NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs EHS Hero
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Sound level measurement
- Noise dosimetry
- Hearing hazard information
- Hearing protector guidelines
- Data reporting and sharing
- Microphone calibration
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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
EHS Hero
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EHS Hero’s fully mobile safety audit, training, and incident reporting software aids companies of all sizes in identifying problems and hazards that put your workplace at risk, keeping employees up to date on training, and reporting incidents in the field in real-time. Our mobile app augments our web-based system to enable you to store, manage, and report in one central location that team members across your organization can access easily. Perform your audits, training, and incident reports right in the BasicSafe mobile system for easy access and visibility, even without a network connection. Once you are back in range with one easy step you can simply sync to BasicSafe. You must be an active BasicSafe customer to use this application. Sign up here https://www.basicsafe.us/pricing
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: EHS Hero at every 3 weeks against NIOSH Sound Level Meter's every 4 months. On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 4 months, EHS Hero every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NIOSH Sound Level Meter | EHS Hero |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (17K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 39 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | EA LAB | Basic Safe Policy and Procedure |
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)
EHS Hero
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NIOSH Sound Level Meter
No in-app purchases
EHS Hero
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
Is EHS Hero free?
Do NIOSH Sound Level Meter or EHS Hero have ads?
Which is updated more often, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or EHS Hero?
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