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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

Voice recorder

45
Value score / 100 Worth paying? No Skip it

This app offers good recording quality for free, but its aggressive and intrusive ads make it difficult to use and diminish its overall value, even with a paid option that has its own issues.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $32.99 4.6★ lifetime (25,544) since 2018

Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen is praised for its excellent audio quality and ease of use for recording, with many users finding it reliable for various purposes R3R6. However, the free version is heavily criticized for its overwhelming, full-screen, and sometimes malicious ads that often prevent app usage or lead to scam websites R1R2R4R5. The paid 'Pro' version, while removing ads, introduces new problems like not playing through Bluetooth and not transferring existing recordings, making it a poor value proposition R74R83R85R101.

Free vs paid

The free version offers good recording quality, unlimited recording time, and ease of use R3R6R34. However, it is plagued by frequent, full-screen, and often unclosable ads, some of which are suspicious or lead to scam websites R1R2R4R5. There are also complaints about recordings randomly stopping, not saving, or files being deleted R5R11R14. The paid 'Pro' version is intended to remove ads, but users report that it installs as a separate app, does not transfer existing recordings from the free version, and often fails to play audio through Bluetooth, a feature that works in the free version R74R83R85R101. Some users also report still seeing ads even after paying for the Pro version R46.

Value complaints

  • The free version has an overwhelming number of full-screen, intrusive, and often unclosable ads that make the app difficult or impossible to use.R1R4R5R7
  • Some ads are suspicious, claim viruses, or lead to scam/adult websites, posing a security risk.R2R8R9R10
  • The paid 'Pro' version installs as a separate app, does not transfer existing recordings from the free version, and has issues with Bluetooth playback that the free version does not.R74R83R85R101
  • Some users report still getting ads even after paying for the Pro version.R46
  • The app is considered overpriced for a simple recording function, with developers asking for a subscription.R30
  • The paid version is described as '簡陋' (simple/crude) compared to the free version, suggesting a lack of value.R65

Where it delivers

  • The app provides excellent audio quality, picking up sounds clearly even from a distance.R3R6R34R54
  • It is easy to use with a big record button and simple interface.R6R32R51R54
  • The app allows for unlimited voice recordings.R3R34R103
  • It is reliable for long recordings and works with the screen off.R53R232
  • It supports multiple file formats.R15R56
Worth paying if

It is not worth paying for this app due to significant issues with the paid version, including loss of existing recordings and Bluetooth playback problems R74R83R85R101.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip this app if you need a reliable recording tool without intrusive ads or if you require consistent functionality like Bluetooth playback for paid features R1R5R7. Users who are concerned about battery drain should also skip this app R19R26R33R45.

Evidence note: The evidence for monetization issues is strong and consistent across many reviews, indicating a significant problem with the ad experience and the value of the paid version. While there is praise for core recording functionality, it is often overshadowed by these issues.

Frequently asked

Does Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen have ads?
Yes, the free version of Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen has a significant amount of full-screen, intrusive, and often unclosable ads that many users find disruptive and make the app hard to use R1R4R5R7.
Is the paid version of Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen worth it?
No, the paid 'Pro' version is generally not considered worth it because it installs as a separate app, does not transfer existing recordings from the free version, and users report issues with Bluetooth playback that work fine in the free version R74R83R85R101. Some users also report still seeing ads after paying R46.
Does Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen drain battery?
Yes, several users report that Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen drains battery quickly, with one user stating a 1-hour recording used 40% of their battery and another noting 90 minutes of recording completely drained their phone R19R26R33R45.
Can Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen record in the background or with the screen off?
Yes, the app works with the screen off, which users appreciate R232. However, some users report it stops recording if they switch to another app R53R78.
Are there issues with saving or losing recordings in Voice recorder by Hieu Nguyen?
Yes, multiple users have reported issues with recordings not saving, randomly stopping, or being deleted, leading to loss of important audio R5R11R14R43.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] 1/5 · US No cancel for ads: They put up pop ups with no way to get rid of them. I checked all corners, I sat on the app for 10 min waiting for it to vanish, I swiped from every side, I long pressed. My recordings are being held hostage by an ad for an AC company
  2. [R4] 3/5 · US Rich with Ad’s: Simple product work as expected but has ads popping up in full screen. I’m okay with them on a part of the screen just not full screen. Some of the Ads are also clickbait as if something was detected wrong with your phone.
  3. [R5] 1/5 · US No longer usable: Used to be a solid app. Then the ads started getting very aggressive and hard to click out of. But now it will just randomly stop recording after under 30 seconds. Moving on.
  4. [R7] 3/5 · US Intrusive ads getting worse: I get this is ad supported but there are more full screen timed ads than those annoying games like Homescapes! It’s gotten to the point where it’s hard to use.
  5. [R2] 1/5 · US App corrupted?: App opened to suspicious ads claiming my iPhone had been infected
  6. [R8] 1/5 · US Dangerous connections: I downloaded this app and opened it. It immediately connected me to an Adult website and then directed me to a phone cleanup app. It’s all a scam. Stay away from!
  7. [R9] 1/5 · US The ads ugh: This app is fine for what it’s for, but the ad for the porn site is really bad. I’ll be deleting this app and reporting it to the App Store due to the presence of children in your porn site ad.
  8. [R10] 1/5 · US Viruses: Has a virus pop up ad that is driving me crazy. Recorder works fine but when I pull it up I get this notice that I have all these viruses. Just a scam ad.
  9. [R74] 2/5 · US Pro Version: The pro version does not play over my Bluetooth. The free version does, why? Is a fix coming, seriously needed
  10. [R83] 4/5 · US App Won’t Connect to Bluetooth Speaker: I love this app as it is great for quickly recording musical ideas when I get them. One frustrating problem that I am having is that it won’t work with Bluetooth speakers for some reason… I have the Pro (ad free) version. Hope this gets fixed soon…
  11. [R85] 3/5 · US Great But…: I love this app so I bought the premium version to get rid of the ads. The paid version doesn’t playback with Bluetooth so I’m using the free version which for some reason does. I hope the developers fix this bug!
  12. [R101] 4/5 · US Pay version is terrible: The free version works perfectly. You get some ads, but when you try to upgrade to the pro version with no ads, you lose all your files that you’ve already recorded on the free version and there is no way to bring them in to the newer version. It installs a second app on your phone rather than to just update the free version. For some reason mine also does not play on Blue
  13. [R46] 5/5 · US Works great: Been using it for years but I just wish there was more info on it. I searched YouTube for tips but nothing comes up. I paid for pro but I still seem to get ads and I can’t figure out how to edit. Anyways I’ll still give it 5 stars because it’s free and records all my conferences well.
  14. [R30] 1/5 · US Greedy developers: They want a subscription for a simple recording app! C’mon! Get believable! It’s a $2.99 app at best.
  15. [R65] 1/5 · US The free version is better than the paid version: I tried the free version and thought it was good enough to buy the paid version, but then I found the paid version to be very rudimentary... Isn't that a rip-off? · translated
  16. [R3] 5/5 · US I love this app!: It works so good and the audio is so good! You get to record as much as you want and go back to listen to it.
  17. [R6] 4/5 · US Great, but…: This is actually a great app. The sound quality is excellent. I love the big record button. Very easy to use. However, the pause button should be bigger. And there should be a way to pause and rewind while recording before saving in order to make changes, Instead of having to save, or delete, and start over over. Overall, I use this app more than the other two that I have, strictly be
  18. [R34] 5/5 · US Excellent app: This app let u record unlimited voice and its so clear all time, recommend
  19. [R54] 5/5 · US Great App: Very user friendly. Recording quality is great
  20. [R32] 5/5 · US My favorite!: Easy to use, and easy to find all your recordings!
  21. [R51] 5/5 · US Good App: Simple and does the job. Thank you!
  22. [R103] 5/5 · US ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: This app really is one of a kind , you can record as many times as you want , ready convent to practice on before actually hitting the studio I recommend this app to all my fellow peers
  23. [R53] 5/5 · US Long recordings, but hard on the battery: I love this app, for being able to easily download the files onto my computer and make long recordings. I preferred when the app stayed on during dictating text messages and such. now it turns off if I move to any other program/page. I’d prefer that it turns off when I decide to turn it off.
  24. [R232] 3/5 · US Satisfied: The app works with the screen off and I can really appreciate that.
  25. [R15] 5/5 · US Useful: Sufficient for meeting recordings, supports multiple formats, currently considered quite good among similar apps. · translated
  26. [R56] 3/5 · US Good, but intrusive ads.: Has great options and features that I need in a voice recorder app (multiple file formats/etc), but has annoying ads that pop up every now and again. I’d happily pay a single fee to remove them, but no option exists.
  27. [R19] 1/5 · US Battery Drain: 1 hour recording used 40% of my battery
  28. [R26] 3/5 · US Everything is good except battery: I’ve been using it to record a class voice, after class ending I saw my phone battery is about 13% !! I know iPhone batteries are bad but not like that!
  29. [R33] 2/5 · US Drains battery: Records well, but drains battery super fast, as in 90 min recording will completely drain battery from a full charge. Similar app on android could run at least a day and half before getting low battery level.
  30. [R45] 1/5 · US Phone super hot when using this app: This app uses too much battery power to the point my phone is super hot when use this app. The battery runs down to 0% in 2 hours, not a good app. None of other apps turn my phone hot.
  31. [R78] 3/5 · US 90% useless to me: Idk if it’s different in android. On iPhone, it never lets you record when you get off the app, it stops recording as soon as you get out. Most of my recording is done when I’m off the app. So it’s useless for me. I wanted to give 0 rating but it actually records but that is no different from other apps
  32. [R11] 1/5 · US Bad surprise: Randomly stopped recording some time before crucial info that should have been recorded but wasnt. Disaster
  33. [R14] 1/5 · US Are you kidding me: Immediate ad avalanche. Wouldn’t store recording Toral waste
  34. [R43] 3/5 · US somewhat useful: It is basic and it helps with simple tasks of recording, but somehow files were deleted when not properly exiting the app and cannot retrieve.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store