Comparison

SoundMeter X vs SmarterNoise Pro

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

Head to head
About

SoundMeter X

Transform your device into a professional sound level meter, noise dosimeter, and spectrum analyzer. Log data, calibrate sensitivity, and analyze audio with advanced features. Offers a free trial for premium functionalities.

Highlights
  • Handheld data-logging sound level meter
  • Data-logging noise dosimeter
  • Real-time octave spectrum analyzer
  • Multi-channel data recorder
  • Stereo signal generator
  • Sensitivity calibration
  • Data logging in CSV, TXT, MAT, and PDF
Features
Read full description

SoundMeter X turns your iPhone or iPad into a handheld data-logging sound level meter (SLM), data-logging noise dosimeter, stereo signal generator, multi-channel data recorder, and real-time whole or 1/3 octave band spectrum analyzer (subscription or perpetual license required for most features--14-day free trial available). Input signals can be acquired from any available audio input path. Sensitivity calibration can also be performed for any audio input device and/or input channel. Direct hardware support (automatic sensitivity calibration, based on factory-defined values) for The Modal Shop’s 2-channel 485B39 USB-ICP interface and miniDSP’s UMIK-1, UMIK-2, and EARS microphones. In addition to real-time sound level measurements, SoundMeter can stream raw sound data to audio files, and store acquired sound level data, including date, time, and location, in CSV or TXT (tab-delimited) files, MAT-files, or high-resolution PDF images for later retrieval from your device. SoundMeter may be downloaded for free from the App Store. Additional tools and features are offered via in-app purchase. The SoundMeter Pro subscription includes: - User-defined custom metadata in saved audio and data files - Level MeterLp, Leq, Lx sound levels -- Standard Flat, A, C frequency weighting -- Standard Fast, Slow, Impulse time weighting -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. -- Event notifications - Max Levels Meter -- Traffic-light-style meters make it easy to monitor 2 separate sound level thresholds in 2 independent user-defined frequency bands. -- Define lower (warning) and higher (limit) sound level thresholds for overall (full audio band) levels as well as for individual octave frequency bands. -- Store user-defined thresholds in files for later recall. - Noise Dosimeter -- 8-hour Noise Dose, Projected Dose, TWA calculations -- Criterion Levels: 80, 85, 90 dB -- Exchange Rates: 3, 4, 5 dB -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. - Real-time Octave Spectrum Analyzer (RTA) -- Lp, Leq, Lx sound levels -- Supports whole or 1/3-octave frequency bands -- Standard Flat, A, C frequency weighting -- Standard Fast, Slow, Impulse time weighting -- NC, RNC, and NR references curves, NC, SIL, and NR values -- Data logging. Data can be logged as often as every 0.1 seconds for up to 8 hours, every second for up to 72 hours, or every 10 seconds for up to two weeks. - Multi-channel Data Recorder -- Supports up to 8 channels -- Live monitoring of recorded data -- Metadata (including calibrated sensitivity) embedded in audio file (AIF, CAF, WAV), optionally saved in separate data file - Stereo Signal Generator -- Left and right outputs assigned to arbitrary hardware output channels -- Random and pseudorandom (periodic) noise sequences with white or pink spectrum -- Linear and logarithmic frequency sweeps -- Dual periodic waveforms with arbitrary frequency and phase difference - MultiTool -- Powerful data monitoring and project management (Add 2-6 subtools, depending on screen size, and save configurations for easy recall at a later time.) The SignalScope X Pro Tool Set subscription can be shared between SoundMeter X and SignalScope X. It unlocks all tools and features of the SoundMeter Pro subscription in SoundMeter X and all tools and features of the Pro Tool Set subscription in SignalScope X (iCloud login required). Learn more about SoundMeter X at FaberAcoustical.com. Subscription Terms: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/apps/subscriptions/terms.html Privacy Policy: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/privacy.html Terms and Conditions for FaberAcoustical.com: https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/terms.html

About

SmarterNoise Pro

This advanced sound level meter app offers detailed audio analysis with features like frequency spectrum display and data export. It allows for precise sound measurements in both video and audio recording modes, with options for A-, C-, or no weighting.

Highlights
  • Sound level measurement in video/audio modes
  • Frequency spectrum display
  • Export measurement data (CSV)
  • Sound level activated audio recording
  • Calibration tool
  • Full HD video recording (paid)
Features
Read full description

SmarterNoise Pro is the most advanced edition of the SmarterNoise recording sound level meters. SmarterNoise Pro edition is developed especially with more advanced measurements in mind, and includes many requested features such as a frequency spectrum display, export of measurement data, A-, C- or no weighting for sound level measurement, and full screen audio mode. SmarterNoise Pro edition does not contain any advertising, and performs accurately and fast. Features: • Sound level measurement in video mode • Sound level measurement in audio mode • Sound meter snapshot camera • Record video and audio files (paid function) • Recording timer • Sound level activated audio recording • Frequency spectrum display (paid function) • Peak frequency detection • A-, C- or no frequency weighting • Export of measurement data in CSV format • Full HD (paid function), HD and VGA video resolution • Three video quality settings • Archive for saved files • Sharing of saved files • Calibration • Save location of measurement (optional) • Time and date • Continuous Leq, LAeq, LCeq value • 10 second sound level average (Leq, LAeq, LCeq) • 60 second sound level average (Leq, LAeq, LCeq) • Maximum and minimum decibel level About decibels and sound level measurement The unit for measuring 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 few decibels higher or lower makes a noticeable difference in how noise is perceived. The preferred method to describe sound levels that vary over time, resulting in a single decibel value measuring the total sound energy over the period, is called Leq. It is however common practice to measure sound levels using A-weighting, which attenuates lower and higher frequencies that the average person cannot hear. In this case the value is called LAeq. A- and C-weighting The A-weighting is a standard, commonly used filter that attempts to alter the measured sound pressure levels to more closely match the perception of the human ear. A-weighting makes the sound level meter less sensitive to very high (over 8000 Hz) and low frequencies (below 1000 Hz). C-weighting also attenuates low and high frequencies, but the attenuation of low frequencies is much less severe compared to A-weighting. Calibrate: Calibrate the application using the calibration tool found in the settings menu. Phones and their components vary in quality and setup so you need to calibrate the app in order for the results to be relatively comparable. One suggestion is that you close the window and door to your bedroom or bathroom, turn off appliances, and once its very quiet calibrate the app so the reading is about 30 decibel.

Screenshots

SoundMeter X4 screens
SmarterNoise Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmarterNoise Pro at 4.4 against SoundMeter X's 3.6. SmarterNoise Pro also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. SoundMeter X sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and SmarterNoise Pro sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmarterNoise Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 31 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of SoundMeter X's written reviews are positive against 29% of SmarterNoise Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundMeter X ships an update every 3 weeks, SmarterNoise Pro monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SoundMeter X versus SmarterNoise Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundMeter XSmarterNoise Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (45 ratings)4.4 (31 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.6% of reviews28.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings45 — better31
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB24 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperFaber Acoustical, LLCJohan Rogard

Customer experience

SoundMeter X

All ratings45 ratings
Positive62.2%
Neutral8.9%
Negative28.9%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive22.6%
Neutral6.5%
Negative71.0%

SmarterNoise Pro

All ratings31 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral12.9%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral28.6%
Negative42.9%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

SoundMeter X

Subscriptions4
  • SoundMeter Pro, 1 Month14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro Tool Set, 1 Month14 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • SoundMeter Pro, 1 Year14 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Tool Set, 1 Year14 Days trial$249.991 Year
One-time3
  • 14-day Free Trial, SoundMeter ProFree
  • SoundMeter Pro 2026 Upgrade$29.99
  • SoundMeter Pro 2026$99.99
4 purchases

SmarterNoise Pro

One-time4
  • Camera upgrade$0.99
  • Frequency spectrum indicator$1.99
  • Video and audio recording$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Spectrogram display$1.99

Questions

Is SoundMeter X free?
SoundMeter X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SmarterNoise Pro free?
SmarterNoise Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SoundMeter X or SmarterNoise Pro?
SmarterNoise Pro is rated higher. SoundMeter X averages 3.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while SmarterNoise Pro averages 4.4 from 31 ratings.
Do SoundMeter X or SmarterNoise Pro have ads?
Neither SoundMeter X nor SmarterNoise Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoundMeter X or SmarterNoise Pro?
SoundMeter X ships an update every 3 weeks, and SmarterNoise Pro monthly. Most recently, SoundMeter X was updated on September 29, 2026 and SmarterNoise Pro on September 22, 2026.

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