Voice Memos is free, on every Apple device, and now shows a transcript. recd records your voice too, plus your meetings and your screen, and files everything in your Google Drive.
Voice Memos records your mic, transcribes on Apple silicon Macs and syncs through iCloud. recd records your voice, calls and screen and saves them to your Drive with notes.
| recd | Voice Memos | |
|---|---|---|
| Records your screen | Yes | No |
| Records meetings | Yes, both sides, in any call app | Not built for calls |
| Where your files live | Your Google Drive | Your Mac, synced through iCloud |
| Transcribed on your Mac | Yes, with Apple’s speech engine | Not stated |
| AI notes | Yes, written by your own Claude | Summaries through Apple Intelligence |
| Runs on | Mac (macOS 26) | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Free plan | Free while in beta | Built into macOS |
| Paid plan | None yet | Free |
Voice Memos prices from support.apple.com/guide/voice-memos/view-a-transcription-of-a-recording-vm4a03609f0d/mac, checked 20 Oct 2026. Prices change; check theirs before you decide. recd is free while in beta.
Yes, on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 15 or later, in supported regions.
Apple’s guides cover recording with your microphone. recd records both sides of a call.
In your Google Drive, as an .m4a with a transcript next to it.
Free while in beta. Your recordings stay in your Google Drive.