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Head-to-head · Voice Note Apps

Apple Voice Memos vs Cleft

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Apple Voice Memos #3 in Voice Note Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Apple
Cleft #8 in Voice Note Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cleft

Apple Voice Memos leads on 0 checks, Cleft on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApple Voice Memos · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresApple Voice Memos · 3 of 4

Apple Voice Memos scores higher on our rubric for voice note apps: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Apple Voice Memos is the better fit for free, simple recording in the Apple ecosystem. Cleft is the better fit for apple users needing offline transcription.

  • Apple Voice Memos fits best

    Free, simple recording in the Apple ecosystem

  • Cleft fits best

    Apple users needing offline transcription

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Side by side

Feature Apple Voice Memos 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Cleft 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Voice Note Apps #8 in Voice Note Apps
Best for Free, simple recording in the Apple ecosystem Apple users needing offline transcription
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $39.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms iOS, macOS iOS, macOS
Support Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 5,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Apple Voice Memos 3/4 · Cleft 0/4
Transcription ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Voice reminders Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audio export ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Text export ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms iOS, macOS Not checked yet
Note organization Folders Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Records through built-in, Bluetooth, or compatible external microphones
  • Searchable transcripts, folders, favorites, and playback controls
  • Exports audio and syncs recordings across Apple devices with iCloud
  • On-device Whisper transcription works with offline recording.
  • AI creates structured notes, summaries, titles, and selectable output styles.
  • Apple integrations include Siri, Shortcuts, Widgets, and CarPlay recording.
Cons
  • Available only on iOS and macOS
  • Transcription depends on supported devices and regions
  • Focuses on audio notes rather than a broader set of AI note features
  • Available on iOS and macOS rather than broader platforms.
  • The free Basic plan does not include 30-minute recordings.
  • Custom AI instructions and third-party integrations require Cleft Plus.
Our verdict

Apple Voice Memos is a free voice-recording app for capturing personal notes, lectures, meetings, and musical ideas on iOS and macOS. It suits people who want a straightforward way to record and organize audio within the Apple ecosystem,…

Read the review →

Cleft is an AI voice-note app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and CarPlay. It records spoken thoughts, transcribes them on-device with Whisper, and turns recordings into structured notes with summaries, titles, and selectable output…

Read the review →
  1. Apple Voice MemosVoice Note Apps 9.0Free plan
  2. CleftVoice Note Apps 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apple Voice Memos — where it wins

    • Records through built-in, Bluetooth, or compatible external microphones
    • Searchable transcripts, folders, favorites, and playback controls
    • Exports audio and syncs recordings across Apple devices with iCloud

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on iOS and macOS
    • Transcription depends on supported devices and regions
    • Focuses on audio notes rather than a broader set of AI note features

  • Cleft — where it wins

    • On-device Whisper transcription works with offline recording.
    • AI creates structured notes, summaries, titles, and selectable output styles.
    • Apple integrations include Siri, Shortcuts, Widgets, and CarPlay recording.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and macOS rather than broader platforms.
    • The free Basic plan does not include 30-minute recordings.
    • Custom AI instructions and third-party integrations require Cleft Plus.
  • Apple Voice Memos9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free Apple recording app with useful editing, folders, iCloud sync, and transcription.

    Visit AppleFull verdict →
  • Cleft8.5/10 · Free plan

    A focused Apple voice-note app with offline transcription and strong note organization.

    Visit CleftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All voice note apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update