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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Voice Recorder vs Otter Transcribe Voice Notes

Voice Recorder 4.7★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner Otter Transcribe Voice Notes
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B) is the superior choice for serious transcription needs due to its higher accuracy, more robust features, and better support, despite its higher cost and occasional issues with subscription management.

Full reviews: Voice Recorder · Otter Transcribe Voice Notes

Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B) generally offers better transcription accuracy and more advanced features like AI summarization, making it ideal for professional and academic use, though some users find its pricing confusing and support lacking. Voice Recorder (App A) is plagued by basic functionality issues, aggressive paywalls, and poor reliability, making it a less dependable option despite some positive reviews for its simplicity.

Head to head

Transcription Accuracy edge: Otter Transcribe Voice NotesR16R25R31R46
Voice Recorder Some users praise App A for doing the "best possible job" with transcription, even with poor sound, and for its "smooth translation" R25R31. However, others report that the transcribed text is "full of errors" and cannot be edited, or that the app gets "stuck at 70%" during transcription R46R16.
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B receives high praise for its "superb transcription" and being the "best audio transcriber yet," with many users finding it "fairly accurate even in noisy environment with around 6 speakers" R67. It is called "excellent" and a "godsend" for deaf users R98. However, some recent reviews note "very bad translations" and "poor transcription" with words not matching the audio, and that it "churns out gibberish 80% of the time" .
Features and Functionality edge: Otter Transcribe Voice NotesR1R6R7R8
Voice Recorder App A is described as having "everything you need, nothing you don’t" and being "straight forward" R8. Users appreciate its ability to capture text from voice and use AI to organize and summarize information R43. However, significant issues include recordings stopping themselves after a few minutes R1R40, inability to export lists or summaries R7R20, recordings not playing back R10, and false advertising of features like voice-over capabilities R6. Some users also complain about not being able to edit transcribed text R46 or import videos .
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B is highly valued for its ability to save time, especially for students and professionals in meetings . It's praised for being a "life-changer" and a "game changer" for remembering information . Users highlight its usefulness for the deaf community, enabling participation in conversations and listening to radio R67R96R98. Requested features include auto-scroll during playback and the ability to add more recordings to an existing note . Some users report issues with the screen dimming during use and a recent update removing the full-screen live transcribe feature .
Ease of Use edge: Otter Transcribe Voice NotesR8R43R49R56
Voice Recorder App A is described as "straight forward" R8 and "super convenient" R43. However, some users find it "not user friendly" and struggle to locate recordings R49.
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B is generally considered "easy to use" and "just brilliant" . Users appreciate its straightforward interface for dictation . However, some find the app "very confusing" due to its cost structure and a lack of options like enlarging font size for those with poor vision R56.
Reliability and Performance edge: Otter Transcribe Voice NotesR1R7R10R14
Voice Recorder App A has significant reliability issues, with recordings stopping randomly R1R40, features like export or summary generation failing R7R20, and the app sometimes not recording or playing back at all R10R14. Users also report the app getting stuck during transcription R16.
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B generally performs well, with users calling it "brilliant" and "excellent" . However, some users report the app "not working properly" , recordings failing to start , and a decrease in transcription quality after updates . There are also reports of paid subscriptions not being recognized, leading to loss of access to features R66R70R75.
Price and Value tieR3R4R9R12
Voice Recorder App A is heavily criticized for being a "cashgrab" and "crazy expensive" R4R12. Users feel scammed, noting that basic features are locked behind a paywall after only a few recordings R3R12. Many complain that the app is "not free" and forces subscriptions, even for features that Apple already provides R9R22R24. Some users report being charged despite trying to cancel .
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B is considered "way way too expensive" by many users, especially for journalists and students . Users are frustrated by the "very confusing cost structure," where free minutes are lost upon subscription and paid plans have limited uploads or minutes R54. There are complaints about subscription prices increasing while minutes decrease . However, some users are "happy to pay for a good app" R54 and find it an "impressive but expensive" tool , especially given its benefits for content creation and accessibility .
Customer Support tieR7R14R20R23
Voice Recorder App A users report a complete lack of support, with FAQs not opening and no way to contact developers for issues or refunds R7R14R20. Some users struggle to cancel subscriptions R23.
Otter Transcribe Voice Notes App B users frequently report poor or non-existent customer service, especially when dealing with subscription issues. Multiple users state that despite paying for upgrades, their accounts remain basic, and emails to support go unanswered for weeks R66R70R75. One user explicitly states, "App great customer service is rubbish never responds" .
Pick Voice Recorder if

You need a very basic voice recording app and are willing to navigate aggressive paywalls and potential reliability issues, or if you only need very short recordings and don't mind the limitations of the free tier R3R8R43.

Pick Otter Transcribe Voice Notes if

You require accurate transcription for meetings, lectures, or content creation, especially if you are a student, journalist, or have hearing impairment, and are prepared to pay for a subscription despite its cost and occasional support issues R67.

Evidence note: App A has a significant number of generic 5-star reviews that offer little specific information, making it challenging to discern concrete positive attributes beyond general satisfaction. Many of App A's negative reviews are focused on the aggressive paywall and basic functionality issues, while App B's negative reviews often pertain to pricing, subscription management, or recent quality dips after updates.

Frequently asked

Is Voice Recorder (App A) truly free?
No, Voice Recorder (App A) is not truly free; many users report that after only two or three recordings, or even upon opening the app, it forces them to pay for a subscription to access basic features, leading to complaints that it's a "cashgrab" R3R12R22R24.
Can Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B) help with hearing impairment?
Yes, Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B) is highly praised by users with hearing impairment, who report that it allows them to participate in group conversations, understand meetings, and even listen to radio, calling it a "godsend" and a "life-changer" R67R95R96R98.
Are there issues with subscriptions for Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B)?
Yes, several users of Otter Transcribe Voice Notes (App B) report significant issues with subscriptions, including paid upgrades not being recognized, losing free minutes upon purchasing a subscription, and being charged despite account limitations, with many complaints about unresponsive customer service regarding these problems R54R66R70R75.
Does Voice Recorder (App A) have reliable recording functionality?
No, Voice Recorder (App A) does not have reliable recording functionality, with multiple users reporting that recordings cut off after a few minutes, fail to start, or do not play back after being recorded R1R10R14R40.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 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. [R16] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US Stuck at 70% in transcription: Intentando transcribir una entrevista y la app se detiene al 70 % y no avanza. No se que problema tiene la app, pero no ha transcrito ni una nota de voz
  2. [R25] Voice Recorder 5/5 · US Transcript- original personal recording, not great sound but Voice Memos did the best possible job.: I would recommend.
  3. [R31] Voice Recorder 5/5 · US Kim Cooper Biz meeting: Awesome recording it’s a smooth translation
  4. [R46] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Cannot edit text: I don’t need to edit the audio.. I want to edit the text. The audio transcribes to text but it’s full of errors! You can put in punctuation or change something that doesn’t make sense. I’m extremely disappointed! I wish I could get a refund as I wasn’t able to try it first.
  5. [R1] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Length of recording: I downloaded this app for class lectures. When I press record and leave the phone alone, it seems to only record a few mins before stoping itself. Useless
  6. [R6] Voice Recorder 3/5 · US Works as intended, although with some flaws.: So, I know this is somewhat similar to the default voice memos app that everyone has, but i feel like I’ve been scammed someway. I saw on an advertisement for this app specifically on YouTube, that you’re able to voice over your own previous recordings, yet I don’t have that option.
  7. [R7] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Not always good: I bought this app to help me take accurate notes. The app says I can export the list or summary but when I try to do this nothing happens! So tried to open the FAQs to see if I something wrong. But the FAQs don’t open. I would appreciate hearing from the developer.
  8. [R8] Voice Recorder 5/5 · US Maravillo: Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Straight forward and straight forward. Nuff said
  9. [R43] Voice Recorder 5/5 · US Super convenient: Very useful to have this not only capture text from voice, but Al AI to organize and summarize the info
  10. [R49] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Not User Friendly: Can’t even find some of the recordings I’ve dictated.
  11. [R56] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 3/5 · GB Font size: This app has no option to enlarge font size in the basic form and i cannot see anything that suggests it is possible in pro either so not suitable for those with poor vision
  12. [R10] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US Recorder: Uninstall this, it recorder but would not play!
  13. [R14] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US Doesn’t Work: I downloaded this app and tried to use it for recording of meeting notes. Tried to use it twice and and it just kept saying retry. There’s nowhere on the app itself to even reach report a concern or issue to anyone, get help or to leave a comment. So I pretty much just ended my subscription and moved on. I only lost $6.99, but thought this would be something that I could use in the f
  14. [R3] Voice Recorder 3/5 · US Annoying: I mean it’s good but like bro after 2 recordings they literally just blast you with saying like get premium now like it’s so annoying bro
  15. [R4] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Cost: Crazy expensive!
  16. [R9] Voice Recorder 3/5 · US I don’t like how it costs money: 3
  17. [R12] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US Cashgrab for something that apple ALREADY HAS: They make you pay for more than 3 per day? and have barely any new features, it's literally a rip off of a tool that's already there, unbelievable.
  18. [R20] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US Nothing will generate: I would like to find some person to contact. I did a few recordings and every time I try to do a summary or get notes from it it just says an error recurred and I try over and over and over.
  19. [R23] Voice Recorder 5/5 · US End trial subscription: I want end the trial subscription. turns out I don’t need it. I do not want to be charged for subscription. Thankyou
  20. [R22] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US A rubbish App: It won’t allow you to use any feature without money. This app is useless. DONT pay your money here
  21. [R24] Voice Recorder 1/5 · US DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME: So, I am looking for apps to record instruments, right, and I download this one, right. I hop into it and scroll through a little intro about what you can do, but then it shows me that I need to pay for it. I’ve been scrolling through this for hours and all of them you have to pay for! DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!
  22. [R67] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 5/5 · GB Empowering deaf community: I am hearing impaired and Otter has allowed me to participate in group conversations for the first time in my life. It has been fairly accurate even in noisy environment with around 6 speakers, and it catches the voices from all around the table. I’m really grateful to the developers and please don’t stop making the app better! It would be amazing if usability can be ext
  23. [R95] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 5/5 · GB Very useful: Not perfect but picks up speech well on Zoom. Helps considerably because I am very very deaf.
  24. [R96] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 5/5 · GB Brilliant for deaf: Im deaf and now I can listen to Radio 4! (Better programming than modern TV)
  25. [R98] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 5/5 · GB Makes note taking incredibly easier esp I’m deaf!: A godsend this app!
  26. [R54] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 1/5 · GB Don't purchase until: Don't purchase at least until you have used up their free trial allowance. Because as soon as you paid for the subscription, the free minutes will all be lost, and yet the paid version only allow you 1200 minutes a month, woth no option to purchase extra time, so effectively you've lost 20% worth of minutes. I am not complaining about the subscription price, as I'm happ
  27. [R66] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 1/5 · GB Otter: I bought an upgrade and in the process of paying out a considerable amount I lost 3 hours of recordings of an important client. Not only that, but the app won’t recognise the upgrade despite the money being debited. Despite multitude emails being sent after more than a week no one has got back to me. Disappointing to say the least! Not even sure who to apply to fit the refund at this point!
  28. [R70] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 1/5 · GB Extremely poor: paid for very expensive monthly fee and membership has not been updated to pro so cannot use when needed
  29. [R75] Otter Transcribe Voice Notes 5/5 · GB Waste of time and money: Paid for yearly subscription and was billed but app never upgraded. Despite paying monthly subscription. Waste of my time and money
  30. [R40] Voice Recorder 2/5 · US Recordings Cut Off: The recordings will just stop randomly and cause you to miss key parts of the meeting.

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store