Comparison

Private Recorder vs Spy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Private Recorder

Record audio and video discreetly and store it securely within the application. This tool offers password protection and file management options for your recordings. It's useful for documenting important conversations, lectures, or meetings.

Highlights
  • Record audio and video
  • Secure password protection
  • Organized file listing
  • Rename and delete files
  • Proof of conversations
Features
Read full description

Private Recorder provides a unique functionality to record conversations, meetings, and other audios/videos and store in a secret place inside the app. 
 Key features - 
*Record whatever you want. *Saved files are listed in the order of recorded date/time. *Secure recordings with a generic password screen.
 *Always has proof of key conversations “just in case.” *Delete or Rename file names so that you can save it with your choice. *Quite useful in the following situations: - during negotiations for important contracts - at crime scenes - during lectures or meetings
 And more important if you like the application, don’t forget to add/update your reviews.
 Thank you for your liking! Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew (at the duration selected) unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://tinyurl.com/28wr5nst

About

Spy

This app uses advanced network scanning to detect hidden cameras in your vicinity with high accuracy. It identifies suspicious devices transmitting data and can help you locate them. Protect your privacy by scanning Wi-Fi networks for unauthorized surveillance equipment.

Highlights
  • Detects hidden cameras with 99.9% accuracy
  • Scans Wi-Fi networks for suspicious devices
  • Identifies cameras transmitting data
  • Helps locate hidden cameras
  • Advanced network tooling
Features
Read full description

Hidden Camera Finder is the only tool with 99.9% accuracy of detecting spy cameras! Our engineers have developed advanced network tooling to detect hidden cameras in your network. How does it work? Make sure you’re connect to the Wi-Fi network of the place you are visiting and tap on ‘Start Scanning’ and let our tool do the work. Our algorithm will scan your network and find out any device that is online. Using our advanced technology, the cameras will be marked as suspicious on the list. It will detect any cameras which are transmitting data to its owner or creating records. You can even connect to the hidden camera and locate its position! Premium Subscription info: Price: - Auto-renewable subscription : 1 Week - Per Week ($4.99), 1 Year - Per Year ($19.99) - One-time Purchase ($49.99) - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Your account will be following your plan, within 24 hours before the end of the current period. - You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings any time after purchase. - This price is for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. Privacy Policy: https://revoo.studio/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://revoo.studio/terms-of-service.html

Screenshots

Private Recorder3 screens
Spy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Spy at none against Private Recorder's shown. Spy also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Private Recorder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per 6 months and Spy sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 234 and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Private Recorder's written reviews are positive against 45% of Spy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Recorder ships an update every 5 months, Spy every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Private Recorder versus Spy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate RecorderSpy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (234 ratings)4.5 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews45.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2341.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB26 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPradeep Yadav6Hive OU

Customer experience

Private Recorder

All ratings224 ratings
Positive74.6%
Neutral6.7%
Negative18.8%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative50.0%

Spy

All ratings1,110 ratings
Positive85.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive45.3%
Neutral5.7%
Negative49.1%

User reviews

Private Recorder

From 234 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great simple app
  • 👍 Works as intended
  • 👍 Very easy and functional
  • 👍 Good recorder
  • 👍 Password protection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Recordings have no sound
  • 🐛 App stops recording when screen is off
  • 🐛 App stops recording when switching apps
  • 🐛 Noticeable recording indicator
  • 🐛 No way to delete recordings

Spy

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Amazing app
  • 🔒 Great for security
  • 💡 Useful for finding hidden cameras

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work
  • 💰 Pricey
  • 🚫 Scam/fraud

Bugs and requests

Private Recorder

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • Recordings have no sound
  • App stops recording when screen is off
  • App stops recording when switching apps
  • Noticeable recording indicator
  • No way to delete recordings
Show 18 more
  • No way to erase recordings
  • Paid for Pro, still asking to upgrade
  • Audio files have no sound
  • Cannot share recordings
  • App doesn't always play back recordings
  • Video recording doesn't work
  • Not secret, no black screen option
  • Useless silent sound feed
  • Takes money, doesn't work
  • App would likely have dangerous consequences for anyone using it to record privately
  • Horrible service
  • Scam alert
  • Unreliable
  • Not working properly
  • Use less
  • Camera only opens
  • Needs more development
  • Doesn't record with screen locked

Requested features

11 requests
  • How to share or delete recordings
  • Suppress orange mic indicator light
  • Set different app icon/name
  • Add a tracker for recordings
  • Keep recording secretly while screen is locked
Show 6 more
  • Make everything on the app free
  • Restore deleted voice recordings (recycle bin)
  • Continue recording while phone is off
  • Develop video recording for iPhone screen lock
  • Option for black screen while recording
  • Ability to use camera on lock screen

Spy

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Bugs in the app
  • Subscription issues
  • Compatibility problems

Requested features

2 requests
  • Better instructions
  • Free trial option

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Private Recorder

Subscriptions2
  • Upgrade To Pro$19.996 Months
  • Upgrade To Pro$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads and Unlock Share$23.99
6 purchases

Spy

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Premium Membership$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium Membership3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Spy Yearly Premium Membership$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Premium Membership$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Premium Membership$39.99
  • Lifetime Premium Membership$59.99

Questions

Is Private Recorder free?
Private Recorder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spy free?
Spy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Private Recorder or Spy?
Spy is rated higher. Private Recorder averages 4.1 out of 5 from 234 ratings, while Spy averages 4.5 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Private Recorder or Spy have ads?
Private Recorder shows ads; Spy does not.
Which is updated more often, Private Recorder or Spy?
Private Recorder ships an update every 5 months, and Spy every 4 weeks. Most recently, Private Recorder was updated on October 24, 2026 and Spy on October 24, 2026.

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