Comparison

SoundMeter X vs Building Acoustics Partner

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

Building Acoustics Partner

Features
Read full description

Together with HBK 2255 sound level meter, Building Acoustics Partner is a complete solution for sound insulation measurements. Building Acoustics Partner provides full workflow support for sound insulation testing according to national and international standards, including ISO 16283. Easy and intelligent measurement reuse helps to make your testing as efficient as possible, while instant result calculations and measurement quality indicators give you confidence in your data. Describe site conditions using photo, video, text and voice note annotations. Building Acoustics Partner is also prepared for the most challenging testing situations, with the ability to use serial measurement of individual 1/3 octave bands, markers to exclude unwanted sounds, and more.

Screenshots

SoundMeter X4 screens
Building Acoustics Partner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Building Acoustics Partner at none against SoundMeter X's 7. Building Acoustics Partner also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). SoundMeter X's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. SoundMeter X sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Building Acoustics Partner asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundMeter X ships an update every 3 weeks, Building Acoustics Partner every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SoundMeter X versus Building Acoustics Partner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundMeter XBuilding Acoustics Partner
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (45 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews22.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings45 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB210 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFaber Acoustical, LLCHottinger Bruel & Kjaer A/S

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
None

Building Acoustics Partner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SoundMeter X free?
SoundMeter X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Building Acoustics Partner free?
Building Acoustics Partner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SoundMeter X or Building Acoustics Partner have ads?
Neither SoundMeter X nor Building Acoustics Partner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoundMeter X or Building Acoustics Partner?
SoundMeter X ships an update every 3 weeks, and Building Acoustics Partner every 4 months. Most recently, SoundMeter X was updated on October 29, 2026 and Building Acoustics Partner on October 29, 2026.

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