Top 4 Mobile Apps
for Recording Audio Notes

Photo Credit: @plqml // felipe pelaquim

Capture Your Thoughts Wherever You Are

I don’t know about you, but I get ideas at all hours of the day.

When I have a new brilliant thought, I don’t want to lose it. So, I have located the best mobile apps for recording ideas on-the-go.

Some of my best ideas come about when I am talking. Sure, I get great ideas when I’m writing down my thoughts too, but there is something magical about speaking that makes ideas come to life.

Also, as a guy who loves David Allen’s Getting Things Done system, I find that getting ideas out of my head and into a trusted system is the best way to free up my brain for creative endeavors.

Top 4 Mobile Apps for Recording Audio Notes

NOTE: All of these mobile apps are available on iOS devices and there are very similar apps available on Android devices as well.

1. Siri

Siri, the built-in voice assistant on iOS devices, may be the best solution for a few reasons. First, Siri is already built-in to your iPhone or iPad. Secondly, the hands-free nature of taking audio notes is hard to beat.

With Siri you can record a transcribed email or text message and send it wherever you’d like, all without using your hands in many scenarios. I love sending emails to my task manager, Nozbe. I describe this process in detail on my previous article:

A Hands-Free Method to Remember a Brilliant Idea On-the-Go.

For a true hands-free experience, you can just say, “Hey Siri”, and record your message. For most iOS devices you need iOS 8 or higher and to be plugged into a power source to use this feature, but it is now available without being plugged in on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

2. Super Notes

If you are a college student and want to record your class lectures, or if you attend a lot of meetings and would rather capture the audio now and listen to it later, Super Notes may be your new best friend.

I find this app super handy for recording long-form audio and playing it back later. Plus you can take notes in the app while the recording is taking place. This makes it ideal during a speech or meeting when you would like to take notes and not miss a single word.

The free version of the app lets you take a few notes with full functionality, but you will want to buy the pro version if you intend to use this app in the long run.

3. Dragon Dictation

Dragon Dictation is well-known as the best desktop app for dictating long form letters, emails, and even whole books. Their free mobile app is a solid dictation tool when used in the right context.

Based on my own usage and after reading many reviews, it appears that the best scenario for this mobile app is when you want to record and transcribe a series of short notes. This app is not designed for use in the car or for a hands-free situation, so using it at home or in the office is best.

4. Say it & Mail it Recorder

The Say it & Mail it Recorder was my first mobile audio note-taker and I still find it very useful, though I have moved on to using Siri 99% of the time.

This app is great for recording your own voice and emailing yourself the recording. It doesn’t provide transcription, so this app is best when you need to actually hear the recording.

I also used to record my notes while driving and then email myself in the car. Honestly, that’s not the safest option because it’s not totally hands-free, but it can work. This app is not free, but as of this writing it only costs $1.99.

Choose One or Choose Them All

Normally I would recommend you pick one app and make it your go-to resource. However, as you can see with the capabilities of each app, you may want to use a different app for every unique scenario you find yourself in.

You could use Siri in the car, Super Notes in the classroom, and Dragon Dictation at home. The key is to choose apps that record your voice without any major technical hurdles.

When in doubt, keep it simple. That’s why I tend to use Siri 99% of the time, and I opt for another app when the right opportunity strikes.

Next Week

On the blog next week I will be sharing the best mobile apps for typing notes on-the-go.