Comparison

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro vs Retro Spectrum

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

Head to head
About

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro

Analyze sound frequencies in real-time with this powerful tool. It offers detailed octave band analysis, FFT plots, and various measurement scales. Supports multiple microphones and noise analysis features for accurate audio insights.

Highlights
  • Octave Band Real Time Analyzer
  • FFT Plot (Fast Fourier Transform)
  • Sound level meter (dB meter)
  • Noise Rating and Noise Criterion support
  • Support for external microphones
  • Pre-calibrated mic profiles
Features
Read full description

Audio Spectrum Analyzer is a powerful real-time audio analysis app. Full of features yet very simple to use. Sound level meter (db meter a-weighted, noise rating, noise criterion) included. Feature Highlights: • Octave Band Real Time Analyzer • FFT Plot (Fast Fourier Transform) • Linear and logarithm scales • Up to 16384 FFT size • A lot of available window functions • Tracking for max value • Max and Min for any selected frequency • Stunned graphics • Reliable measurement accuracy with pre-calibrated profiles for 3 device-integrated mics • Additional precision with integrated support and pre-calibrated profiles for AirPods, AirPods Pro • Safer measurements using the Airpods Pro noise cancellation feature • Support for external microphones (wired or via Bluetooth) • Noise Rating and Noise Criterion support And many many more... Terms of Use: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/94359518

About

Retro Spectrum

Transform your phone into a retro audio visualizer for your car or desk. It analyzes sound from your speakers in real-time, displaying dynamic visuals inspired by classic 80s-90s car stereos. Enjoy multiple retro skins and track identification for a unique audio-visual experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • Retro 80s-90s car stereo style
  • Listens via microphone to any speaker source
  • Multiple retro skin options
  • Now Playing song identification
  • Desk mode with clock and date
Features
Read full description

Retro Spectrum turns your phone into a retro audio display for your car or your desk. Mount your phone, play music through your speakers, and watch a real-time spectrum analyzer light up in the style of classic 80s–90s car stereos. Built for JDM and neo-classic car fans, and just as good as an always-on visualizer on your desk. HOW IT WORKS Retro Spectrum listens through your device's microphone and analyzes the sound in real time. Because it uses the mic, it reacts to ANY source playing through your speakers—streaming, radio, CD, anything. No cables, no pairing. Important: it responds to sound from SPEAKERS, not headphones or earphones. Point your phone toward the speakers and turn the volume up. RETRO SKINS Switch between display styles inspired by legendary in-dash stereos: • VFD Green — a fluorescent-tube display (included free) • Plasma Orange — spinning-CD deck with artwork and a big clock • JDM Night — KENWOOD-style dual-zone EQ with 7-segment clock • Bubble Grid — synthwave neon grid with a perspective floor • Wireframe LCD — Y2K retro-future tunnel HUD • Gaming RGB — flowing RGB bars with mirror reflections NOW PLAYING See the song that's playing right now. When you use Apple Music, the title, artist, and artwork are read directly from the system for instant accuracy. For any other source, Retro Spectrum identifies the track from the mic using Shazam technology. Double-tap to look up a song on demand. DESK MODE A built-in clock, date, and battery readout make Retro Spectrum a great always-on display for your desk setup—a glowing retro visualizer and clock in one. PRIVACY Microphone audio is analyzed on your device and is never recorded or saved. Song recognition can be turned off anytime. See our privacy policy for details. FREE + SKIN PACK The app and the VFD Green skin are free. Unlock all the other skins with a single one-time Skin Pack purchase.

Screenshots

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro4 screens
Retro Spectrum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Retro Spectrum at 100% against Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro's 57%. Retro Spectrum also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro's advantage is ratings volume (239 vs 8) and device support (3 vs 1). 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. Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and Retro Spectrum sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retro Spectrum holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro has 239 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of Retro Spectrum's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro ships an update every 7 months, Retro Spectrum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro versus Retro Spectrum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAudio Spectrum Analyzer ProRetro Spectrum
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (239 ratings)4.8 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings239 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVlad PolyanskiyTAKUMA FUJITSUKA

Customer experience

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro

All ratings238 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral4.6%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews183 reviews
Positive57.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative35.5%

Retro Spectrum

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes on iOS 16 and iOS 26 launches
  • FFT resolution not working after iOS updates
  • Graph display freezes or becomes unresponsive
  • Spectrograph mode too slow on newer iPhones
  • Frequency alignment issues with dynamic display
Show 6 more
  • App won't uninstall properly
  • Malware warnings appearing
  • Help links and support pages broken/dead
  • Incorrect dB level readings (off by ~20dB)
  • Recording functions non-functional
  • Half black screen in certain orientations

Requested features

11 requests
  • Audio file upload capability
  • White noise/test signal generator
  • Microphone calibration file support
  • Recording functionality with timestamp
  • Multiple frequency cursors for comparison
Show 6 more
  • Ability to compare before/after curves
  • Adjustable dB level zoom/scaling
  • Saved settings and personalizations
  • Audio Unit (AUV3) plugin support
  • Peak hold reset button
  • Time-domain recording in spectrograph mode

Retro Spectrum

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Mode7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Pack$29.99
1 purchases

Retro Spectrum

One-time1
  • Skin Pack$1.99

Questions

Is Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro free?
Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retro Spectrum free?
Retro Spectrum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro or Retro Spectrum?
Retro Spectrum is rated higher. Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro averages 4.4 out of 5 from 239 ratings, while Retro Spectrum averages 4.8 from 8 ratings.
Do Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro or Retro Spectrum have ads?
Neither Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro nor Retro Spectrum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro or Retro Spectrum?
Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro ships an update every 7 months, and Retro Spectrum every 3 weeks. Most recently, Audio Spectrum Analyzer Pro was updated on October 26, 2026 and Retro Spectrum on October 24, 2026.

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