Comparison

Decibel X PRO vs SmarterNoise

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

Head to head
About

Decibel X PRO

This application transforms your device into a professional sound level meter, offering precise dBA and dBC measurements. It features advanced analysis tools like frequency spectrum analysis and data export, making it ideal for audio professionals and anyone interested in sound environments.

Highlights
  • Professional sound level meter
  • dBA and dBC measurements
  • Frequency spectrum analysis (FFT, BAR graphs)
  • Data logging and export (PNG, CSV)
  • Apple Watch support
  • Health App integration
  • Dosimeter with NIOSH, OSHA standards
Features
Read full description

"Decibel X" is the leading noise meter app on the market, which has highly reliable, pre-calibrated measurements and supports dBA, dBC. Our success lies at the intersection of expertise in sound communication, listening to our dear users, and our vision to build a great product. Our app turns your iOS device into a professional sound level meter, precisely measures the sound pressure level (SPL) all around you. While this pro tool mainly aids audio experts or workers prone to noise pollution, it can also add more fun and protect your hearing. Have you ever wondered how quiet your surroundings are or how loud is a rock concert or football match? "Decibel X" will help you answer all of those. WHAT MAKE IT GREAT AND STAND OUT FROM OTHER APPS: - Trusted accuracy: the app is tested and pre calibrated for all Apple devices. The precision is matching with real SPL devices - Apple Watch support: see noise level right from your wrist - Health App integration: export noise levels directly into Health app. - Frequency weighting filters: ITU-R 468, A, B, C, Z - Powerful, smart history data management: + Recording data can be saved into a list of history records for future access and analysis + Each record can be exported as hi-res PNG graph or CSV text via sharing services + iCloud support which synchronize all history records across your Apple devices + Fullscreen mode to give overview the whole history of an record - Dosimeter with NIOSH, OSHA standards - FFT and BAR graphs to display real time FFT. Those are very useful for frequency analysis and musical tests. Real time predominant frequency is also displayed. - WAVE graph with 2 display modes: Rolling & Buffer - InstaDecibel to capture your dB report overlaid on photos and easily shared via popular social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Messages, etc.). - Support both Portrait and Landscape layouts - Beautiful, intuitive and carefully crafted UI design - Optimized for iOS 11 OTHER GREAT FEATURES: - Standard time weightings (Response Time): SLOW (500 milliseconds) and FAST (200 milliseconds) - Trimming calibration from -15 dB to 15 dB - Standard measurement range from 30 dBA up to 130 dBA - HISTO graph for plotted history of the recorded values - Real time scale level chart - Display Current, Average/Leq, and Max values with both nice and clear digital and analog layouts - Quick reference text to help you compare with real-life examples - "Keep Device Stay Awake" option for long duration recording - Reset and clear current recording at any time - Tap on Max value to reset at any time - Pause/Resume the tool at any time NOTES: - Please do not expect a quiet room reading will be 0 dBA. The range 30-130 dBA is the standard usable range and an average quiet room will be about 30 dBA. - Although all devices are pre-calibrated, custom calibration is suggested for serious purposes requiring higher precision and accuracy. You will need a real external device or calibrated sound meter as a reference, then adjust the trimming calibration until the reading matches with the reference. * Choose from different subscription options. Our standard subscription options are: 1-month Subscription 1-year Subscription * Subscription payments will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of your purchase and upon commencement of each renewal term. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. You can cancel your subscription or free trial in the iTunes settings at least 24-hours before the end of the free trial period. The cancellation will take effect the day after the last day of the current subscription period and you will be downgraded to the free service. * Please note: any unused portion of a free trial period (if offered) will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. * Privacy Policy: http://www.skypaw.com/decibelx/privacy_policy.html * EULA: http://www.skypaw.com/decibelx/terms.html

About

SmarterNoise

This app measures sound levels, records audio and video, and provides information on noise exposure risks. It features smart icons to help users understand the impact of noise on health and cognitive performance. Save, share, and archive your recordings with this comprehensive tool.

Highlights
  • Sound level measurement
  • Video and audio recording
  • Noise exposure risk information
  • Smart icons for health impact
  • Archive and sharing of recordings
  • Calibration
  • Location and time display
Features
Read full description

SmarterNoise measures sound level, records video and audio and informs about noise SmarterNoise is a premium sound level meter app featuring several unique functions. SmarterNoise measures sound levels in video and audio modes, records video and sound, and informs you about the risks of noise exposure. In addition, SmarterNoise includes a camera, measurement location, and easy sharing, all for free. From the archive you can view the video and audio files you've saved on your phone. With SmarterNoise you take sound level and noise measuring to a new level never available before. SmarterNoise features smart icons that react to the measured sound levels based on current research results focusing on the health and the adverse effects of noise pollution. With the SmarterNoise icons you easily understand how hearing, cognitive performance, and health may be affected by different levels of noise exposure. The awareness of harmful noise is increasing globally, and is considered a versatile risk factor for well-being and health, especially in noise polluted urban environments. Features of SmarterNoise: Sound level measurement and recording in video and audio modes Sound level activated audio recording Full HD, HD or VGA video resolution Three video quality settings Zoom and camera light Restarting of measurement Archive for saved files Sharing of saved files Calibration Smart icons Location, address Time and date display 10 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) 60 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) Max and min decibel level About decibels and sound measurement The unit for measuring noise and sound is called a decibel. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a sound with an intensity that is twice that of a reference sound corresponds to an increase of about 3 decibels. The reference point of 0 decibel is set at the intensity of the least perceptible sound, the threshold of hearing. On such a scale a 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound. Highlighting this is important as already a difference of a few decibels makes a noticeable difference in how noise is perceived. Leq is an average value describing the total sound energy over a period of time. It is however common practice to measure sound levels using A-weighting, which attenuates low and high frequencies that the average person cannot hear. In this case Leq is written LAeq. LAeq is a formulated average which emphasizes higher sound peaks, and is one of the most common measurements used by professionals to measure noise. All averages in SmarterNoise are measured in LAeq. Health effects of noise are often measured in Lden. Lden measures the average sound level over a 24 hour period, with a penalty of 5 dB added for the evening hours between 19:00 and 22:00, and a penalty of 10 dB added for the nighttime hours between 22:00 and 07:00. Increased health risks have been observed during long term exposure, which highlights the need to consider the full average sound energy over a longer period, not only temporary averages or noise peaks. About noise According to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems, after the impact of air quality. While environmental awareness in general has increased, the burden of noise has not yet been realized by the general public. People especially in urban environments are subjected to noise daily and nightly, at home and at work. Noise pollution has increased over the years due to increased traffic and air travel, urbanization, and industrial noise exposure. Because of the complex and frequent issue of everyday noise, we developed SmarterNoise in order for people to understand noise better.

Screenshots

Decibel X PRO4 screens
SmarterNoise4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SmarterNoise at Free against Decibel X PRO's $69.99. SmarterNoise also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). Decibel X PRO's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment 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

SmarterNoise is free to download; Decibel X PRO costs $69.99 up front. SmarterNoise sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Decibel X PRO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Decibel X PRO against 4.6 for SmarterNoise. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel X PRO has 6.9K ratings behind it against 115, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 74% and 75% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Decibel X PRO ships an update every 3 months, SmarterNoise every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Decibel X PRO versus SmarterNoise: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDecibel X PROSmarterNoise
Price$69.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (6.9K ratings) — better4.6 (115 ratings)
Positive reviews74.2% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.9K — better115
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB27 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSkyPaw Co., LimitedJohan Rogard

Customer experience

Decibel X PRO

All ratings6,907 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews271 reviews
Positive74.2%
Neutral5.5%
Negative20.3%

SmarterNoise

All ratings102 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral4.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Decibel X PRO

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch after recent update
  • Inability to open app on iPhone 6S and newer devices
  • Incorrect or unreadable data display on iPad

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add video recording with live dB overlay
  • Improve readability of frequency scale
  • Include dBC measurements
  • Add alarm for exceeding noise thresholds
  • Provide more detailed documentation and support
Show 1 more
  • Improve cloud/iCloud sync and data management

SmarterNoise

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Decibel X PRO

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SmarterNoise

One-time2
  • Long-term measurement$1.99
  • Remove ads$2.99

Questions

Is Decibel X PRO free?
Decibel X PRO costs $69.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmarterNoise free?
SmarterNoise is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Decibel X PRO or SmarterNoise?
Decibel X PRO is rated higher. Decibel X PRO averages 4.7 out of 5 from 6.9K ratings, while SmarterNoise averages 4.6 from 115 ratings.
Do Decibel X PRO or SmarterNoise have ads?
SmarterNoise shows ads; Decibel X PRO does not.
Which is updated more often, Decibel X PRO or SmarterNoise?
Decibel X PRO ships an update every 3 months, and SmarterNoise every 6 weeks. Most recently, Decibel X PRO was updated on September 22, 2026 and SmarterNoise on August 11, 2026.

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