# SPL vs AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio

The clearest difference is price: SPL at $8.99 against AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's $19.99. SPL also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11). AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months). On review sentiment, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SPL costs $8.99 and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio $19.99 up front. AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. SPL asks for nothing beyond the download.

AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio has 5.1K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of SPL's written reviews are positive against 75% of AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's.

SPL ships an update every 6 months, AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL | AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$8.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl/id293573990/reviews) | **[4.8 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiotools-db-sound-and-audio/id325307477/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **5.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 67.6% of reviews | **75.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#30** |
| Size | 30 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) |

## What reviewers say

### SPL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl/id293573990)

This professional-grade digital sound level meter measures decibels with advanced modes and filters meeting ANSI Type 1 standards. It allows storing, exporting, and calibrating measurements, and can be used with external calibrated microphones for precise results.

**Highlights:** Professional-grade digital sound level meter, ANSI/IEC Type 1 standards compliant filters and modes, Store, recall, and export GPS/time-stamped results, Supports external calibrated microphones, Adjustable calibration for accuracy, Internal mic compensation filter

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiotools-db-sound-and-audio/id325307477)

**Currently charting:** #30 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This professional audio analysis app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for acoustic measurements, including SPL, RTA, and FFT. It calibrates device microphones for accurate results and allows for the addition of powerful optional modules for advanced analysis.

**Highlights:** SPL Meter with A/C weighting, Real Time Analyzer (RTA), Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis, Speaker Polarity Test, Audio Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, Audio Recorder

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All-In Module Access | $9.99 | per month |
| VU Meter | $2.99 | one-time |
| Polarity Test Module | $3.99 | one-time |
| ETC Module | $5.99 | one-time |
| Speaker Distortion | $5.99 | one-time |
| SPL Pro Module | $7.99 | one-time |
| SPL Graph Module | $9.99 | one-time |
| SPL Traffic Light | $9.99 | one-time |
| SoundScope VR | $24.99 | one-time |
| LARSA | $29.99 | one-time |
| IR Module | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful audio tools
- 🚀 Regularly updated
- 💡 Industry-standard features
- 👍 Accurate measurements
- 👍 Great support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Many features locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Buggy iOS port
- 🔒 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality
- 🐛 Microphone issues

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch
- Inaccurate SPL and frequency measurements
- Compatibility issues with iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Add manual
- Improve file export and sharing
- Improve user interface
- Add support for external microphones


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPL free?

SPL costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio free?

AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SPL or AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio?

AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio is rated higher. SPL averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio averages 4.8 from 5.1K ratings.

### Do SPL or AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio have ads?

Neither SPL nor AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPL or AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio?

SPL ships an update every 6 months, and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio fortnightly. Most recently, SPL was updated on October 27, 2026 and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio on October 27, 2026.

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