SmarterNoise vs Decibel Meter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Decibel Meter
Easily measure sound levels with this accurate and intuitive tool. It displays current, maximum, and average decibel values, along with a graphical overview for quick comprehension. This utility is completely free to use.
- Simple and easy to use
- Quick and accurate dB measuring
- All-in-one meter
- Maximum, current, and average values
- Gauge meter display
- Values displayed in graph
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Understand the sound levels around you with a clear live meter, responsive graph, and session recording. FREE FEATURES • Live estimated sound-level readings • Current, minimum, average, and maximum values • Real-time history graph • Manual calibration offset • Recording playback PREMIUM FEATURES • Ad-free measuring • Advanced response-time options • Additional frequency modes • Automatic recording saves • Saved measurement history Decibel Meter uses your device microphone only while measuring. Phone microphone readings are estimates and are not a substitute for a calibrated professional sound-level meter or workplace safety equipment. Subscription pricing and trial availability are shown before purchase and may vary by region. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.devnex.nl/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.devnex.nl/privacy-policy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
SmarterNoise and Decibel Meter both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of SmarterNoise's written reviews are positive against 57% of Decibel Meter's. SmarterNoise also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.1). Decibel Meter's advantage is ratings volume (719 vs 117). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. SmarterNoise sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Decibel Meter sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SmarterNoise against 4.6 for Decibel Meter. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel Meter has 719 ratings behind it against 117, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of SmarterNoise's written reviews are positive against 57% of Decibel Meter's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | SmarterNoise | Decibel Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (117 ratings) — better | 4.6 (719 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 56.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 117 | 719 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Johan Rogard | Devnex |
Customer experience
SmarterNoise
Decibel Meter
Bugs and requests
SmarterNoise
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Decibel Meter
Reported bugs
2 issues- Unable to close the app or cancel Google requests
- Recordings not saving despite claims of free saving
Requested features
3 requests- Add ability to save/export recordings
- Provide more customization options (weighting, etc.)
- Improve stability and reduce crashes
In-app purchases
SmarterNoise
- Long-term measurement$1.99
- Remove ads$2.99
Decibel Meter
- Weekly subscription3 Days trial$1.997 Days
- Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
- Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
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- Half-Yearly Subscription$9.496 Months
Questions
Is SmarterNoise free?
Is Decibel Meter free?
Which has better reviews, SmarterNoise or Decibel Meter?
Do SmarterNoise or Decibel Meter have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmarterNoise or Decibel Meter?
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