# SPL Meter — user reviews

> 168 indexed App Store user reviews of SPL Meter by Andrew Smith, rated 4.10/5 from 27 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 19 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 5

## What do users think of SPL Meter?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✅ Accurate sound level measurements when calibrated
- 💰 Excellent value at $0.99 price point
- 📱 Works across multiple Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
- 🎯 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🔧 Analog meter design looks professional and authentic
- ⚙️ Customizable settings (A/C weighting, fast/slow response)
- 🎛️ Useful for home theater calibration and audio setup
- 👨‍💻 Responsive developer support and quick bug fixes
- 📊 Reliable relative measurements for comparative testing
- 🔊 Sensitive microphone picks up even faint sounds

**Cons**

- 🐛 Inconsistent and unstable meter readings
- 💳 Pricing discrepancies (advertised as $0.99 but charged $6.99)
- 📐 UI scaling issues on various screen sizes and orientations
- 🔍 Text and meter display too small to read easily
- 🖼️ Outdated retro interface design
- ⚠️ Accuracy issues at low frequencies with built-in microphone
- 🎨 Blurry interface after updates
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions and devices
- 🔄 Screen rotation causes display glitches and crashes
- ⚡ App crashes on certain device models

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Meter readings change completely and are not stable
- App crashes on iPhone 6s Plus with jumbled screen display
- Screen scaling issues on iPad models
- Display glitches when rotating device between portrait and landscape
- Greyed out settings after installation
- Blurry UI and low resolution after updates
- App fails to respond or shows 999dB reading
- Incompatibility with iOS 8 and iOS 10.3.2
- Screen only fills bottom-left corner of display
- Microphone not responding with external mics
- Feedback/screeching with certain external microphones

**Most requested features**

- Larger meter display in landscape mode
- Digital-only display option without analog meter face
- Peak hold and min/max reading indicators
- Time-based decibel graph visualization
- Linear response visual option in addition to logarithmic
- Lighter display theme for outdoor readability
- Larger digital numbers for better visibility
- Data capture and note-tagging functionality
- Three-point calibration system
- Octave band analysis
- Automatic range selection
- Improved knob/dial controls (less touchy)

## Newest reviews (16 of 168)

### 4/5 — It’s good. Pls make meter bigger

*2021-01-13*

It’s good. Pls make meter bigger in landscape mode. Switches and dial can be redesigned. 
Thanks!

### 4/5 — 측정치가 비교적 정확한 편입니다

*2019-11-03*

측정치 정확한 편인데 부가기능은 너무 적어서 아쉽네요

### 3/5 — The app doesn't scale to screen...

*2017-06-10, version 9.2*

... with iOS 10.3.2 on iPad. It used to be full screen. What happened? Or is this by design?

### 3/5 — Blurry UI

*2016-12-03, version 9.0*

Since the current update my interface for this app is blurry, very low looking resolution, looked great before this update.  Please fix.

### 5/5 — Best SPL Meter I've owned

*2016-10-07, version 7.9*

I have several SPL meters and this APP rocks them all. Key feature, I always have it with me!'

### 3/5 — Graphikfehler, schlecht bedienbar

*2016-09-02*

Die App funktioniert "im Prinzip" und die Messergebnisse sind auch, wie einige meiner Vorredner geschrieben haben, recht genau.

Allerdings ist die Bedienung sehr umständlich (die "Simulation" eines mechanischen Drehknopfes auf einem Weltraum-Touch-Display ist schon arg daneben), und die Anzeige mit dem "simulierten" analogen Drehspulinstrument ist schwer ablesbar. Ausserdem sind Knöpfe oft an den falschen Stellen und / oder überlappen sich.

Fazit: Gut gemeint, schlecht umgesetzt...

### 4/5 — Good Sound Meter

*2016-06-07, version 7.8*

It does what it claims to do, and it does it well...

### 3/5 — Not filling screen

*2016-05-07*

The May 5 update seems to have resulted in the meter only filling the bottom left 10% of my ipad2 air screen.  Can you correct this new error please.

### 3/5 — Ruined the interface with this update

*2016-05-04, version 7.7*

Not sure why the interface was made so much smaller? Wish I hadn't updated.

### 5/5 — Fatta veramente bene

*2016-05-03, version 7.7*

Ho questa app da anni e vedo che funziona bene, non so se è precisa come un fonometro.
È semplice da usare con poche impostazioni.

### 5/5 — Very good

*2016-04-29*

Très intéressant et utile

### 2/5 — Took a Step Backwards

*2016-04-28*

I'm not sure why you would replace what was a nice looking app on the iPad with this horrible looking UI.  I believe that, in design, form follows function, however, that doesn't mean ignoring form altogether.

### 3/5 — Испортили интерфейс

*2016-04-28*

Верните старый вентажный интерфейс

### 5/5 — Problem with Update

*2016-04-20*

There is some gain problems with this Update. Gain is about 20dbSPL too loud. Can T use it now !!!! ( iPhone 6 )

### 4/5 — Go-to Decibel Meter

*2016-03-29, version 7.5*

Great app. I've been using it since it came out. I am a weapons instructor for the USMC and I use this mostly to demonstrate the difference in sound levels between canned and uncanned rifles. The GUI is a little dated looking (maybe not optimized for iPhone 6S?) but the functionality is 100%

### 5/5 — Solid and nice features

*2015-12-03, version 7.4*

I use this setting up portable PA systems all the time. It's quick and easy.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Too inconsistent

*2022-08-15*

The meter is too inconsistent compared to other meters. Wouldn’t recommend paying for this.

### 1/5 — Don’t buy here’s why

*2022-06-03*

Don’t purchase this app. The meters are inconsistent. You’ll get a measurement then it changes completely. Not stable.

### 1/5 — Price

*2022-04-25*

It Said it was .99 but charged me 6.99

### 1/5 — Forget It

*2016-09-03, version 7.8*

Tiny image of what appears to a copy of the Radio Shack db meter from the 1970s. Screen does nothing except show current db number you need a magnifying glass to see it. A $.99 joke. Ha! Doesn't Apple really examine any of these apps before allowing people to steal your money? Zero stars.

### 1/5 — App does not work on 6s Plus

*2015-11-08, version 7.2*

This app use to be great on my 6 but now the screen is all mixed up.

### 1/5 — 6s+ unusable

*2015-11-07, version 7.2*

Excellent until I upgraded to 6s+. Screen is totally jumbled.

### 1/5 — App doesn't work on 6s plus

*2015-11-02, version 7.2*

This app doesn't work on 6s plus (the screen is all mixed up). Waste of money.

### 1/5 — Used to work, now does not

*2015-01-24*

This app used to work but now does not. Not sure if it's my new phone or iOS but it does not work.

### 1/5 — Stopped working.

*2014-11-29, version 7.0.1*

Downloaded it a few days ago and it worked fine, but now it doesn't. Now it just says 999db and the needle no longer moves. Uninstalled.

### 1/5 — Doesn't work. Looks horrible

*2014-11-28, version 7.0.1*

Doesn't actually do what you think. Keeps bugging you to buy some pro thing. Avoid.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Efficace et précis.

*2022-07-09*

Très bon sonomètre.
Seul petit bémol, dommage que l’on ne puisse pas travailler en retournant l’iPhone pour que le micro soit dirigé vers la source sonore. L’affichage ne tourne pas à 180°.

### 5/5 — Great little Sound Meter

*2021-09-25, version 11.0*

I really like this App, it seems accurate enough for general use and I can use it on my iPhone and iPad. It’s a bit retro, but there’s nothing wrong with that :-)

The latest update today fixed an issue with not being able to use the iPad Pro 5th Gen microphones - shame it takes so long for Apple to ‘test’ and release updates, like two months.

### 5/5 — SPL Metre

*2020-07-29*

Great app. Well worth it!

### 5/5 — Good

*2020-06-04*

I use this in places where I play. It allows me to keep track of the noise levels and stay within permitted levels.  Also make the boss happy

### 5/5 — Andrew's done a great job

*2019-09-10, version 9.8*

What a handy alternative to my hand-held hardware meter, and the readings correspond quite well.  Amazingly, the iPhone 7 internal mic enables indication down to 16Hz (organ pedals!) and up to 20 kHz.  Developer Andrew Smith's website offers clear description of what spl, dB and hearing-curves are all about.  I'm using the SPL Meter stand-alone, but see that it can be mated up with AudioTools to do more.

### 5/5 — ottima applicazione

*2019-08-15, version 9.8*

l’applicazione è ottima. una versione per watch sarebbe magnifica

### 5/5 — Stupenda interfaccia utente

*2018-01-19, version 9.0*

Realismo assoluto, bellissima app.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2017-06-10, version 9.2*

It's great to have this type of tool in your pocket.

### 5/5 — Does what it says on the tin. Easy to use, accurate, good job.

*2017-04-01*

Easy to use, analogue meter, accurate. Reboot phone after install and microphone calibration to avoid greyed out settings and should work fine. Support was ultra fast, replied on xmas day! Well done, restored my faith in app developers. Wish they were all like this team!

### 5/5 — great

*2016-12-03, version 9.0*

but I dont know how to use it :/

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*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 2026-09-04.*