# SoundLevel: Decibel Reading — user reviews > 139 indexed App Store user reviews of SoundLevel by Smudge Apps Ltd, rated 3.00/5 from 4 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundlevel-decibel-reading/id315782620/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundlevel-decibel-reading/id315782620.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1 ## What do users think of SoundLevel? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Free to use - 👍 Simple and easy to use - 👍 Good for approximate readings - 👍 Works on older devices (some users) - 👍 Useful for basic sound checks - 👍 Can be helpful for neighbor complaints **Cons** - 👎 Inaccurate readings - 👎 Consistently reads 70db - 👎 Poor accuracy compared to professional meters - 👎 Ads are intrusive - 👎 Free version is limited - 👎 Paid version offers little improvement - 👎 Not reliable for serious measurements - 👎 Many users report it doesn't work - 👎 Graphics are not appealing - 👎 Needle is all over the place **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on export to CSV - Crashes immediately on opening (latest version) - Inaccurate readings (consistently 70db, breathing at 70db, talking at 90db) - App doesn't work for many users - Freezes or blocks at certain dB levels (e.g., 70db, 90db) - Doesn't work on iPod Touch without a microphone - Ad banner is annoying - Requests to upgrade to paid version are intrusive **Most requested features** - Digital display for readings - Peak hold function - Ability to capture or pause readings - More advanced features in Pro version - Display Max value reached - Provide analytical graphs over time - Allow testing Pro version for a day - Add averaging and recent history features - Larger scale display ## Newest reviews (17 of 139) ### 2/5 — It works but.... *2020-02-16, version 2.0.2* YOU HAVE TOO FREAKING PAY TO SIMPLY CHANGE A FREAKING COLOUR! ### 2/5 — Crashes on export *2017-04-10, version 2.0.1* I upgraded to pro specifically to be able to export to CSV but it crashes every time I try to use it. Totally useless to me. Please fix the bug or refund me. ### 2/5 — Spoilt by adds *2013-06-02, version 1.0.2* Ticka adds across the top spoil a handy app. ### 3/5 — Good but... *2012-02-07, version 1.0.2* Previous version worked ok. It was not too accurate but gave good guidance. Sadly the latest version crashes immediately on opening. This is an iOS3x vs iOS4x fault. It needs the coding tweeking for older systems - please? ### 3/5 — Worked fine *2011-12-20, version 1.0.1* It was fine for me, it worked fine and was accurate, but it takes up so much space that I had to delete it. ### 4/5 — Good app *2011-06-15, version 1.0.1* Nicely done app, does what it claims to do. ### 4/5 — Good *2011-01-02, version 1.0.1* It's free and it works, better than the other free ones. ### 3/5 — Limite, peu precis *2010-10-16, version 0* Mieux que rien qd meme... ### 4/5 — Simple but does exactly as advertised *2010-10-06, version 0* Worth the small change to upgrade to Pro ### 1/5 — Horrible *2010-09-19, version 0* No more explanation needed ### 1/5 — Joke *2010-08-26, version 0* This app doesn't even work. ### 1/5 — Pffff *2010-08-23, version 0* De la teube ### 3/5 — Pretty good *2010-08-16, version 0* Not the most accurate but good for free app :) ### 4/5 — Great free app *2010-07-25, version 0* It does what it says on the box and it's free. It's not hugely accurate but you get what you pay for. ### 3/5 — A savoir *2010-06-21, version 0* Ne peux pas fonctionner pas avec un iPod Touch car sans microphone. A moins d'avoir un casque avec micro ? (non testé) ### 1/5 — Sans intérêt *2010-06-04, version 0* Aucune précision. Seulement une aiguille qui se ballade. ### 4/5 — Basic sound meter, works on 3GS *2010-06-02, version 0* Well, it's free, and gives me just what I need: the decibel rating of the sound. It works fine on my iPhone 3GS, directly from the built-in microphone. It's free, so I'm not asking for much--and it works, so I'm happy :) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Useless *2015-04-10, version 1.0.2* When will Apple learn, what's the point of putting an app it's site that just don't work? Useless!!! Take these useless things off and stop wasting people's time. ### 1/5 — No furula! *2013-04-30, version 1.0.2* Por más que le intente al demo no opero, parece solo gancho para el pro. ### 1/5 — Lot's of lag time, not very accurate. *2012-12-11, version 1.0.2* Used this meter while chaperoning a high school dance. It did not work very well. As a physicist I also had an Extech dedicated meter. This app never matched the Extech. Even with obvious changes in loudness (song stopped) the meter did not change its reading. Downloaded Decibel 10th and it worked much better. ### 1/5 — NG *2012-12-11, version 1.0.2* My doctor told me to use it seemed to work for TWO times that's all I will delete it and look else where ### 1/5 — Witz *2011-12-22, version 1.0.1* Dieser app ist ein echt schlechter scherz...es zeigt bereits bei niederem geräuschpegel 70db an ... ### 1/5 — A joke? *2011-11-05, version 1.0.1* I tested it in a GnR concert. Amazingly in and out of the arena its the same level of Db. ### 1/5 — No way *2011-08-03, version 1.0.1* I sniffed and it read 70 decibels. ### 1/5 — Not accurate *2011-03-14, version 1.0.1* Please, don't even waste your time with this app. Look elsewhere. ### 1/5 — Inaccurate? Understatement of the year. *2011-01-06, version 1.0.1* According to this my breathing is70db and me talking is 90 db. I just did science at school today and we were doing sound. A pneumatic drill is 90db and people talking are 49db so this is entirely inaccurate ### 1/5 — Fake App!! *2010-11-18, version 0* Don't waste your time on this app. I hardly ever write any reviews but felt compelled to write this one. This app is a fake, it doesn't work, I wasn't expecting miracles for free but come on 70 decibels being registered on an iPod touch with NO microphone attached!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Accurate. Easy. Wonderful *2011-03-12, version 1.0.1* Measurement of dB levels corresponds very well with my professional dB meter. Surprisingly accurate. Much better than other apps I tried. If u want a numerical reading upgrade to pro version. Kudos. ### 5/5 — Scrutinize w/ your own tests!! Awesome! *2010-09-29, version 0* Turn on your "shop vac" That's about 70db I "tested/tried" this app because I run a WVO centrifuge in my neighborhood garage. I also have my 37" Vizio blaring (so I can hear it over the centrifuge). Well I'm thinking about moving my operation to the back of my place, yet need "quiet" so not to upset neighbors. This thing was 100% spot on for my noise tests!!! I gave it 5-10 relative tests. Always coming back to the centrifuge to calibrate. Spot-on! ### 5/5 — Great Free App *2010-06-10, version 0* I dont know why people are rubbishing this,any decibel meter wont give a constant exact reading unless you're in a sound proof lab.I tried this with turning the stereo up & it read around 85db,closer to speaker circa 100,then as it came to a lul in the track it lowered to above 30 then rose again.For the people it doesnt work for i can only imagine they've miss-handled theyre device.I wouldnt suppose it's the most accurate in the world but it works perfectly fine and gives a good reading.great lil app for a freebie ### 5/5 — Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooll *2010-05-11, version 0* Mt loko da pra reclamar com os visinhos, te ajuda na hora de reclamar e e gratuito PERFECT ### 5/5 — Good App *2010-05-03, version 0* Does exactly as I expected... Can't understand the negative reviews... Reccomended... ### 5/5 — Awesome App *2010-04-27, version 0* I can easily say that this is 1 of the best Apps I've ever used when shopp for products as a Gamer / Airbrush Artist...... Thanks guys. ### 5/5 — Great app *2010-01-17, version 0* Very accurate ### 5/5 — Love it!!!! *2010-01-05, version 0* Was about to run sound and forgot my db meter at home. I got on the app store down loaded this app and it saved me. It works great!!!!! ### 5/5 — J aime *2009-11-09, version 0* Cohérent avec des valeurs en atelier carrosserie auto ### 5/5 — Indispensable *2009-10-13, version 0* Cette application est indispensable pour qui cherche à rapidement évaluer le niveau sonore dans un environnement, sa précision est bien suffisante, car ce que l'on souhaite en général c'est savoir si on est en dessous de 30 dB (silencieux), vers 50 (discussion), au dessus de 70 dB (limite à partir de laquelle on dérange les voisins), 90 dB (les dégâts commencent pour les voisins). --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*