# SPL vs dB Volume

The clearest difference is price: dB Volume at Free against SPL's $8.99. dB Volume also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). SPL's advantage is review sentiment (68% vs 44%). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

dB Volume is free to download; SPL costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

dB Volume holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 13 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of SPL's written reviews are positive against 44% of dB Volume's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SPL ships an update every 6 months, dB Volume every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL | dB Volume |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $8.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl/id293573990/reviews) | **[3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db-volume/id457245262/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **13** |
| Positive reviews | **67.6% of reviews** | 44.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 29 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) | [DSP Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/454225356) |

## 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


### dB Volume

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db-volume/id457245262)

Transform your iPhone into a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. Measure environmental noises with adjustable weighting curves and response times, including Leq measurement. Ideal for understanding ambient sound levels.

**Highlights:** Sound Pressure Level (SPL) Meter, Adjustable weighting curves (A, B, C, Z), Adjustable response times (Impulse, Slow, Fast), Leq measurement, Peak hold function

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Free to use
- 📏 Accurate readings (historically)
- 🔊 Useful for volume adjustment
- 💡 Good for quick dB rating

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Stopped working (frequently)
- ❌ Incompatible with newer iOS/devices
- 📉 Readings often inaccurate/low
- ⚠️ Technical for novices
- 💰 Expensive pro version

**Reported bugs**

- Does not open anymore
- No audio signal
- Shows "0db"
- Freezes every time
- Non responsive

**Requested features**

- Update for newer iOS versions
- Improve accuracy
- Add calibration feature
- Explain settings/buttons
- Improve user interface


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPL free?

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

### Is dB Volume free?

dB Volume is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SPL or dB Volume?

dB Volume is rated higher. SPL averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while dB Volume averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.

### Do SPL or dB Volume have ads?

Neither SPL nor dB Volume shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPL or dB Volume?

SPL ships an update every 6 months, and dB Volume every 2 months. Most recently, SPL was updated on September 28, 2026 and dB Volume on August 28, 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.*