Comparison

SmarterNoise vs Simple Sound Meter

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

Head to head
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.

About

Simple Sound Meter

Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Simple Sound Meter is a fast, visual way to monitor ambient noise. It listens to the microphone and fills your screen with a color that reflects your current sound level—green for quiet, yellow for moderate, and red for loud. Features - Full-screen color indicator (green → yellow → red) - Custom thresholds to match your environment - Optional warning sound when the highest threshold is reached - Choose from multiple warning sounds - Optional red hold and red/white flash for loud events - Keep screen awake while the app is open Privacy Audio is processed on-device for live feedback. This app does not store recordings and does not collect personal data. “What’s New” (Version 1.0) Initial release: live color sound meter, customizable thresholds, warning sounds, red hold + optional flashing.

Screenshots

SmarterNoise4 screens
Simple Sound Meter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SmarterNoise at Free against Simple Sound Meter's $0.99. SmarterNoise also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.2). Simple Sound Meter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On 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; Simple Sound Meter costs $0.99 up front. SmarterNoise sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Simple Sound Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
SmarterNoise versus Simple Sound Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmarterNoiseSimple Sound Meter
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.6 (115 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings115 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank—#122 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB5 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperJohan RogardMichael Jones

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SmarterNoise

One-time2
  • Long-term measurement$1.99
  • Remove ads$2.99
None

Simple Sound Meter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmarterNoise free?
SmarterNoise is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Sound Meter free?
Simple Sound Meter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SmarterNoise or Simple Sound Meter have ads?
SmarterNoise shows ads; Simple Sound Meter does not.

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