Comparison

Decibel vs Decibel Shield

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

Head to head
About

Decibel

Transform your device into a professional sound level meter and audio analyzer. Measure ambient noise, monitor decibel levels, and visualize sound frequencies in real time. It also offers advanced sleep tracking with sound recognition to identify disruptions.

Highlights
  • Real-time decibel (dB) sound level monitoring
  • Integrated Spectrum Analyzer (FFT, spectrogram)
  • Sleep tracking with sound recognition
  • Noise exposure data export to Health app
  • Add sound level overlays to photos/videos
  • Save, export, and playback sound measurements
Features
Read full description

Decibel turns your device into a powerful sound level meter without any extra hardware. Measure ambient noise in real time, monitor sound levels (dB), and explore frequencies with the built-in Spectrum Analyzer. Capture reliable sound and noise data wherever you are. Designed for casual users, audio enthusiasts, and sound engineers, Decibel works as a portable sound meter for quick sound checks or deeper audio analysis. Use it to easily check noise levels, test room acoustics, monitor workplace noise, or fine-tune audio equipment. Decibel has various advanced features, including saving and exporting noise measurement data, live sound level overlays for photos and videos, and exporting data to the Health app to track noise exposure over time. “The best way to meter sound levels” — AppAdvice SLEEP TRACKING AND SOUND RECOGNITION Decibel’s sleep tracking and smart sound recognition help you understand your sleep environment and nighttime noise. While sleep tracking is active, the app can detect common sleep sounds such as snoring, coughing, talking, and other household or environmental noise that may affect sleep quality. Each detected sound appears on a detailed sleep timeline, so you can see exactly when disruptions occurred and play back the related audio. This makes it easier to identify snoring patterns, sleep disturbances, and noise events that impact your rest. All sleep sound recognition and audio analysis are performed entirely on your device using advanced on-device machine learning. Recordings stay private, are processed locally, and never leave your device. KEY FEATURES - Visualize ambient sound levels and decibel (dB) readings in real time - Sync with the Health app to track and export noise exposure data - Add live sound level overlays to photos and videos - Save sound measurements with location data and custom labels - Record, store, export, and play back sound measurements - Export sound and noise data in CSV or audio formats SPECTRUM ANALYZER - Integrated Spectrum Analyzer with FFT and spectrogram modes - Multiple FFT sizes up to 16,384 points with selectable window functions - Flexible visualization modes and graph styles - Octave Band Real-Time Analyzer (RTA) for detailed frequency analysis EXTERNAL MICROPHONES AND CALIBRATION - Support for external microphones - Calibrate connected microphones directly in the app - Create and manage custom profiles for different microphones REPORTING AND EXPORT - Generate detailed noise measurement reports, including LAeq values - Batch export multiple measurements in supported formats Decibel app is not a replacement for professional devices and should be used for personal purposes only. By using this app, you acknowledge and agree that the developers and publishers are not liable for any decisions made based on the information provided by the app. SUBSCRIPTIONS Decibel offers optional subscriptions that unlock advanced tools and ongoing feature enhancements. With a subscription, you get access to an expanding set of professional Spectrum Analyzer features, advanced sound level weighting modes, and continued updates for compatibility with new devices and hardware. Subscriptions also include support for external microphones, unlimited saving and exporting of measurements, batch export tools, and audio and video exports with sound level overlays. Payment will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or disable auto-renewal at any time in your Apple ID account settings. By downloading and using the app, you agree to the following: Terms of Use: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/94359518 Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/94359518 Disclaimer: http://dbmeterpro.com/disclaimer.html Questions or feedback? Contact us at support@decibelpro.app

About

Decibel Shield

Measure and track sound levels in real-time with this user-friendly decibel meter. Log historical data, integrate with Apple Health, and gain insights into your sound environment. Includes a white noise generator for focused listening.

Highlights
  • Real-time decibel monitoring
  • Historical data tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • White noise generator
  • iCloud sync
  • Location tagging
  • Background processing
Features
Read full description

Decibel Shield™ : Sound Level Meter Discover the power of sound around you with Decibel Shield™ , the free and user-friendly app designed to make noise level measurement simple and insightful. Whether you're monitoring workplace noise, checking the volume at events, or just curious about everyday sound levels, Decibel Shield™ offers an easy-to-use solution right at your fingertips. Key Features Real-Time Decibel Monitoring: Instantly view the current sound levels in decibels (dB) with precise accuracy. Perfect for those needing an accurate dB meter. AI Assistant : Secure & On Device AI to answer questions about your recordings. Requires Apple Intelligence Capable Device. Historical Data Tracking: Keep a log of all your measurements with date and time stamps for future reference. Apple Health App Integration: Save sound levels to iOS health app to track historical levels. White Noise Generator: Listen to different sounds including white,brown,blue noise and more. Trends View: Provides insights into your sound level measurements over different periods. Explore various statistics and trends to better understand your sound environment. Location Tagging: Record the location of your measurements, ideal for comparing noise levels across different places. Max and Average dB Readings: Alongside real-time data, view the highest and average decibel readings of each session. Background Processing: Measure sound levels even when the app is running in the background. VU Meter Visual Representation: A dynamic VU meter provides a visual understanding of current noise levels. Important Notice The sound level measurement provided by this app is for informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the measurements, we cannot guarantee that the results are entirely precise due to various factors such as device calibration, microphone quality, and environmental conditions. By using this app, you agree to the following: No Guarantee of Accuracy: The measurements and results provided by this app are not guaranteed to be accurate and should not be relied upon for critical or professional purposes. User Responsibility: Users are solely responsible for the interpretation and use of the data provided by this app. We strongly recommend using professional sound level meters and consulting with qualified professionals for accurate measurements and health-related concerns. Limitation of Liability: The developers, owners, and affiliates of this app shall not be held liable for any damages, injuries, or adverse effects resulting from the use or misuse of the app or the reliance on the data provided. This includes, but is not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, and consequential damages. Health and Safety: If you have any concerns about noise levels and their impact on your health, please consult with a medical professional or an accredited specialist in sound measurement and acoustics. Visit NIOSH website for more. By downloading and using this app, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this disclaimer. Decibel Shield™ Premium Subscription Information: Joining the Decibel Shield™ Premium Subscription may at times enables a 7-day free trial followed by a monthly membership fee. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy : https://appstack.wixsite.com/apps/policies Terms of Service : https://appstack.wixsite.com/apps/terms

Screenshots

Decibel4 screens
Decibel Shield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Decibel Shield at every 3 days against Decibel's every 2 months. Decibel Shield also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 66%). Decibel's advantage is ratings volume (36K vs 608) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Decibel Shield sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Decibel against 4.7 for Decibel Shield. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel has 36K ratings behind it against 608, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Decibel's written reviews are positive against 75% of Decibel Shield's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Decibel ships an update every 2 months, Decibel Shield every 3 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Decibel versus Decibel Shield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDecibelDecibel Shield
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (36K ratings)4.7 (608 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.1% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings36K — better608
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVlad PolyanskiyAPPSTACK LLC

Customer experience

Decibel

All ratings36,118 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews507 reviews
Positive66.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative30.4%

Decibel Shield

All ratings608 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative8.3%

Bugs and requests

Decibel

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes or freezes during use
  • Subscription issues and unwanted charges
  • Microphone compatibility problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to set noise level alerts
  • Improve geolocation and recording features
  • Allow audio playback while using the app
  • Provide more calibration options

Decibel Shield

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Decibel

Subscriptions5
  • Premium Mode3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Premium Plus7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium Mode3 Days trial$7.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium Mode Subscription$9.991 Month
  • Premium Mode7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time5
  • dB Meter Pro$4.99
  • Noise Dosimeter Pro$9.99
  • Decibel Meter Pro$19.99
Show 2 more
  • Spectrum Analyzer Pack$24.99
  • dB Meter Premium Pack$49.99
4 purchases

Decibel Shield

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Weekly7 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Annual Membership7 Days trial$44.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Decibel free?
Decibel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Decibel Shield free?
Decibel Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Decibel or Decibel Shield?
Decibel Shield is rated higher. Decibel averages 4.6 out of 5 from 36K ratings, while Decibel Shield averages 4.7 from 608 ratings.
Do Decibel or Decibel Shield have ads?
Neither Decibel nor Decibel Shield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Decibel or Decibel Shield?
Decibel ships an update every 2 months, and Decibel Shield every 3 days. Most recently, Decibel was updated on September 24, 2026 and Decibel Shield on September 24, 2026.

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