voice recorder on a Samsung phone?
It is the Voice Recorder app from Samsung. If it is missing, it can be installed from Google Play.
Can a voice recorder turn speech into text?
Yes. Voice Memos, Samsung Voice Recorder, Google Recorder and Easy Voice Recorder all mention transcription in their store descriptions.
Which voice recorder is in Ukrainian?
On the App Store, Voice Memos lists Ukrainian.