# Decibel dB vs QR & Barcode Reader

The clearest difference is monetization model: QR & Barcode Reader at freemium against Decibel dB's subscription. QR & Barcode Reader also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 months). Decibel dB's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (685 vs 19). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Decibel dB sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and QR & Barcode Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Decibel dB holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel dB has 685 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Decibel dB ships an update every 4 months, QR & Barcode Reader every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Decibel dB | QR & Barcode Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (685 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-db-sound-level-meter/id1644852399/reviews)** | [4.2 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-and-barcode-reader-red-code/id6737840887/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **685** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 77.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 32 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ITincubator UAB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1617775851) | [Ilyas Aliyev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778244218) |

## What reviewers say

### Decibel dB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-db-sound-level-meter/id1644852399)

Measure ambient noise and sound levels in real-time with this tool. It helps control noise pollution and protect user health by displaying decibel values numerically and graphically. Track exposure over time with NIOSH and OSHA compliant measurements.

**Highlights:** Measure noise in decibels (dB), Track MIN, AVG, MAX sound levels, Record and export measurements, Overlay noise levels on photos/videos, NIOSH and OSHA compliant meter

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sound Level Meter Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Decibel Meter: Pro Version | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly Access | $6.99 | per month |
| Noise Level Meter (dB) Pro | $12.99 | per year |
| Yearly Access | $12.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Accurate and reliable measurements
- 🚀 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Innovative features like photo/video noise overlay
- 👍 Compliant with industry standards
- 👍 Detailed noise tracking and monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent accuracy compared to other apps
- 🐛 Doesn't detect loud noises accurately

**Reported bugs**

- Inaccurate decibel readings in some environments
- Occasional crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- Ability to record and export noise measurements
- Integration with smart home devices


### QR & Barcode Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-and-barcode-reader-red-code/id6737840887)

Easily scan QR codes and barcodes to access detailed information, view scan history, and organize your findings. Offers batch scanning and export options for efficient data management. Upgrade for unlimited scans and an ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** QR and barcode scanning, Detailed product and food info, Scan history log, Organized folders, Batch scanning, Export scans to CSV, Supports 15+ code types

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Decibel dB free?

Decibel dB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is QR & Barcode Reader free?

QR & Barcode Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Decibel dB or QR & Barcode Reader?

Decibel dB is rated higher. Decibel dB averages 4.7 out of 5 from 685 ratings, while QR & Barcode Reader averages 4.2 from 19 ratings.

### Do Decibel dB or QR & Barcode Reader have ads?

Neither Decibel dB nor QR & Barcode Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Decibel dB or QR & Barcode Reader?

Decibel dB ships an update every 4 months, and QR & Barcode Reader every 3 days. Most recently, Decibel dB was updated on October 22, 2026 and QR & Barcode Reader on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*