Comparison

HandyRecorder vs CharangoPalette

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

CharangoPalette

This app simulates strumming for charango and ronroco instruments, offering real recorded sounds for Andean folklore rhythms. It helps users find chords for any key, build custom strumming patterns, and sequence accompaniments, all while providing a focused playing experience.

Highlights
  • Strumming simulator for charango and ronroco
  • Real recorded instrument sounds
  • Diatonic and secondary chord suggestions
  • Customizable strumming patterns
  • Accompaniment sequencing
  • Chord chart display with capo suggestions
Features
Read full description

Any key, every fingering on one screen. Build a progression, hear real charango backing. Charango Palette is a chord chart and strumming simulator for the charango (and the ronroco, the baritone charango). Just pick the song's key on the circle of fifths and the palette fills with the chords and fingerings for that key, along with a suggested capo position and instrument. Press a card and it strums with the sound of a real charango recorded note by note; lay out a chord progression and rhythm patterns, and the app plays the accompaniment and exports it as audio. ■ Pick a key, get the chords for the song Tap the key on the circle of fifths and the palette fills with the diatonic chords plus the usual secondary chords. The app also suggests standard or baritone and where to put the capo. No more puzzling over how to play a song in Cm. ■ Press a card, hear the real thing Turn on play mode and every chord card strums when you press it. Press the right side of a card for a downstroke and the left side for an upstroke; the higher you press, the stronger the strum. 316 real samples, recorded note by note from a charango and a ronroco, with low latency, so playing along at tempo feels good (Bluetooth audio adds delay). ■ Play folklore rhythms as they are Turn on pattern play and the strumming pattern loops for as long as you hold a card, stopping when you let go. 64 presets across 14 genres: huayno, cueca, bailecito, carnaval, tobas, diablada, morenada, tinku, caporal, zamba, taquirari, chuntunqui, chacarera and saya. Change the tempo on the spot, and put a Mute card on the palette to play the rhythm on left-hand muted strings. ■ Build a progression, get an accompaniment Put chord changes and pattern switches on a piano roll and let the app play them back. Set the tempo, bar count, meter (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8), a count-in before playback and the loop range. Save as many songs as you like by name. Export the accompaniment as WAV (24-bit) or M4A and hand it to Files, AirDrop, Messages and more. You may use the exported audio freely in your own work (videos, streams, songs), including commercially (redistribution as a sample pack is not allowed). ■ 686 chord shapes, plus your own Search for the chord you are curious about and hear exactly that fingering. Chord diagrams can show left-hand finger numbers, and you can register your own shapes with a name and put them on the palette. When you have a shape but not its name, the app suggests the chord names that fit. ■ Focus mode: nothing but the cards Tap Focus on the palette and the chord cards fill the screen. Scrolling and editing are off, so a stray touch can't get in the way. Switch patterns with the buttons at the bottom and change the tempo at the top. ■ Build your own patterns Enter down/up and partial strokes, repique, chasquido, golpe, tapa and accents on a step grid, then loosen it up with early/late timing, swing and humanize. 8th, 16th and triplet grids; length from half a bar up. You can also duplicate a preset and adjust it. ■ Also • Tuner (A4 reference pitch adjustable) • Optional degree names, diagram size • iPhone and iPad, portrait or landscape • Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese • Recorded with a NEUMANN KM184 microphone No account, no network. Everything stays on your device; nothing is collected or sent.

Screenshots

HandyRecorder4 screens
CharangoPalette4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CharangoPalette at 100% against HandyRecorder's 21%. CharangoPalette also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). HandyRecorder's advantage is price (Free vs $7.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

HandyRecorder is free to download; CharangoPalette costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HandyRecorder ships an update every 5 months, CharangoPalette weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
HandyRecorder versus CharangoPalette: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandyRecorderCharangoPalette
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating2.3 (115 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings115 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB51 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperZOOM CORPORATIONSatoshi Nishikawa

Customer experience

HandyRecorder

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

CharangoPalette

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

CharangoPalette

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HandyRecorder

No in-app purchases

None

CharangoPalette

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HandyRecorder free?
HandyRecorder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CharangoPalette free?
CharangoPalette costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do HandyRecorder or CharangoPalette have ads?
Neither HandyRecorder nor CharangoPalette shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HandyRecorder or CharangoPalette?
HandyRecorder ships an update every 5 months, and CharangoPalette weekly. Most recently, HandyRecorder was updated on October 23, 2026 and CharangoPalette on October 26, 2026.

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