HandyRecorder vs Charango
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Charango
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Tune the charango, play it and learn it, all in one app. The tuner shows you the headstock and marks the peg to turn, four courses take you from holding it to real huayno and cueca, ten practice drills train your ear, hands and timing, 168 chords show you how each one sits on the charango's five courses, and a songbook of 37 songs puts them to work. Then it hands you the instrument. In Simulation the charango is on your screen: strum across the strings, or touch one to pluck it. • Tuner: the headstock on screen with the peg to turn marked, a live needle that never flashes "in tune" early, and nine tunings: temple natural, temple diablo, the transposed temples, and the ronroco and walaycho sizes • Songbook: 37 songs, huaynos, carnavalitos, pasillos, zambas and more, with the chords for every bar and a play-along • Learn: four charango courses (46 lessons), from your first strum to repertoire-level idiom • Practice: ten drills: ear training, melodic dictation, fretboard, intervals, chord changes, timing, rhythm, scales, sight reading and a strum trainer with Andean rhythms (huayno, saya, cachimbo, rin chilote, the repique and the chasquido) • Chords: 168 chords (12 roots, 14 types), up to three fingerings each, and Fingering: every grip finger by finger, with a drill to form the shapes • Simulation: a charango you can play, pluck a string, strum all ten or palm-mute the chasquido • Tools: metronome, drone, scales, chord and scale, circle of fifths, capo and transpose, practice recorder, overtones and String Health • 12 colour palettes, light and dark themes, left-handed mode Everything is included: no subscription, no account and nothing to buy inside the app. It all works offline, and Charango collects no data: see the App Privacy section on this page.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: HandyRecorder at Free against Charango's $7.99. HandyRecorder also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). Charango's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). On 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
HandyRecorder is free to download; Charango costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
HandyRecorder ships an update every 5 months, Charango every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HandyRecorder | Charango |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | 2.3 (115 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 20.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 115 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | ZOOM CORPORATION | ByteHaven Studios |
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
Charango
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
HandyRecorder
No in-app purchases
Charango
No in-app purchases









