Comparison

HandyRecorder vs R

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

Head to head
About

HandyRecorder

Record high-quality audio on your iOS device with advanced editing and effects. Easily share your creations to cloud services like SoundCloud and iCloud. Optimized for ZOOM iQ series microphones.

Highlights
  • Stereo linear PCM and AAC recording
  • AUTO REC function
  • 6 BAND EQ, REVERB, MASTERING effects
  • NORMALIZE and DIVIDE functions
  • Direct upload to SoundCloud
  • iCloud Drive Auto Sync
Features
Read full description

The HandyRecorder app allows you to record high-quality audio with your iOS device. Use it with a ZOOM iQ series mic, which are designed to capture audio of the best quality with iOS devices, and record using the high-fidelity linear PCM and space-saving AAC formats. This app includes normalize and divide functions that can be used on recorded files. In addition, it has compressor, EQ and reverb effects. Moreover, you can directly upload your recordings from Handy Recorder to the iCloud and SoundCloud file-sharing site, allowing you to bring your creations to the world over the Internet. Features ■ Stereo linear PCM and AAC recording -You can record files using either high-quality linear PCM format or AAC format at a bit rate of 64, 128 or 160 kbps. -The AUTO REC function can be used to start and stop recording automatically in response to the input signal level. ■ Works like a hardware recorder -The operation screen was designed to simulate a ZOOM hardware Handy Recorder, so this app is as easy to operate as these products. ■ Effects -Recorded files can be processed using the included effects. •6 BAND EQ •REVERB (ROOM, JAZZ CLUB, CONCERT HALL, ARENA, STADIUM) •MASTERING (MAXIMIZE, ULTRA MAXIMIZE, CLEAR & POWER, WIDE, MONO) -Pro+C8cessed recordings can also be saved as separate files. -Use the NORMALIZE function to optimize the volume. ■File editing -In addition to deleting files, you can use the divide function to split files at the point that you want. ■Uploading to Cloud Services -The app includes a function that allows you to upload your recordings directly to the SoundCloud audio-sharing site. You can name your recordings and make sharing settings in the Handy Recorder app. -iCloud drive is supported. Not only uploading selected file manually, but also “Auto Sync” function allows you to upload automatically soon after REC finished. ■Optimized for the iQ series -By using the iQ5/iQ7 in MS recording mode, you can adjust the stereo width. -Select from three iQ5's AUTO GAIN settings (CONCERT, SOLO, MEETING) according to the application.* -Use the DIRECT MONITOR function to monitor the input signal through the headphones jack on the iQ series without latency -The left and right channels of the iQ series input signal can be reversed.* *These setting are saved in the iQ series mic itself and will be applied when using it with other apps. For more information, please visit our website. www.zoomcorp.com

About

R

Control your Roland R-07 Hi-Res Audio Recorder remotely via Bluetooth from your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Manage recordings, adjust levels, add markers, and select scenes even when the recorder is out of reach.

Highlights
  • Remote record/playback control
  • Input/output level adjustment
  • Marker creation and navigation
  • Scene selection and settings editing
  • Song selection for playback
  • Link settings management
Features
Read full description

R-07 Remote is an application that can remotely control Roland’s Hi-Res Audio Recorder "R-07" from iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch via Bluetooth. R-07 Remote allows you to manage recordings and ensure what’s being recorded is exactly what you want, even while the R-07 is in its prime recording location, and out of reach. Main Functions • Control record/playback • Check and adjust input/output levels • Add markers and move between markers • Select scenes and edit settings • Select a song for playback • Make link settings

Screenshots

HandyRecorder4 screens
R4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: R at 3.4 against HandyRecorder's 2.3. HandyRecorder's advantage is ratings volume (115 vs 5) and review sentiment (21% vs 13%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

R holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HandyRecorder has 115 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 21% of HandyRecorder's written reviews are positive against 13% of R's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HandyRecorder ships an update every 5 months, R every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HandyRecorder versus R: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandyRecorderR
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (115 ratings)3.4 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.6% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings115 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB8 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperZOOM CORPORATIONRoland Corporation

Customer experience

HandyRecorder

All ratings115 ratings
Positive26.1%
Neutral8.7%
Negative65.2%
Written reviews374 reviews
Positive20.6%
Neutral14.7%
Negative64.7%

R

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral80.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral50.0%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

HandyRecorder

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • No microphone access permission on iOS 12+
  • Recordings have buzzing/crackling noise
  • Playback issues on Bluetooth devices
  • Inability to record in stereo mode on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Bluetooth headphone monitoring
  • Improve file sharing options (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
  • Implement ability to rename recorded files
  • Optimize interface for larger iPhone screens

R

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HandyRecorder

No in-app purchases

None

R

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HandyRecorder free?
HandyRecorder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is R free?
R is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HandyRecorder or R?
R is rated higher. HandyRecorder averages 2.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while R averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.
Do HandyRecorder or R have ads?
Neither HandyRecorder nor R shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HandyRecorder or R?
HandyRecorder ships an update every 5 months, and R every 6 months. Most recently, HandyRecorder was updated on October 23, 2026 and R on October 14, 2026.

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