Comparison

NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs Decibel Meter Ultra

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

Decibel Meter Ultra

Measure, record, and analyze sound levels in your environment. This app offers precision metering, noise elimination tools, hearing protection features, and home audio calibration. It provides detailed reports and can be used with device microphones or external ones.

Highlights
  • Precision sound level metering
  • Noise logging and reporting
  • Hearing protection dosimeter
  • Fractional octave band analysis
  • Real-time analyzer
  • External microphone support
Read full description

Measure, record and track sound levels in your environment with Decibel Meter Ultra, the all-in-one sound level meter, dosimeter and real-time analyzer. From monitoring sound levels at home, noise levels in the workplace, to calibrating the speakers of your hi-fi, Decibel Meter Ultra makes it easy to get the information that you need. Precision Metering For Sound: Get accurate sound level readings using industry standard measurement methodologies, selectable A, C and Z frequency weighting curves, fast and slow time-weightings, plus concurrent peak level measurement. Choose from the built-in microphones on your device or connect an external microphone* for an even broader dynamic range. Eliminate Nuisance Noise: Getting proof is as simple as tapping a button. Catch and log problem noise as it occurs. Overlay live video with sound levels, or create comprehensive acoustic analysis reports that you can share easily via PDF. Visualize sound levels over time and gather the evidence that you need to take decisive action. Safeguard Your Hearing: Stay aware of noise levels in the workplace and compare against industry-mandated safe levels using the built-in dosimeter. Select from default measurement profiles based on published recommendations from NIOSH and OSHA, or if you’re working against a different specification, create your own. Elevate Your Home Audio: Get the best from your home audio system with powerful fractional octave band analysis. Fine-tune your equipment using up to twelfth octave-band resolution, variable time weightings and peak level indicators so that you can enjoy music and movies like never before. Download now and take advantage of our free plan which includes our built-in metering profile and up to two-minute recording durations. Or choose one of our PRO plans and gain access to everything the app has to offer, including our full suite of professional metering options, custom meter profiles, analysis charts, PDF reports, background recording, unlimited recording durations and more. *External microphones require calibration against a reference sound level source The data provided by Decibel Meter Ultra is for educational and informational purposes only. Please refer to the disclaimer in the Terms of Use for further information. Terms of Use: https://decibelmeterultra.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://decibelmeterultra.com/privacy

Screenshots

NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens
Decibel Meter Ultra4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NIOSH Sound Level Meter at none against Decibel Meter Ultra's 7. NIOSH Sound Level Meter also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 48%) and ratings volume (17K vs 2.5K). Decibel Meter Ultra's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 4 months). On price, rating, 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. Decibel Meter Ultra sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. NIOSH Sound Level Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for NIOSH Sound Level Meter against 4.6 for Decibel Meter Ultra. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NIOSH Sound Level Meter has 17K ratings behind it against 2.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of NIOSH Sound Level Meter's written reviews are positive against 48% of Decibel Meter Ultra's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 4 months, Decibel Meter Ultra every 10 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NIOSH Sound Level Meter versus Decibel Meter Ultra: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIOSH Sound Level MeterDecibel Meter Ultra
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (17K ratings) — better4.6 (2.5K ratings)
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews — better48.1% of reviews
Number of ratings17K — better2.5K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB91 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperEA LABUltrafine

Customer experience

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

All ratings16,768 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews197 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral10.7%
Negative24.9%

Decibel Meter Ultra

All ratings2,528 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews81 reviews
Positive48.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative49.4%

User reviews

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

From 17K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Free and ad-free
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • ⚖️ Accurate and reliable measurements
  • 💡 Useful for monitoring noise levels in various environments
  • 🔍 Provides detailed noise data and exposure information

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🔌 Issues with external microphone support
  • 🔋 Can drain battery when running for extended periods
  • 📱 Limited iPad optimization

Decibel Meter Ultra

From 2.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design
  • 🔍 Useful noise monitoring features
  • 🔍 Ability to collect noise evidence

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription pricing
  • 🚫 Misleading free trial claims
  • 🚫 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🔍 Inconsistent noise level readings

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)

Decibel Meter Ultra

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Subscription charges continue after cancellation
  • Subscription cancellation page doesn't load

Requested features

2 requests
  • Lower subscription pricing
  • Improve subscription cancellation process

In-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Decibel Meter Ultra

Subscriptions4
  • PRO Access7 Days trial2 variants$7.997 Days
  • PRO Access2 variants$11.991 Month
  • PRO Access3 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • PRO Access2 variants$39.991 Year

Questions

Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Decibel Meter Ultra free?
Decibel Meter Ultra is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or Decibel Meter Ultra?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is rated higher. NIOSH Sound Level Meter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while Decibel Meter Ultra averages 4.6 from 2.5K ratings.
Do NIOSH Sound Level Meter or Decibel Meter Ultra have ads?
Neither NIOSH Sound Level Meter nor Decibel Meter Ultra shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or Decibel Meter Ultra?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 4 months, and Decibel Meter Ultra every 10 days. Most recently, NIOSH Sound Level Meter was updated on September 24, 2026 and Decibel Meter Ultra on September 24, 2026.

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