Best Free Tools for Mobile App Testers
The only tools you need to test mobile apps professionally: screen recording, annotation, device info, accessibility testing, and more. All free.
The essentials:Built-in screen recorder + built-in screenshot annotation + Settings → About for device info. That's genuinely all you need to start. Everything else here is an upgrade.
Screen recording
Built-in screen recorder (iOS / Android)
Both iOS (Control Center) and Android (Quick Settings) have native screen recorders. These are the most reliable option: no third-party app to install, no watermark, works with any app.
AZ Screen Recorder
Android screen recorder with no time limit, no watermark, and built-in video editor. Useful when you need to annotate a recording or trim before uploading.
Record It!: Screen Recorder
iOS screen recording with optional face camera overlay. Useful for UX testing sessions where verbal commentary needs to be combined with the recording.
Screenshot annotation
Markup (built-in iOS)
iOS's built-in annotation tool available immediately after taking a screenshot. Tap the thumbnail → Edit. Draw circles, arrows, and add text annotations before uploading.
Skitch by Evernote
Cross-platform annotation tool with arrows, shapes, text labels, and pixelate tool (useful for obscuring personal data in screenshots). Clean and fast.
Device information
AIDA64 (Android)
Comprehensive device information: exact hardware model, CPU, RAM, display resolution, Android version, baseband version. Essential for filling out device info in bug reports accurately.
Settings → General → About (iOS)
iOS Settings provides all required device info: model name, iOS version, build number. No additional app needed for basic device info.
Network testing
Fast.com
Measures real download and upload speeds in-browser. Useful for documenting the network conditions during testing: especially for reports involving slow loading or timeouts.
Network Cell Info Lite (Android)
Shows real-time signal strength, network type (4G/5G/WiFi), and carrier info. Useful for tests where network conditions affect behaviour.
Accessibility testing
VoiceOver (iOS)
Apple's built-in screen reader. Turn on: Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver. Use to test whether every interactive element in the app is reachable and labelled correctly.
TalkBack (Android)
Android's built-in screen reader. Enable: Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack. Essential for accessibility testing: use it to navigate through an entire app flow.
Accessibility Scanner (Android)
Google's app that overlays suggestions directly on your screen pointing out touch targets that are too small, missing labels, and low-contrast text.
Bug tracking (for personal notes)
Notion / Apple Notes / Google Keep
For keeping personal notes on bugs before writing formal reports. Useful for capturing quick observations mid-session without losing your flow.
Tools you don't need (and why)
New testers often look for specialised bug tracking apps, dedicated testing frameworks, or device farms. You don't need any of these for paid consumer app testing. The platform you test on provides the report format and submission process. Your job is: test on your device, capture evidence, file the report in the platform's interface.
Advanced tools like Appium, Charles Proxy, and Xcode Instruments are for developer-side testing and QA automation: not for the type of human testing that pays you per report.
Ready to put these tools to use?
Apply as a tester and use your device to earn $5–$35 per test. No tools to buy, no setup required beyond what you already have.