voice recorder

The recorder is capable of making voice records and storing them in your built-in memory or on your SD card. Not meant for call recording, this app is meant for recording the world outside – for saving lectures or conferences you are at, or for speaking voice memos. The app lets you also organize your records by giving names.

Design 5/5

There are three sections in the app: recording, listening, and settings. The background is dark, but if you make your recordings with the active app, it shows you equalizer bars in the 1980s’ style. You can also record with the app in the background; then you’ll only see the icon in the notification section. The buttons are big and contrasting, so it’s hard to miss one.

Usability 4/5

When it comes to record quality, you can choose between several options, from space-saving to the best quality (they say “studio”, but it depends on your microphone). Alas, the app cannot make stereo recordings, even if you use an external stereo mic. The overall quality, though, is quite decent.

The records can later be played in any audio player, due to generic formats. You can also play them within the app. Alas, they only can be stored locally, with no option of cloud backup. Nevertheless, you can share the records manually via your cloud client apps.

The playback section is as advanced as that of many music players. You can adjust playback speed, repeat the record, play the next one automatically. You cannot add tags to your recordings, but you can give them custom names, and that part works for that.

Cross-Platform Use 3/5

The app is only available for Android (though there are analogs for iOS or even Windows Phone). On the other hand, it’s compatible with Android 4.1 or newer, and that embraces most Android devices in use in 2019. It doesn’t require root access, as it cannot record phone conversations (we’ll repeat it).

In-App Purchases

The free version of the app is as functional as the premium, but it’s ad-supported, and these video ads are long and inevitable. Unless you turn them off and switch to Voice Recorder Pro ($3.49). The premium version is available as a separate app; you can access its page on Google Play via Settings and reinstall. Along with no ads, Premium can start recording without a beep.

The Bottom Line

It’s an advanced recorder with no extras but lots of options when it comes to recording. Its only weakness (if it matters for you) is poor handling of external microphones. As for lack of phone call recording, it’s just not meant for that, and thus it doesn’t require root access.