Comparison

Vibroscope vs NIOSH Sound Level Meter

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Vibroscope

This tool uses your device's accelerometer to analyze vibrations in real-time, even those inaudible to humans. It visualizes acceleration data and offers FFT analysis for frequency components, with options to log measurements.

Highlights
  • Real-time vibration measurement
  • Inaudible vibration detection
  • Two-axial coordinate display
  • Time-axis waveform display
  • FFT analyzer for frequency components
  • Data logging to text files
  • Snapshot of measurement screen
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"Vibroscope" is a powerful vibration analysis tool that uses the iPhone's acceleration sensor to measure various vibrations in real time. It allows you to monitor and visualize very low frequency vibrations that are inaudible to the human ear. This app intuitively detects acceleration amounts and displays the two-axial coordinates in the horizontal direction and the time-axis waveform in the vertical direction. It can measure by determining the horizontal or vertical direction to suit the attitude of the iPhone automatically, so as to be available on the floor and desk or handheld. "Vibroscope" is also equipped with FFT analyzer that can analyze the frequency components of very low frequency vibrations. The measurement data can also be saved as a log file, so you can use it as a vibration data logger. Application Examples: - Analysis of the amount of acceleration and frequency components of the floor and walls during car traffic. - Measurement of howling vibration of audio equipment, etc. - Detection of acceleration and vibration of trains and automobiles. - Body balance check (horizontal body shaking detection). - Measurement of vibration acceleration during earthquakes, etc. (displayed value x 100 [GAL]) Features: - Measurement of vibrations (Main): acceleration values (m/s/s) - Real-time display: the horizontal direction (X-Y) - 2-axis vector plane graph, the vertical direction (Z) - the time-varying graph. - Display scale switching of vibration acceleration graph (Linear/Log): Linear - linear scale display, Log - logarithmic scale display. - 3-axis composite acceleration display (Compo) - Peak level value display (Peak) - Switching of acceleration display (Instant/Average): Instant - instantaneous acceleration, Average - average acceleration per second. - Scaling of measurement display range - FFT analysis for 3-axis directional and composite acceleration, with peak frequency (FFT) - FFT graph display control (Axes/Axis-1/Axis-2) - Switching of sensor sampling period (Slow/Fast): slow, fast - Axis direction (Axis): Swapping the axis direction on the graph display during operation. - Measurement timer function: 1 sec to 1 hour - Start delay timer function: 0 - 20 sec - Reference level setting in FFT mode: 1e-6m/s/s, or 1e-5m/s/s - Snapshot of the measurement screen (Snap): Capture the measurement results and Timestamp to "Photos". - Data Logger: X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, saved in a text file (UTF8). It saves the measurement data, timestamp to LOG file. Important settings: - At the time of the first access to Photos after installing the app, you will be asked permission to access them from the iOS system. If you did not enable this setting on this time, it cannot be access from the app by privacy restrictions of the iOS. Please enable slide switch of the app in the access permission of the iOS setting, "Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos". - This app does not support to the background operation, so it needs to set on "Never" in the iOS setting, "Settings > General > Auto-Lock" for a long-time operation. Notes: - In general, there is variation and accuracy error by individual terminals and sensor devices of the iPhone, so this app does not recommend the use in the formal measurement. It is also possible that the accuracy error will accumulate if the vibration is too large, it may not be appropriate to display the measured value. - While driving a car or operating machinery, please do not use this app for safety. - The logarithmic scale graph displays very small numerical value, so it may be affected by noise and temperature error in your environment or time fluctuation of sensor calibration. - Log data can be transferred from an iOS device to a Mac or PC using the iTunes File Sharing feature. MacOS Catalina and later can share files between an iOS device and a Mac using the Finder. Please visit our iOS app support page for more information on this app.

About

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

This free app measures sound levels and noise exposure using your smartphone. Developed by acoustics experts, it provides professional-grade metrics and guidance on hearing protection and noise prevention.

Highlights
  • Sound level measurement
  • Noise dosimetry
  • Hearing hazard information
  • Hearing protector guidelines
  • Data reporting and sharing
  • Microphone calibration
Features
Currently charting
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This award-winning app combines the best features of professional sound level meters and noise dosimeters into a simple, easy-to-use package. - Developed by experienced acoustics engineers and hearing loss experts. - Completely FREE – No ads, no limited features, and no in-app purchases. - Tested and validated (accuracy ± 2 dBA) according to standards in a reverberant chamber at NIOSH acoustics lab – the only proper method to validate accuracy. - Trusted source and world-class expertise in noise and hearing research. - Meets Type 2 requirements of IEC 61672:3 SLM standard when used w/ external microphone.* - Provides the most relevant metrics found in professional sound instruments today. Averages such as LAeq and TWA, Max and Peak Levels, Noise Dose and Projected Dose according to NIOSH and OSHA standards, and all three major weighting networks (A, C, and Z). - Capability to calibrate either internal or external microphone. Reporting and Sharing data. - Up-to-date informational screens on what noises are considered hazardous, how to conduct a noise measurement, how to properly select a hearing protector, and guidelines for preventing hearing loss, all at the palm of your hand. - Excellent and timely support from NIOSH hearing experts. - Support for Apple's Health (Hearing) app. * Celestina M, Hrovat J, Kardous CA [2018]. Smartphone-based sound level measurement apps: Evaluation of compliance with international sound level meter standards. Applied Acoustics, 139:119-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2018.04.011 More resources (including instructional videos and a user manual), a science blog, FAQ, and information about how to interpret results can be found on the NIOSH SLM website https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html

Screenshots

Vibroscope4 screens
NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NIOSH Sound Level Meter at Free against Vibroscope's $7.99. NIOSH Sound Level Meter also leads on ratings volume (17K vs 2) and review sentiment (65% vs 40%). Vibroscope's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

NIOSH Sound Level Meter is free to download; Vibroscope costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vibroscope holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NIOSH Sound Level Meter has 17K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of Vibroscope's written reviews are positive against 65% of NIOSH Sound Level Meter's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vibroscope ships an update every 8 months, NIOSH Sound Level Meter every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Vibroscope versus NIOSH Sound Level Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVibroscopeNIOSH Sound Level Meter
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.7 (17K ratings)
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews64.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings217K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank—#209 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTOON,LLCEA LAB

Customer experience

Vibroscope

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral40.0%
Negative20.0%

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

All ratings16,912 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews198 reviews
Positive64.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative24.7%

Bugs and requests

Vibroscope

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent or inaccurate readings in some cases
  • Inability to properly connect and use external microphones
  • Freezing or crashing when minimizing the app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to save and export measurement sessions
  • Option to run the app in the background while the screen is locked
  • Integration with Apple Health for long-term noise exposure tracking
  • Frequency-specific noise measurements (e.g., A-weighted, C-weighted)

In-app purchases

None

Vibroscope

No in-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Vibroscope free?
Vibroscope costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Vibroscope or NIOSH Sound Level Meter?
Vibroscope is rated higher. Vibroscope averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while NIOSH Sound Level Meter averages 4.7 from 17K ratings.
Do Vibroscope or NIOSH Sound Level Meter have ads?
Neither Vibroscope nor NIOSH Sound Level Meter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Vibroscope or NIOSH Sound Level Meter?
Vibroscope ships an update every 8 months, and NIOSH Sound Level Meter every 5 months. Most recently, Vibroscope was updated on October 26, 2026 and NIOSH Sound Level Meter on November 1, 2026.

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