Comparison

dBMeter vs Sound Meter (SPL meter)

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

Head to head
About

dBMeter

This application precisely measures sound intensity in real time using your device's microphone. It displays minimum, maximum, and average decibel levels, offers a noise-time graph, and allows for microphone calibration. The tool is ideal for monitoring ambient noise in various environments and exporting data for analysis.

Highlights
  • Real-time decibel measurement
  • Min, max, and average values
  • Noise-time graph
  • Microphone calibration
  • Background operation
  • CSV data export
  • Timer option
Features
Read full description

dBMeter is a powerful and precise noise level meter (decibel meter) that measures sound intensity in real time using your iPhone’s microphone. - Main features • Real-time sound level measurement (dB). • Displays min, max, and average values. • Noise-time graph for detailed analysis. • Microphone calibration for accurate readings. • Works in background or screen-off mode. • CSV export for reports and data analysis. • Timer option. • Light and dark themes. • Optimized for iPhone and iPad. - Ideal for: • Monitoring ambient noise at home, work, or events. • Checking traffic, music, or machinery noise levels. • Musicians, engineers, teachers, and professionals. - Reliable, simple, and accurate — monitor your sound environment anywhere.

About

Sound Meter (SPL meter)

This utility app uses your device's microphone to measure ambient noise levels in decibels. It displays readings with graphical representations and provides historical data like minimum, average, and maximum values. Calibration options are available for different devices.

Highlights
  • Measures noise in decibels (dB)
  • Displays decibel readings on a gauge
  • Shows current, min, avg, and max dB values
  • Graphs decibel levels over time
  • Tracks elapsed time of measurements
  • Allows device-specific decibel calibration
Features
Read full description

Sound Meter is also known as Sound Pressure Level meter (SPL meter) , noise level meter, decibel meter(dB meter), sound level meter or soundmeter. You can experience tidy graphic design with high frame by this smart sound meter app. The noise level meter or sound pressure level Meter(SPL meter) use the smartphone or tablet microphone to measure environmental noise in decibels(dB). The decibel(dB) value of this noise level meter or soundmeter might be vary compare with an actual Sound Meter(dB Meter). Features: - Indicates decibel by gauge - Display the current noise reference - Display min/avg/max decibel values - Display decibel by graph line - Display Elapsed time of decibel - Can calibrate the decibel for each devices NOTE: Microphones in most devices are aligned to human voice and the maximum values are limited by the hardware. Very loud sounds (~90 dB and more) may not be recognized. So please use it as just an auxiliary tools. If you need more accurate dB values, we recommend a actual sound level meter for that.

Screenshots

dBMeter4 screens
Sound Meter (SPL meter)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: dBMeter at Free against Sound Meter (SPL meter)'s $0.99. dBMeter also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 29%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, monetization model 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

dBMeter is free to download; Sound Meter (SPL meter) costs $0.99 up front. Sound Meter (SPL meter) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. dBMeter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dBMeter ships an update every 3 months, Sound Meter (SPL meter) every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
dBMeter versus Sound Meter (SPL meter): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdBMeterSound Meter (SPL meter)
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating3.6 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better28.6% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supportedAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRamon Palacios Saez庆鸿 林

Customer experience

dBMeter

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

Sound Meter (SPL meter)

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

In-app purchases

None

dBMeter

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sound Meter (SPL meter)

One-time1
  • Premium Access$0.99

Questions

Is dBMeter free?
dBMeter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sound Meter (SPL meter) free?
Sound Meter (SPL meter) costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do dBMeter or Sound Meter (SPL meter) have ads?
Both dBMeter and Sound Meter (SPL meter) show ads.
Which is updated more often, dBMeter or Sound Meter (SPL meter)?
dBMeter ships an update every 3 months, and Sound Meter (SPL meter) every 6 weeks. Most recently, dBMeter was updated on October 29, 2026 and Sound Meter (SPL meter) on October 24, 2026.

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