Comparison

NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs QSpec

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

Head to head
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
Read full description

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

About

QSpec

This app helps manage gas cylinder inventory, track blend components, and monitor expiration dates for optimal process performance. It simplifies cylinder tracking and provides on-demand electronic Certificates of Analysis.

Highlights
  • Scan and store cylinder information
  • Track blend expiration dates
  • Set expiration alerts
  • Retrieve and email ECOAs
  • Create and email reorder lists
  • Assign cylinders to locations
Features
Read full description

Unleash the power of productivity with Linde’s QSpec. Quickly verify gas blend components and mix accuracy, and track the expiration date of your gas blends to maintain optimal process performance. Simplify cylinder management and cylinder tracking by using your phone as a mobile database of your cylinder information with QSpec. Quickly access on-demand Electronic Certifications of Analysis (ECOA) for each cylinder you scanned into your phone. QSpec Features: • Scan and store cylinder information, blend expiration dates and blend specifications in your phone. • Set alerts to monitor and prevent gas blend expiration dates to ensure process quality. • Quickly retrieve and email ECOA’s • Create, store and email your cylinder reorder list. • Assign scanned cylinders to customizable locations to assist with cylinder tracking

Screenshots

NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens
QSpec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NIOSH Sound Level Meter at 65% against QSpec's 0%. NIOSH Sound Level Meter also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (17K vs 6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NIOSH Sound Level Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NIOSH Sound Level Meter has 17K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of NIOSH Sound Level Meter's written reviews are positive against 0% of QSpec's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 5 months, QSpec every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NIOSH Sound Level Meter versus QSpec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIOSH Sound Level MeterQSpec
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (17K ratings) — better4.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings17K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEA LABLinde GmbH

Customer experience

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

All ratings16,912 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative25.0%

QSpec

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and 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)

QSpec

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

None

QSpec

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is QSpec free?
QSpec is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or QSpec?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is rated higher. NIOSH Sound Level Meter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while QSpec averages 4.0 from 6 ratings.
Do NIOSH Sound Level Meter or QSpec have ads?
Neither NIOSH Sound Level Meter nor QSpec shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or QSpec?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 5 months, and QSpec every 15 months. Most recently, NIOSH Sound Level Meter was updated on November 9, 2026 and QSpec on November 6, 2026.

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