# Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) vs IQ

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IQ at none against Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter)'s 23. IQ also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter)'s advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) sells 23 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. IQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) ships an update every 2 months, IQ every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) | IQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-meter-db-sound-meter/id1205186197/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 134 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) | [RedBit SCS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1042259174) |

## What reviewers say

### Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-meter-db-sound-meter/id1205186197)

Measure sound volume in real-time with this app. It provides precise decibel readings, a visual timeline of sound fluctuations, and customizable calibration for accurate results. Ideal for monitoring noise levels in various environments.

**Highlights:** Accurate sound measurements in decibels (dB), Real-time volume display, Volume timeline for trend analysis, Customizable calibration settings, User-friendly interface

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (23)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium features | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly Access | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium features | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium features | $29.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Access | $49.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |
| Custom Calibration | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full Screen Mode | $1.99 | one-time |
| Frequency Weightings | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🤩 Accurate measurements
- 💯 Useful for various applications

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Difficult to refund
- 🐛 Inaccurate readings
- 💤 Doesn't work in airplane mode

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes
- Sensitivity issues
- Inconsistent performance

**Requested features**

- Ability to save and export recordings
- Customizable settings and calibration
- Support for older devices


### IQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iq-electronics/id6760267004)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) free?

Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is IQ free?

IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) or IQ have ads?

Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) shows ads; IQ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) or IQ?

Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) ships an update every 2 months, and IQ every 5 days. Most recently, Decibel Meter dB (Sound Meter) was updated on November 1, 2026 and IQ on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*