# Audio Memos SE vs Smart Recorder and transcriber

The clearest difference is rating: Audio Memos SE at 4.6 against Smart Recorder and transcriber's 3.7. Audio Memos SE also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 38%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Audio Memos SE sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Smart Recorder and transcriber sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Audio Memos SE holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 453 and 480 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Audio Memos SE's written reviews are positive against 38% of Smart Recorder and transcriber's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Audio Memos SE | Smart Recorder and transcriber |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (453 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-memos-se-voice-notes/id304075033/reviews)** | [3.7 (480 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-recorder-and-transcriber/id700878921/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 453 | **480** |
| Positive reviews | **63.9% of reviews** | 38.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 59 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Imesart S.a.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/290160983) | [Roe Mobile Development](https://appshunter.io/developer/312941047) |

## What reviewers say

### Audio Memos SE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-memos-se-voice-notes/id304075033)

Record high-quality audio memos with advanced features like volume boost, normalizing, and editing. Easily manage, back up, and share your recordings. Offers transcription and cloud storage with a subscription.

**Highlights:** High-quality audio recording, Volume boost and normalizing, Recording editing, Cloud storage integration, Transcription to text, WAV format storage

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Audio Memos Pro Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Audio Memos Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Audio Memos Pro+ Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Audio Memos Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Audio Memos Pro+ Yearly | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Good sound quality
- 📝 Useful for recording meetings/lectures
- 💡 Convenient for capturing ideas/notes
- 🗓️ Timestamps recordings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes/freezes on some devices
- 🔒 Limited file transfer/sharing options
- 💰 Paid version required for advanced features
- 📤 Difficulty transferring recordings to computer
- 🔇 Poor volume/amplification

**Reported bugs**

- Recordings disappearing after updates
- Inability to transfer recordings from free to paid version
- Ads interrupting recordings

**Requested features**

- Add editing tools (trim, split, merge recordings)
- Improve file management (organize, rename recordings)
- Integrate with cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Enhance playback controls (rewind, fast-forward)
- Enable background recording


### Smart Recorder and transcriber

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-recorder-and-transcriber/id700878921)

Easily record, transcribe, and manage audio. This app offers advanced features beyond basic voice memos, including background recording, variable speed playback, and searchable transcriptions. Enhance your recordings with editing and voice enhancement options.

**Highlights:** Background recording and playback, Variable speed playback with pitch correction, Searchable machine transcriptions, Tagging and picture marking, Email/export recordings, Trim/edit audio (in-app purchase)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No advertising | $1.99 | one-time |
| Trim Capability | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full Edit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Syfx audio boost | $1.99 | one-time |
| Machine Transcription for 30 days | $3.99 | one-time |
| Voice Processing | $7.99 | one-time |
| Siri Transcription | $9.99 | one-time |
| All Features Upgrade | $14.99 | one-time |
| Full Export | $17.99 | one-time |
| All Features | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Convenient to use
- 🚀 Easy to record and playback
- 👍 Dependable and reliable
- 🚀 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Great for recording meetings and lectures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Recordings disappearing or getting corrupted
- 💰 Paywall for basic features like exporting
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Unreliable transcription and export functionality
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with sharing recordings

**Reported bugs**

- Recordings stopping unexpectedly
- Login screen issues
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- Inability to recover deleted recordings

**Requested features**

- Ability to trim and edit recordings
- Improved cloud/backup integration
- Better support for wireless headphones
- Transcription with time stamps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Audio Memos SE free?

Audio Memos SE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Smart Recorder and transcriber free?

Smart Recorder and transcriber is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Audio Memos SE or Smart Recorder and transcriber?

Audio Memos SE is rated higher. Audio Memos SE averages 4.6 out of 5 from 453 ratings, while Smart Recorder and transcriber averages 3.7 from 480 ratings.

### Do Audio Memos SE or Smart Recorder and transcriber have ads?

Both Audio Memos SE and Smart Recorder and transcriber show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Audio Memos SE or Smart Recorder and transcriber?

Audio Memos SE ships an update every 6 weeks, and Smart Recorder and transcriber every 6 weeks. Most recently, Audio Memos SE was updated on November 1, 2026 and Smart Recorder and transcriber on October 26, 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.*