# SpeechToText Memo vs Lightning Notes

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: SpeechToText Memo at 16.6 against Lightning Notes's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SpeechToText Memo ships an update weekly, Lightning Notes every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SpeechToText Memo | Lightning Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Size | 11 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [nz-sw](https://appshunter.io/developer/502363484) | [Chihiro Otsuki](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879208814) |

## What reviewers say

### SpeechToText Memo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speechtotext-memo/id6739190768)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lightning Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-notes-ai-recorder/id6761365061)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SpeechToText Memo free?

SpeechToText Memo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lightning Notes free?

Lightning Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SpeechToText Memo or Lightning Notes have ads?

Both SpeechToText Memo and Lightning Notes show ads.

### Which is updated more often, SpeechToText Memo or Lightning Notes?

SpeechToText Memo ships an update weekly, and Lightning Notes every 5 days. Most recently, SpeechToText Memo was updated on October 25, 2026 and Lightning Notes on October 25, 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.*