SmarterNoise vs Decibel Pro
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 Pro
Transform your device into a professional sound level meter and noise dosimeter. Track real-time audio levels, monitor daily noise exposure, and generate detailed reports with photos and videos. Customize settings for various environments and receive alerts for loud noises.
- Real-time sound level readings (dBA, dBC, dB)
- Noise dosimeter with OSHA/NIOSH standards
- Background measurement with Live Activity
- Save and export measurements (PDF, CSV)
- Photos/videos with sound level stamps
- Customizable alerts and profiles
- Sync with Apple Health
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Decibel Pro turns your iPhone or iPad into a sound level meter and noise dosimeter. See how loud it is right now, how much noise you have taken in today, and keep a record you can show to others. SOUND LEVEL METER • Real-time readings in dBA, dBC or unweighted dB • Average (Leq), minimum, maximum and peak for every measurement • Slow, Fast and Impulse response times, as defined by IEC 61672 • Every level explained in plain words, from quiet to harmful • A live chart of the level and an octave-band spectrum NOISE DOSIMETER • Your daily noise dose against the OSHA or NIOSH standard • TWA, maximum level, projected dose and the time left at the current level • Keeps measuring in the background, with a Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island LIBRARY AND REPORTS • Save measurements with their time and, if you like, their location • Search and compare measurements, shifts, photos and videos • Export as PDF or CSV • Photos and videos with the sound level stamped on them SUMMARY AND ALERTS • Your daily exposure over 7 and 30 days, with the 7-day average and the noisiest day • A loud noise alert at the threshold you choose • A weekly summary • Sync with Apple Health SET UP FOR HOW YOU USE IT • Profiles for General, Work & Shift, Sensitive Hearing, Sleep & Kids, Stage & Studio and Log & Evidence set up the Lock Screen card and alerts for you • Home Screen widgets • Calibration against a reference meter • A glossary and a reference chart of everyday sounds • Designed for iPad as well as iPhone ABOUT ACCURACY iPhone and iPad microphones are most reliable between about 30 and 100 dB; louder sounds can be clipped by the hardware. Decibel Pro is for information only and does not replace a certified sound level meter. Questions or ideas: ealtaca@gmail.com Privacy Policy: https://altaca.notion.site/Decibel-Pro-Privacy-Policy-407dd1c646a0805997f4fc99a96eba4b Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Decibel Pro at none against SmarterNoise's 2. Decibel Pro also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (83% vs 75%). SmarterNoise's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 36 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. SmarterNoise sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Decibel Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.
SmarterNoise holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 118 and 75 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of SmarterNoise's written reviews are positive against 83% of Decibel Pro's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
SmarterNoise ships an update every 6 weeks, Decibel Pro every 36 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmarterNoise | Decibel Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (118 ratings) — better | 4.4 (75 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 118 — better | 75 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 36 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Johan Rogard | Emre Can Altaca |
Customer experience
SmarterNoise
Decibel Pro
In-app purchases
SmarterNoise
- Long-term measurement$1.99
- Remove ads$2.99
Decibel Pro
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmarterNoise free?
Is Decibel Pro free?
Which has better reviews, SmarterNoise or Decibel Pro?
Do SmarterNoise or Decibel Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmarterNoise or Decibel Pro?
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