Record, transcribe, then edit with rich text. Private, synced via iCloud. Plain text notes you can export anywhere.
Hit the button or ask Siri. Talk for as long as you need.
On-device. No upload, no internet required. Just text.
A clean note with a title, ready to edit. Saved to iCloud as plain text.
Most voice apps store audio or lock your notes in their cloud. Brain Dump gives you a written note in a file you own.
Transcription runs on your device. Audio never leaves your phone. AI features exist but they're optional and off by default.
Every note is a standard text file synced via iCloud. Works with Obsidian, iA Writer, or any editor. Delete the app — you keep everything.
Siri shortcuts, silence detection, background recording. Built for when your brain is faster than your thumbs.
Say it, save it, go back to sleep.
When ideas arrive faster than you can type.
Debrief while it's fresh. Searchable notes, not vague memories.
Point the app at your vault. Voice notes become Markdown.
| App | Brain Dump for iPhone and iPad |
| What it does | Record voice, get a clean written note |
| Storage | Plain text files, synced via iCloud |
| Offline | On-device transcription, works in Airplane Mode |
| Hands-free | Siri, silence filtering, background recording |
| Price | Free. Optional AI subscription for extras |
Pricing
Recording, transcription, editing, iCloud sync, Siri, and offline mode are all free.
Optional subscription adds AI cleanup, summaries, and action extraction.
“One of the smoothest note-taking experiences I've had. I just talk it out and it does the rest.”
“I went from overwhelmed to journaling without a second thought.”
“Fantastic for meeting notes and executive summaries. It handles the part that usually gets dropped.”
A writing app where you talk instead of type. You record, it transcribes on your device, and you get a clean, editable note. That's it.
No. The app has a rich text editor with bold, headings, lists — the usual. Notes are stored as plain text, but you don't have to think about that.
Yes. Point it at a vault in iCloud and your notes show up as .md files.
Yes. Transcription happens on your device using Apple's speech engine. No internet needed.
Voice Memos stores audio. Brain Dump gives you written text — titled, formatted, searchable, editable.
Recording, transcription, editing, iCloud sync, Siri, and offline mode are all free. Optional subscription adds AI rewrite, summaries, and action extraction.
Notes on voice, flow, and privacy.
The best free way to transcribe Voice Memos depends on your phone and your output needs. This guide compares Voice Memos, Notes, Live Captions, and Brain Dump's free path with current April 2026 context.
The best iPhone voice-to-text app depends on the job. This guide compares Apple Voice Memos, Notes, Brain Dump, Just Press Record, and Otter with current April 2026 context.
![Share iPhone Voice Memos to Text: Complete Guide [2026]](/og.png)
4 ways to convert Voice Memos to text on iPhone — iOS 18 built-in transcription, Share Sheet, Shortcuts, and Live Captions compared with timing tests.
In the time it takes to open a note app, you could have finished today's journal entry.
Free · Offline · No account
