Best Free Voice Recorder Apps for Interviews & PodcastsRecording clean, reliable audio is the backbone of any interview or podcast. Whether you’re a beginner conducting your first remote interview or an experienced podcaster building a weekly show, the right free voice recorder app can make a big difference in audio quality, workflow, and editing time. This article reviews top free options across platforms, offers tips for getting great recordings, and shows how to choose the best app for your setup.
Why a good voice recorder matters
Clear, well-recorded audio improves listener engagement and reduces time spent fixing issues in post-production. A quality app should offer:
- High-quality recording formats (e.g., WAV or lossless)
- Easy file export and sharing
- Basic editing/trimming tools or seamless integration with editors
- Background noise reduction or gain control
- Reliability (no unexpected crashes or dropped audio)
How I evaluated apps
I compared apps on:
- Platform availability (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web)
- Audio quality & formats
- Editing features (trimming, multitrack support)
- Ease of use for interviews/podcasts
- Export/share options and integration with podcast workflows
- Any limitations in free tiers
Top free voice recorder apps (by use case)
Audacity (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Best for full-edit control
Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor and recorder widely used by podcasters. It supports multi-track editing, high-quality WAV export, noise reduction, and extensive plugins. The learning curve is moderate, but it provides professional control without cost.
Pros: multitrack, powerful effects, export formats
Cons: UI a bit dated; not ideal for quick mobile recording
GarageBand (macOS, iOS) — Best for Apple users and easy multi-track
GarageBand is free on Apple devices and provides simple multitrack recording, basic mixing, and built-in loops. For interviews and podcasts, it’s easy to record multiple tracks, edit, and export to podcast-ready formats.
Pros: integrated with Apple ecosystem, easy to use
Cons: mac/iOS only
Voice Memos (iOS) — Best for quick mobile interviews
Voice Memos is built into iPhones and iPads. It’s excellent for fast, on-the-go interviews: record, trim, and share via AirDrop or cloud services. Audio quality is surprisingly good when using modern iPhone microphones.
Pros: native app, extremely simple, reliable
Cons: limited editing and export options for advanced use
RecForge II / Easy Voice Recorder (Android) — Best Android choices
RecForge II (powerful, supports WAV/FLAC/MP3) and Easy Voice Recorder (simple, reliable) are top Android picks. They provide high-quality recording options and basic editing. Choose RecForge II if you want finer control over formats and settings; pick Easy Voice Recorder for simplicity.
Pros: flexible formats (RecForge II), simple UI (Easy Voice Recorder)
Cons: free tiers may limit some advanced features
Zoom Cloud Meetings / Otter.ai (Cross-platform) — Best for remote interviews with transcription
Zoom offers built-in recording during calls; Otter.ai can record and transcribe conversations automatically. Zoom recordings can be saved locally or to the cloud; Otter.ai adds searchable transcripts and speaker labeling (free tier has limits). These are especially useful for remote interviews and for saving time on show notes.
Pros: integrated remote interview tools, auto-transcription (Otter)
Cons: free limits on recording duration or transcription minutes
Anchor by Spotify (iOS, Android, Web) — Best all-in-one for beginners publishing podcasts
Anchor allows recording, simple editing, and direct publishing to major podcast platforms. It’s geared toward podcasters who want an end-to-end free solution. Audio quality is adequate for many uses, though power users may prefer dedicated DAWs.
Pros: publish directly, easy interview recording (remote guests via link)
Cons: limited advanced editing; ownership/publishing preferences to consider
OBS Studio (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Best for recording interviews with video
OBS is open-source software known for live streaming, but it’s also excellent for multi-source audio recording (desktop + mic). If you record video interviews as well, OBS captures high-quality audio alongside video and is flexible with routing.
Pros: multi-source, customizable routing, free and powerful
Cons: more complex setup; overkill for simple audio-only recording
Recording tips for interviews and podcasts
- Use an external microphone when possible (USB or XLR). Even an inexpensive lavalier or USB condenser improves clarity over built-in mics.
- Monitor levels: keep peaks below 0 dB (aim for average around -12 to -6 dB).
- Record each speaker on a separate track when possible — easier to edit and fix issues.
- Minimize background noise: close windows, turn off appliances, and use a quiet room or portable vocal booth if available.
- Do a short test recording before the interview to confirm levels and clarity.
- Record a backup (e.g., local recorder or a second device) for critical interviews.
Quick workflow examples
- Solo podcast using GarageBand: record voice → trim silences → add intro/outro music → export as WAV/MP3 → upload to host.
- Remote interview via Zoom + local backup: run Zoom call and record to cloud, simultaneously record local high-quality audio in Audacity on host’s machine.
- On-the-go interview with iPhone: record with Voice Memos → trim basic mistakes → AirDrop to desktop → open in Audacity/GarageBand for final edits.
Choosing the right app for you
- If you need deep editing and full control: Audacity or GarageBand.
- If you record on mobile and want simplicity: Voice Memos (iOS) or Easy Voice Recorder (Android).
- For remote interviews with transcripts: Zoom + Otter.ai.
- For direct podcast publishing with minimal fuss: Anchor.
- For audio+video interviews: OBS Studio.
Final thoughts
There’s no single “best” free voice recorder for everyone — the right choice depends on platform, how much editing you need, and whether you record remote guests or in-person. Start with the app that matches your workflow and upgrade components (better mic, multitrack recorder, dedicated editor) as your show grows.
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