Voice Memo Apps for iPhone Just Press Record vs Voice Secretary vs Ferrite Recording Studio ... and 4 more
Edited by Jasmin, Eng, Maria Quinney
7 Methods:
Wouldn't it be great if we had a handy little chip in our brains that could record all of our important thoughts? Our productivity levels would soar and we'd have very few excuses for not remembering things. Unfortunately, we haven't advanced quite that far. Yet. Luckily, we have the next best thing available to us now: voice recording. And gone are the days when carrying a tape recorder around was the only method of doing so, thanks to the many iPhone apps making those machines all but obsolete.
There are several apps that make anything from recording reminders and notes, interviews, class lectures, business meetings, podcasts, phone calls, or song ideas easy as pie. Below you'll find the details on the top 7 voice memo apps. They each bring a little something different to the table so just about anyone will find the one that's right for their specific needs.
Method 1: Just Press Record
- 1Just Press Record provides you with the convenience of one-tap recording and instant syncing through iCloud.How it Works.
- 2Requires a one-time purchase of $4.99.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- Offers unlimited recording time; storage space is based on your iCloud availability.
- Recordings are organized by date by default, but you can rename files to make searching easier.
- Recordings are saved in iTunes formatting.
- Transcribes spoken word into text that can be viewed at the same time as the recording playback or in a larger format. Transcription language is set in-app, which means it's independent of your iPhone's actual language setting.
- Dictate punctuation commands as you record to make transcription formatting quick and easy.
- Share recording and transcriptions with almost any app installed on your iPhone.
- Records while the app is in the background.
- Search for recordings in-app or in Spotlight.
- Offers a widget for the Today page.
- Syncs with Apple Watch.
- Minimal interface makes for ease of use.
- 4Cons.
- Not suitable for recording in noisy environments.
- iCloud account required.
- 5Just Press Record has a simple design and, in ways, is similar to the iPhone's built-in voice memo app. However, the app's transcription feature (with punctuation and multiple language support) really sets it apart. Download here.Verdict.
Method 2: Voice Secretary
- 1With Voice Secretary, you can record memos, schedule them on a calendar, and program playback alert times.How it Works.
- 2Requires a one-time payment of $2.99.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- Starts recording in three ways: tap the record button, shake your phone, or use the proximity sensor.
- Records in the background.
- 30 different customizable alert sounds.
- Share recordings via email directly from the app.
- Reminders are sent even when offline or working in other apps.
- Syncs with iCal.
- A voice similar to Siri will continue to remind you of urgent memos until you attend to them, so you'll never miss something important.
- Allows backup with iTunes and Dropbox.
- Multiple language support.
- 4Cons.
- Interface accessibility needs improvement; the amount of features can be cluttering.
- 5Voice Secretary is a combination of Siri, Reminders, and Voice Memos all in one app. It's perfect for someone who needs to constantly make "notes-to-self" and who needs help to stay on track of them all. Download here.Verdict.
Method 3: Ferrite Recording Studio
- 1Ferrite is simple enough to use for everyday voice memos but also offers additional complex features to help you accomplish more advanced tasks such as multi-track editing.How it Works.
2
Pricing/Upgrades
. 3
Pros
.
- One-tap recording.
- Bookmark button allows you to flag moments during recording so you can easily find them during the editing process.
- Easily monitor levels with live recording meters.
- Trim, copy and paste, adjust volume and input levels, add fading background music, crossfade between clips, and more during editing.
- Offers optional automatic ducking and silence stripping.
- Handy undo and redo buttons for when mistakes happen.
- Edits single or multiple clips at once.
- Supports audio imports from your music library, iCloud, Dropbox, and more.
4
Cons
.
- The free version limits your duration for recording and editing tracks.
- Space is based on what your device is capable of holding.
5
Verdict
. Method 4: Notability
- 1Notability combines the qualities of a notebook that supports both text and illustrations, with the added feature of audio recordings. Take notes, annotate PDFs, write on images, record lectures or add audio to documents, and more.How it Works.
- 2Requires a one-time payment of $9.99. Also, offers multiple in-app purchases.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- Take notes while recording and the app automatically realizes where they'll fit into the track. Or, link notes and recordings after the fact.
- Watch recordings and notes side-by-side during playback, and tap notes as they appear to add or edit.
- Find an important moment in the recording by continuing to tap the notes section until the relevant, associated words appear.
- Share notes and recordings via email, AirDrop, Twitter, Dropbox, Google Drive, or directly to a printer (for notes.)
- Great way to provide both written and audio feedback for students, coworkers, or employees.
- Backup files to iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
- Supports spotlight search function.
- 4Cons.
- No option to share notes and recordings with other apps.
- Since its main function is not recording there are a few features it doesn't offer, such as track editing.
- 5Notability is fantastic for people who need a diverse app that can keep a variety of information types all in one place. It would be great for students, teachers, people working in film and television, or just about anyone who would benefit from having audio files to complement other details in a project. Download here.Verdict.
Method 5: Pio Smart Recorder
- 1Pio is a voice memo app focused on highlighting key moments during recordings. It has a simple interface that lets you record, mark moments, and export files.How it Works.
- 2Free, with .99¢ in-app purchases for sharing options and access to unlimited projects.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- Prior to recording you have the option to add in details about your subject, such as name and age, which is great for interviews.
- During recordings, start and stop your marks with a single tap. Use a double tap to create a five second mark.
- Rapidly review your recording by listening only to the marked components.
- Supports export to Dropbox and Google Drive.
- Easy to add, edit the length or position of, and remove marks.
- Name audio files and add notes when necessary.
- Save relevant files to a Project and color code them for better organization.
- If you choose to purchase the sharing option, you can choose between sending the entire audio file or just the highlights.
- 4Cons.
- Sharing is a key feature for this app and it's only available after payment.
- 5Though the main feature of Pio is also available in the Ferrite app, Pio offers it not just for free but on a more basic level. Ferrite may be great for more complex editing procedures, but Pio makes keeping tabs on important moments during meetings, interviews, and regular conversations almost effortless. Download here.Verdict.
Method 6: Quickvoice2Text Email
- 1Quickvoice allows you to send emails using just your voice; no typing required. Somewhat unrelated to its main function, the app can also help you create custom ringtones.How it Works.
- 2Requires a one-time payment of $2.99. An app for Mac or PC is included with your purchase.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- One-tap recording and pause function.
- Adjustable recording qualities; up to 44.1 kHz.
- Sends voice reminders.
- Records while the app is in the background.
- Send voice notes in the Messages app.
- Syncs with iTunes to backup your recordings.
- Creates ringtones from your own music, sound effects, or voice recordings.
- 4Cons.
- Interface is bulky and outdated; the app's last update was January of 2016.
- 5Anyone who spends a large majority of their days sending and responding to emails will benefit highly from the time saved using Quickvoice. The app is a dream for multi-taskers, and its numerous other features make it well worth the low price. Download here.Verdict.
Method 7: TapeACall
- 1With TapeACall you can record any incoming or outgoing calls, without paying a per-minute fee. There are no limits on how many recordings you make or what their length is.How it Works.
- 2Requires a yearly payment of $9.99.Pricing/Upgrades.
- 3Pros.
- Create custom labels for your recordings for optimal organization and easier future searching.
- Works worldwide, making it a great choice for businesses who have global clients or partnerships.
- Share your MP3 recordings via email, text, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Syncs with Dropbox, Evernote, and Google Drive for easy backup.
- Will record 3-way calls if that is an option provided by your network.
- 4Cons.
- The app doesn't notify the other party that a recording is taking place.*
- Ease of use could be improved; for incoming calls, you have to put the caller on hold and go into the app to start recording.
- 5TapeACall is the ideal app for people who frequently conduct business over the phone and need to save or share important information made during these calls. It's also a great idea for podcasters; though Skype offers something similar for free, the quality of this app's recordings is much higher. *Remember: before using any call recorder app, ensure that all parties involved are aware of the recording. Download here.Verdict.
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