10 Free Voice Recorder Apps Every Mac User Should Know in 2025
- Aisha Washington
- Sep 24
- 11 min read
Here are 10 free voice recorder apps for Mac you should know in 2025: remio, Audacity, GarageBand, Voice Memos, Easy Audio Recorder Lite, Ocenaudio, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder, Descript, WavePad, and Ardour. You might want a voice recorder to record music. You can use it to make podcasts. It helps you keep notes from meetings. You can also save voice memos. The table below shows what most Mac users want when picking an app.
App Name | User Need |
remio | Unlimited online & offline meeting with locally transcripts. |
Audacity | Audio recording and editing |
Ardour | Detailed audio enhancement |
Macsome Audio Recorder | Capturing calls and conferences |
GarageBand | Music creation |
AudioNote | Educational content creation |
Key Takeaways
Check out 10 free voice recorder apps for Mac. Some examples are Audacity, GarageBand, and Voice Memos. Try to find the one that works best for you.
Pick apps that are easy to use. Make sure they have good sound quality. They should also work well with your Mac. This will help you record better.
Think about special features like AI transcription in remio. Editing tools in Descript can help you do more. These features can make you work faster and be more creative.
Choose an app that fits your needs. You might use it for music, podcasts, meetings, or quick voice memos.
Try a few apps to see which one you like most. Pick the one that feels easy and does what you need.
Top 10 Voice Recorder Apps
Quick List
Here are 10 free voice recorder apps for Mac in 2025: remio, Audacity, GarageBand, Voice Memos, Easy Audio Recorder Lite, Ocenaudio, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder, Descript, WavePad, and Ardour. You can use these apps for music, podcasts, meetings, or voice memos. Each app gives Mac users something special.
Why These Apps Are Recommended
You need a voice recorder that works well for you. These apps are on the list because they meet important needs:
Ease of Use: The interface is easy to understand and simple to use.
Compatibility: Every app works with new Mac computers and macOS.
Recording Quality: You can record clear sound, even in lossless formats.
Multitrack Support: Some apps let you record and mix many tracks.
Export Flexibility: You can save recordings in different formats or send them to the cloud.
Hardware Integration: These apps work with good microphones and other devices.
Tip: If you want more than basic recording, pick apps with AI features or advanced editing tools.
Some apps have special features to help you do more with your recordings. For example, Voice Memos lets you record high-quality audio and sync with iCloud. Otter.ai gives you AI transcription and can tell who is speaking. Here is a quick look at some special features:
App Name | Unique Features |
remio | Unlimited free for online or offline meeting, processed transcriptions locally, keep your own data & privacy |
Dolby On | Studio-quality sound, automatic enhancement, audio effects, video recording, live streaming |
AI transcription, speaker identification, editable transcripts, collaboration, keyword filtering | |
Rev | Human transcription, high accuracy, sharing, collaborative editing, cloud storage |
Voice Record Pro | Customization, multiple formats, advanced editing, cloud integration |
CocoonWeaver | Hands-free recording, AI-powered enhancement, text-based editing, multitrack recording |
You can pick the best voice recorder by matching the features to what you need.
Best Voice Recorder Features
Sound Quality
You want your recordings to sound clear. Good sound helps you hear every detail. This is important for music, meetings, or memos. Many apps let you pick different audio formats. Some apps use lossless formats. These keep the sound close to the original. Using a good microphone makes your recordings better. Some apps can lower background noise. They also have settings for different places.
Ease of Use
A simple design saves you time. You can start recording fast. You do not need to look for buttons. Many people like Voice Memos for its easy design. You can start, stop, and manage recordings with a few clicks. Ocenaudio is also easy to use. It has strong features but is not confusing. Pick a voice recorder that feels easy to use.
The tool’s design is very simple, so you can learn it quickly.
Voice Memos is easy to use. You can start, stop, and manage recordings easily.
Ocenaudio is made for people who want simple tools that still work well.
Tip: If you feel good using the app right away, you will probably use it more.
Export Options
You may want to share your recordings. You might use them in other projects. Export options are important. Some apps let you save files in many formats like MP3, WAV, or AAC. Some apps let you send files to the cloud or email. You can also edit recordings before you export them. Good export options help you work faster and keep files neat.
Mac Compatibility
Your voice recorder should work well with your Mac. Most top apps work with new macOS versions. Some people have problems after big updates. Old audio software may not work on new macOS. Some workstations and plugins, like Cubase, Studio One, and ProTools, do not work with the newest system yet. Always check if the app works with your macOS before you install it.
App Reviews
1. remio
Overview
You can use remio to record and organize audio. The app uses AI to help you transcribe meetings or lectures. Remio gets information from places like Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs. You can search your recordings fast and find key points using normal words. Remio also lets you save web pages and summarize YouTube videos.
Description | |
Upload Capability | You can upload audio or video files with ease. |
Summarization | Remio makes long talks or sessions shorter for you. |
Theme and Keyword Extraction | The app finds themes and keywords by itself. |
Organization of Recordings | You can organize and search old recordings. |
Best Use Cases | Good for lectures, conference talks, Zoom calls, and interviews. |
Educational Benefits | Remio helps you focus and learn better. |
Pros
AI helps with transcription and meeting summaries
Fast search for notes and recordings
Gets info from many places
Unlimited voice recording and transcription
Summarizes web pages and videos
Cons
Some advanced features may take time to learn
2. Audacity
Overview
Audacity is a popular voice recorder and editor for Mac. You can record live audio and edit tracks. The app has many effects you can use. It supports lots of file types and works on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. You can use Audacity for music, podcasts, and voice memos.
Description | |
Compatibility | Works on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. |
Audio Quality | Supports WAV and AIFF files, up to 192 kHz and 32-bit depth. |
Multitrack Editing | Edit more than one audio track at the same time. |
Wide Format Support | Change between many audio file types. |
Editing Tools | Use simple and advanced editing tools. |
Noise Reduction | Remove background noise and clicks. |
Real-time Preview | Hear effects before you use them. |
Recording Capabilities | Record live audio easily. |
Pros
Edit more than one track
Real-time effects and filters
Removes noise and finds silence
Works with many plugins
Free and open-source
Cons
Interface may be hard for beginners
Some users report reliability problems
Leaves temporary files on your computer
3. GarageBand
Overview
GarageBand comes with most Macs. You can record music, podcasts, and voice memos. The app has many loops and virtual instruments. You can edit more than one track and use built-in effects. GarageBand is good for beginners and experienced musicians.
"Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell made their famous album with GarageBand. This shows the app can be used for professional music."
Pros
Easy for beginners
Record and edit many tracks
Lots of loops and instruments
Apple updates it often
Works well with Mac and iOS
Cons
Not as advanced as professional DAWs
Only works on Apple devices
4. Voice Memos
Overview
Voice Memos is a simple voice recorder for MacOS. You can record, organize, and share audio files. The app is easy to use and works well for quick memos, meetings, and reminders.
Strengths | Limitations |
Easy to use | Recording quality may not always be great |
Good tools for organizing recordings | Needs enough storage space |
Can send messages without talking live |
Pros
Very simple to use
Quick recording and sharing
Organizes recordings well
Good for notes and reminders
Cons
Recording quality depends on your microphone
Long recordings use lots of storage
5. Easy Audio Recorder Lite
Overview
Easy Audio Recorder Lite is a small voice recorder app for Mac. You can record audio and it does not use much space. The app saves files by itself and is good for simple jobs.
Easy Audio Recorder Lite is light and needs little space. It is great for people with less storage on their Mac.
Pros
Uses very little space
Simple and easy to use
Saves audio files automatically
Cons
Few editing features
Basic export choices
6. Ocenaudio
Overview
Ocenaudio is an easy voice recorder and editor for Mac. You can make quick edits and use effects right away. The app looks clean and is good for simple projects.
Feature | Description |
Intuitive interface | Easy for everyone to use |
Real-time effects | Hear changes as you edit |
Multi-selection editing | Edit many parts of a file at once |
Spectrogram view | See and study audio in detail |
Pros
Simple and clean look
Preview effects in real time
Good for quick edits
Works well on older computers
Cons
Only edits one track at a time
Not enough features for big projects
7. AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
Overview
AnyMP4 Screen Recorder lets you record audio, video, and your screen. You can pick from seven recording modes and change the area and size. The app can record for a long time and has tools for trimming, merging, and changing files.
Feature/Limitations | Description |
Recording Modes | Seven modes, like Screen Recorder and Audio Recorder |
Customization | Pick the recording area and size |
Audio Capture Options | Record system sound, microphone, or both |
Picture-in-Picture | Add webcam video easily |
Recording Duration | No limit on how long you can record |
Scheduled Recordings | Set up recordings and auto-stop |
Advanced Trimmer | Split and edit recordings |
File Merger and Converter | Combine and change files to different types |
Pros
Many ways to record
No time limit for recording
Good tools for managing files
Can schedule recordings
Cons
Interface may look busy
Some features need extra setup
8. Descript
Overview
Descript is a voice recorder and editor for podcasts and transcription. You can record, transcribe, and edit audio and video by changing text. The app removes filler words and lets many people edit together.
Feature | Description |
Podcast transcription | Fast and accurate, matches words with audio |
Overdub | Add sentences by typing into the transcript |
Filler word removal | Removes 'um' and 'uh' for you |
Edit video by editing text | Easy video editing |
Audiograms | Make visual clips of episodes |
Multi-user editing | Work together with a team |
Audio auto-leveling | Makes audio levels match automatically |
Multitrack recording | Record more than one track at once |
Affordable | Good price for podcasters |
Pros
Accurate podcast transcription
Easy editing by changing text
Removes filler words for you
Lets teams work together
Cons
Only works for English transcription
Needs internet to work
Editing tools may be hard to learn
9. WavePad
Overview
WavePad is a free voice recorder and audio editor for Mac. You can record, edit, and add effects to audio files. The app works with many formats and is good for music, podcasts, and voice memos.
Pros
Works with many audio formats
Easy to add effects and edit
Good for music and podcasts
Free if you do not use it for business
Cons
Some advanced features cost money
Interface may look old
10. Ardour
Overview
Ardour is a strong voice recorder and digital audio workstation. You can record, edit, and mix many tracks. The app works with plugins and is good for music and podcasts.
Pros
Powerful multi-track recording and editing
Works with many plugins
Good for making music
Free for basic use
Cons
Harder to learn
Needs more computer power
Comparison Table
Choosing the right voice recorder app for your Mac can feel overwhelming. You want to see the differences at a glance. This table helps you compare the top 10 free voice recorder apps for Mac in 2025. You can check which app fits your needs best.
Tip: Look for the features that matter most to you, such as AI transcription, easy export, or multi-track editing.
App Name | Sound Quality | Ease of Use | Export Options | Mac Compatibility | AI Features | Best For |
remio | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, WAV, TXT, PDF | ✅ | ✅ | Meetings, Notes, lecture |
Audacity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, WAV, OGG | ✅ | ❌ | Music, Editing |
GarageBand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | AAC, MP3, AIFF | ✅ | ❌ | Music, Podcasts |
Voice Memos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | M4A, iCloud | ✅ | ❌ | Memos, Reminders |
Easy Audio Recorder Lite | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | M4A, AAC | ✅ | ❌ | Quick Notes |
Ocenaudio | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, WAV, OGG | ✅ | ❌ | Simple Editing |
AnyMP4 Screen Recorder | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, MP4, MOV | ✅ | ❌ | Screen, Audio |
Descript | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, WAV, TXT | ✅ | ✅ | Podcasts, Transcripts |
WavePad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | MP3, WAV, FLAC | ✅ | ❌ | Music, Podcasts |
Ardour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | WAV, AIFF, OGG | ✅ | ❌ | Music Production |
Sound Quality: More stars mean better audio.
Ease of Use: More stars mean the app is easier to use.
Export Options: Shows the main file types you can save.
Mac Compatibility: All apps work with the latest macOS.
AI Features: Apps with AI tools for transcription or summaries.
Best For: Shows the main use case for each app.
You can use this table to match your needs with the right app. If you want AI-powered transcription, try remio or Descript. If you need simple recording, Voice Memos or Easy Audio Recorder Lite work well. For music, GarageBand or Ardour give you more control.
Choosing the Right App
Match Features to Needs
You want an app that fits your daily tasks. Start by listing what you need most. Do you want to record music, podcasts, meetings, or voice memos? Check if the app offers clear sound, easy controls, and good export options. Some apps have AI tools that help you transcribe and organize recordings. If you need unlimited recording or fast search, look for those features.
Tip: Write down your top three needs before you choose. This helps you focus on the right app.
For Music Recording
If you record music, you need high sound quality and multi-track support. GarageBand gives you loops and instruments. Ardour lets you mix many tracks and use plugins. Audacity works well for editing and effects. These apps help you create and edit music easily.
App | Best For | Special Feature |
GarageBand | Beginners, Musicians | Built-in instruments |
Ardour | Advanced users | Multi-track mixing |
Audacity | All levels | Audio effects |
For Podcasts
Podcasters need easy editing and transcription. Descript lets you edit audio by changing text. You can remove filler words and add new sentences. Audacity and WavePad also help you edit and export podcasts. If you want AI transcription, Descript is a smart choice.
Note: Try Descript if you want to save time editing your podcast.
For Meetings
Meetings often need fast transcription and organization. Remio uses AI to transcribe and summarize meetings. You can search your notes quickly and find key points. Remio also collects information from tools like Slack and Gmail. If you want unlimited recording and smart summaries, remio is a strong option.
For Voice Memos
You may want to record quick notes or reminders. Voice Memos is simple and easy to use. Easy Audio Recorder Lite saves files automatically. Both apps work well for short recordings and memos. You can organize and share your recordings with just a few clicks.
Tip: Use Voice Memos for fast notes and reminders.
You have learned about the top 10 free voice recorder apps for Mac. Each app offers unique features. You should try a few to see which one matches your needs. Focus on sound quality, ease of use, and compatibility.
Share your favorite app or experience in the comments. Your feedback helps others make smart choices!
FAQ
How do you choose the best voice recorder app for your Mac?
You should list your main needs first. Check if the app records clear sound, offers easy controls, and supports your Mac. Try a few apps to see which one feels best for you.
Can you use these apps for school or work projects?
Yes, you can use these apps for class notes, interviews, or meeting summaries. Many apps help you organize and share recordings. Some even offer AI tools for fast transcription.
Do you need an internet connection to use voice recorder apps?
Most apps record audio offline. Some, like remio or Descript, need the internet for AI transcription or cloud syncing. Always check the app’s requirements before you start recording.
What file formats can you export your recordings in?
You can export recordings in formats like MP3, WAV, M4A, or AAC. Some apps let you save as text or PDF if they support transcription. Check the export options in the app’s settings.
Are these voice recorder apps safe to use on your Mac?
You should download apps from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or official websites. Read user reviews and check permissions. This helps you keep your Mac safe from harmful software.
