Comparison

NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs PPG MagicBox

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

PPG MagicBox

Features
Read full description

PPG MagicBox is a utility application for users of PPG MagicBox hardware. The application helps the PPG MagicBox connect to Wi-Fi.

Screenshots

NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens
PPG MagicBox2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PPG MagicBox at 13.0 against NIOSH Sound Level Meter's 15.0. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
NIOSH Sound Level Meter versus PPG MagicBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIOSH Sound Level MeterPPG MagicBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (17K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEA LABPPG Industries, Inc

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)

PPG MagicBox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

None

PPG MagicBox

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 PPG MagicBox free?
PPG MagicBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NIOSH Sound Level Meter or PPG MagicBox have ads?
Neither NIOSH Sound Level Meter nor PPG MagicBox shows ads.

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