# Private Recorder vs Spy

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Private Recorder | Spy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (234 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-recorder/id1286814946/reviews) | **[4.5 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-hidden-camera-detector/id6443639758/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 234 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | **45.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 7 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pradeep Yadav](https://appshunter.io/developer/1123417966) | [6Hive OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537357804) |

## What reviewers say

### Private Recorder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-recorder/id1286814946)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade To Pro | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| Upgrade To Pro | $39.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads and Unlock Share | $23.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Spy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spy-hidden-camera-detector/id6443639758)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Membership | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Membership | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Spy Yearly Premium Membership | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium Membership | $39.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium Membership | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Bugs in the app
- Subscription issues
- Compatibility problems

**Requested features**

- Better instructions
- Free trial option


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*