Free tool · 17 devices tracked
Compare AI recorders side by side
Pick up to three devices. Every row comes from manufacturer specs, verified reviews, or owner reports — dated August 2026, conflicts flagged rather than hidden.
PLAUD
PLAUD Note
HiDock
HiDock P1
Mobvoi
TicNote
| Spec | PLAUD Note | HiDock P1 | TicNote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observed retail* | $129–$159 | $169 | $99–$160 |
| Form factor | card | card | card |
| Subscription | Free 300 min/mo | No subscription needed | Free 600 min/mo |
| Free minutes/mo | 300 min/mo | Unlimited | 600 min/mo |
| Cheapest paid tier | $99.99/yr (Pro) | $155.88/yr (HiNotes Pro (optional)) | $79/yr (Pro) |
| 3-yr cost (free tier) | $159 | $169 | $160 |
| Transcription | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud |
| Phone calls | Yes | Yes | Placement only |
| Battery | 30 hrs continuous / up to 60 days standby [SPEC] | Unverified | ~25 hrs continuous, 470 mAh [SPEC] |
| Storage | 64 GB | Unverified | 64 GB (≈434 hrs) |
| Size & weight | 2.97 mm thin, ~30 g — fits in a wallet | — | — |
| Languages | 112 languages [SPEC] | 75+ languages [SPEC] | Unverified |
| Apps | iOS, Android, Web app | iOS, Android, HiNotes web | iOS, Android |
| Integrations | Notion, ChatGPT (MCP server), Zapier, Dropbox | HiNotes ecosystem | Live transcription, Shadow AI agent [SPEC] |
Strengths & trade-offs
PLAUD Note
Strengths
- Thinnest card format in the category — genuinely wallet-able
- Best-known call-recording workaround for iPhone via the magnetic case
- Mature app: speaker labels, summaries, Notion + ChatGPT export
- Recording itself is unlimited — only transcription is metered
Trade-offs
- Only 300 free transcription minutes/month; Unlimited costs $239.99/yr
- Cloud-only transcription — no offline option
- Owner reports of speaker-label errors and billing/support friction on Reddit
- 5-hour per-file transcription cap
⚠ Trustpilot shows 4.6/5 (~899 reviews), but Reddit contains recurring complaints about subscription value, speaker labels, and support. Weigh both.
HiDock P1
Strengths
- Strongest no-subscription value: unlimited transcription for life of device
- Unique Bluetooth-earphone method captures both call sides
- $169 total 3-year cost — cheapest credible card path
Trade-offs
- Battery/storage specs not clearly published
- Smaller brand than PLAUD/Anker
- Hardware design is bulkier than the ultra-thin cards
TicNote
Strengths
- 600 free minutes/month covers many students and light users entirely
- Live on-screen transcription while recording (PLAUD processes after)
- Pro at $79/yr for 2,100 min/mo is the cheapest paid tier anywhere
- ZDNet praised its travel/workflow utility
Trade-offs
- Brand presence and US retail availability trail PLAUD
- BGR questions subscription value for light users
- Earlier units shipped with a smaller 300-min free tier
Ready to check current buying options?
Amazon links below are paid links. We do not display live Amazon prices, stock, or star ratings here; verify the current offer and seller on Amazon before checkout. You can also use the manufacturer link for a second reference point. See our affiliate disclosure.
PLAUD Note
HiDock P1
TicNote
*Prices elsewhere in this comparison are observed retail figures from our August 2026 research, not live Amazon prices.