Sound Meter HQ vs Decibel Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sound Meter HQ
This application measures noise and sound levels using your device's microphone. It displays results in decibels on a logarithmic graph and allows for calibration to ensure accuracy. You can record minimum, average, and maximum sound levels.
- Measure sound level
- Vibration meter
- Noise detector
- Record Min, AVG, Max levels
- Logarithmic dB graph
- Manual and auto calibration
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Sound Meter - smart tool-app to measure noise and sound level or measurement of sound pressure level (SPL) in decibels (dB). To get precise measurements, we recommend, before start using, make app calibration: settings -> calibration (automatic or manual). This application use the built-in microphone in your smartphone or tablet and results of measurements are shown in the chart. Sound meter includes the following features: - measure of sound level, vibration meter, noise detector - record of: minimum (Min), average (AVG), maximum (Max) sound level - logarithmic graph of sound level in decibels (dB) - calibration tool - two modes: manual and auto calibration - ability to stop and record the results of measurements at any time Enjoy with Sound Meter !
Decibel Reader
Measure ambient noise levels with real-time readings, tracking minimum, average, and maximum decibels. Offers calibration for accuracy and a dark mode for comfortable viewing. This tool helps you understand your sound environment.
- Real-time decibel measurement
- Calibration for accuracy
- Track min, average, and max noise levels
- Dark mode for low-light use
- Simple and intuitive interface
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Introducing Decibel Reader, a handy tool for measuring noise levels quickly and easily. Easy to Use Our simple design makes using our app a breeze. Just open it up and get real-time noise levels right away. Calibration feature Calibrate the meter for more accurate readings. Track Noise Levels See how quiet or loud it is around you. Our app shows you the lowest, average, and highest noise levels. Easy on the Eyes Enjoy our app even at night with our dark mode. It's smooth, modern, and easy on the eyes. Here to Help Got questions? Email us. We're ready to help you. Decibel Reader isn't just a noise meter. It's a trusty tool for knowing how much noise there is around you, whether at work, outdoors, or at home. Try Decibel Reader. Monitoring noise has never been this easy. Download it today. Decibel Reader is free. You can use it forever, at no cost. However, Decibel Reader does offer premium features for its subscribers. If you decide to purchase an upgrade, you can unlock additional features, i.e. remove ads and enable change description feature. Terms of Use: https://kociapp.github.io/Decibel-Reader/term-of-use Privacy Policy: https://kociapp.github.io/Decibel-Reader/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Decibel Reader at 80% against Sound Meter HQ's 38%. Decibel Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Sound Meter HQ's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Sound Meter HQ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Decibel Reader sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Sound Meter HQ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sound Meter HQ has 348 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Sound Meter HQ's written reviews are positive against 80% of Decibel Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Sound Meter HQ ships an update every 4 months, Decibel Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sound Meter HQ | Decibel Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (348 ratings) — better | 4.5 (24 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 348 — better | 24 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ExaMobile S.A. | Andy Sutanto |
Customer experience
Sound Meter HQ
Decibel Reader
In-app purchases
Sound Meter HQ
- Remove ads$1.99
Decibel Reader
- Decibel Meter Pro - 1 Week$3.997 Days
- Decibel Meter Pro - 1 Month$7.991 Month
- Sound Level Meter - 6 Months$19.996 Months
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- Noise Level Meter - 1 Year$29.991 Year
- Decibel Meter Pro - 1Y 23 Days trial$29.991 Year
- dB Meter Pro$49.99
Questions
Is Sound Meter HQ free?
Is Decibel Reader free?
Which has better reviews, Sound Meter HQ or Decibel Reader?
Do Sound Meter HQ or Decibel Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sound Meter HQ or Decibel Reader?
Other comparisons
