Comparison

NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs MERLINSHIP Driver

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

MERLINSHIP Driver

Features
Read full description

MERLINSHIP Driver helps freight drivers manage assigned shipments from pickup to delivery. Built for drivers in the MERLINSHIP network, the app brings daily tasks, stop details, navigation, proof of delivery, location updates, HOS tools, and dispatcher communication into one mobile workflow.

Screenshots

NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens
MERLINSHIP Driver4 screens

Verdict

The call

NIOSH Sound Level Meter and MERLINSHIP Driver are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
NIOSH Sound Level Meter versus MERLINSHIP Driver: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIOSH Sound Level MeterMERLINSHIP Driver
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, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEA LABLinkPrint 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)

MERLINSHIP Driver

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

None

MERLINSHIP Driver

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

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