Comparison

FFTWave vs SoundMeter X

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

Head to head
About

FFTWave

Visualize sound from your microphone as a waveform and spectrum analysis. Identify frequency characteristics, detect peaks, and analyze howling with pinch-to-zoom gestures. Ideal for sound adjustment and analysis.

Highlights
  • Microphone waveform display
  • Spectrum analysis via Fourier transform
  • Frequency characteristic checking
  • Peak detection and hold
  • Pinch zoom gestures
  • Howling analysis
Features
Read full description

This app displays the waveform of the sound from the microphone. In addition, it can display a spectrum by Fourier transform. You can check the frequency characteristics of the sound. There are functions of peak detection, peak hold. Supporting the Pinch Zoom Gestures. It help sound adjustment and howling analysis.

About

SoundMeter X

Transform your device into a professional sound level meter, noise dosimeter, and spectrum analyzer. Log data, calibrate sensitivity, and analyze audio with advanced features. Offers a free trial for premium functionalities.

Highlights
  • Handheld data-logging sound level meter
  • Data-logging noise dosimeter
  • Real-time octave spectrum analyzer
  • Multi-channel data recorder
  • Stereo signal generator
  • Sensitivity calibration
  • Data logging in CSV, TXT, MAT, and PDF
Features
Read full description

SoundMeter X turns your iPhone or iPad into a handheld data-logging sound level meter (SLM), data-logging noise dosimeter, stereo signal generator, multi-channel data recorder, and real-time whole or 1/3 octave band spectrum analyzer (subscription or perpetual license required for most features--14-day free trial available). Input signals can be acquired from any available audio input path. Sensitivity calibration can also be performed for any audio input device and/or input channel. Direct hardware support (automatic sensitivity calibration, based on factory-defined values) for The Modal Shop’s 2-channel 485B39 USB-ICP interface and miniDSP’s UMIK-1, UMIK-2, and EARS microphones. In addition to real-time sound level measurements, SoundMeter can stream raw sound data to audio files, and store acquired sound level data, including date, time, and location, in CSV or TXT (tab-delimited) files, MAT-files, or high-resolution PDF images for later retrieval from your device. SoundMeter may be downloaded for free from the App Store. Additional tools and features are offered via in-app purchase. The SoundMeter Pro subscription includes: - User-defined custom metadata in saved audio and data files - Level MeterLp, Leq, Lx sound levels -- Standard Flat, A, C frequency weighting -- Standard Fast, Slow, Impulse time weighting -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. -- Event notifications - Max Levels Meter -- Traffic-light-style meters make it easy to monitor 2 separate sound level thresholds in 2 independent user-defined frequency bands. -- Define lower (warning) and higher (limit) sound level thresholds for overall (full audio band) levels as well as for individual octave frequency bands. -- Store user-defined thresholds in files for later recall. - Noise Dosimeter -- 8-hour Noise Dose, Projected Dose, TWA calculations -- Criterion Levels: 80, 85, 90 dB -- Exchange Rates: 3, 4, 5 dB -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. - Real-time Octave Spectrum Analyzer (RTA) -- Lp, Leq, Lx sound levels -- Supports whole or 1/3-octave frequency bands -- Standard Flat, A, C frequency weighting -- Standard Fast, Slow, Impulse time weighting -- NC, RNC, and NR references curves, NC, SIL, and NR values -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. - Multi-channel Data Recorder -- Supports up to 8 channels -- Live monitoring of recorded data -- Metadata (including calibrated sensitivity) embedded in audio file (AIF, CAF, WAV), optionally saved in separate data file - Stereo Signal Generator -- Left and right outputs assigned to arbitrary hardware output channels -- Random and pseudorandom (periodic) noise sequences with white or pink spectrum -- Linear and logarithmic frequency sweeps -- Dual periodic waveforms with arbitrary frequency and phase difference - MultiTool -- Powerful data monitoring and project management (Add 2-6 subtools, depending on screen size, and save configurations for easy recall at a later time.) The SignalScope X Pro Tool Set subscription can be shared between SoundMeter X and SignalScope X. It unlocks all tools and features of the SoundMeter Pro subscription in SoundMeter X and all tools and features of the Pro Tool Set subscription in SignalScope X (iCloud login required). Learn more about SoundMeter X at FaberAcoustical.com. Subscription Terms: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/apps/subscriptions/terms.html Privacy Policy: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/privacy.html Terms and Conditions for FaberAcoustical.com: https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/terms.html

Screenshots

FFTWave1 screens
SoundMeter X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FFTWave at 77% against SoundMeter X's 23%. FFTWave also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). SoundMeter X's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (45 vs 15). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. SoundMeter X sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. FFTWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FFTWave holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 45 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of FFTWave's written reviews are positive against 23% of SoundMeter X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FFTWave ships an update every 15 months, SoundMeter X every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
FFTWave versus SoundMeter X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFFTWaveSoundMeter X
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (15 ratings) — better3.6 (45 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better22.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1545 — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEisaku NozuFaber Acoustical, LLC

Customer experience

FFTWave

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%

SoundMeter X

All ratings45 ratings
Positive62.2%
Neutral8.9%
Negative28.9%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive22.6%
Neutral6.5%
Negative71.0%

In-app purchases

None

FFTWave

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

SoundMeter X

Subscriptions4
  • SoundMeter Pro, 1 Month14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro Tool Set, 1 Month14 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • SoundMeter Pro, 1 Year14 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Tool Set, 1 Year14 Days trial$249.991 Year
One-time3
  • 14-day Free Trial, SoundMeter ProFree
  • SoundMeter Pro 2026 Upgrade$29.99
  • SoundMeter Pro 2026$99.99

Questions

Is FFTWave free?
FFTWave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SoundMeter X free?
SoundMeter X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FFTWave or SoundMeter X?
FFTWave is rated higher. FFTWave averages 4.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while SoundMeter X averages 3.6 from 45 ratings.
Do FFTWave or SoundMeter X have ads?
Neither FFTWave nor SoundMeter X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FFTWave or SoundMeter X?
FFTWave ships an update every 15 months, and SoundMeter X every 3 weeks. Most recently, FFTWave was updated on September 17, 2026 and SoundMeter X on September 25, 2026.

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