6 apps for audio recording and transcription

Set the record straight with our highly recommended audio apps

Our iPhones are many things these days: instant messengers, games consoles, digital cameras. We can also add Dictaphones to the list thanks to the quality mics and great range of recording apps.

But which recording app should you get? There are plenty of apps tailored to various recording needs.

Some are perfect for quick, painless recording. Others specialize in super–accurate transcription. And some integrate their recording chops into broader organizational tools.

We’ve found six of the best for you to browse and download. Each one is ideally suited to recording audio on the go. ALEX BLAKE

OTTER: TRANSCRIBE VOICE NOTES

Free (IAPs) From otter.ai Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac

When you’re recording audio, you don’t want to spend hours transcribing it by hand. Instead, just use Otter.

This app uses clever AI to accurately record everything that is said. It differentiates between speakers, hosts the audio online so you can download it anywhere, and automatically tags each recording for you.

JUST PRESS RECORD

$4.99 From openplanetsoftware.com Made for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod touch

Just Press Record is all about easy audio recordings. Open the app and you can instantly start by pressing the red button. All audio can be categorized into folders, and the app transcribes automatically.

It gets even better on the Apple Watch app. This works independently of the iPhone app and is ideal for when you need to rapidly record.

REV VOICE RECORDER & MEMOS

Free (IAPs) From rev.com Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac

Sometimes, you need a human to transcribe your audio recordings. For times like that, use Rev. It claims over 99% accuracy and a 12–hour turnaround time, giving you fast, accurate transcriptions when you need them.

It can record in the background, syncs to Dropbox to back up your audio, and lets you trim and edit recordings.

ALICE

Free From aliceapp.ai Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac

Alice bills itself as a voice recorder for journalists, but it’s useful for everyone. It focuses on hands–free recording, letting you simply fire and forget as you record.

Open the app and it automatically counts down to recording. It transcribes audio and lets you playback and follow the transcription in sync, and you can tap the app once to add a bookmark to signpost an important section. Neat.

AUDIOSHARE

$4.99 From kymatica.com Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

If you make music, you know how important it is to have good quality audio tracks. AudioShare offers a suite of tools designed especially for music makers like you. You can trim, fade, normalize, convert, and export your clips, record from external mics or import from third– party apps, view track waveforms, and so much more. It really is a top–notch tool for any musician.

EVERNOTE – NOTES ORGANIZER

Free (IAPs) From evernote.com Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

You might not think Evernote is an audio recording app, but it’s easily up to the task. It may not offer transcription, but Evernote excels in a way that no other app in this article does: as a one–stop shop for all your notes. Whether you prefer to dictate your notes or just record the odd idea, Evernote is the ideal place for you to keep them all in one place.