# SPL vs Spectrum Analyzer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SPL at 68% against Spectrum Analyzer's 5%. SPL also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and ads (none vs shown). Spectrum Analyzer's advantage is price (Free vs $8.99) and rating (4.2 vs 3.0). On device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Spectrum Analyzer is free to download; SPL costs $8.99 up front. Spectrum Analyzer sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. SPL asks for nothing beyond the download.

Spectrum Analyzer holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectrum Analyzer has 197 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of SPL's written reviews are positive against 5% of Spectrum Analyzer'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, Spectrum Analyzer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL | Spectrum Analyzer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $8.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl/id293573990/reviews) | **[4.2 (197 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-spectrogram/id981810895/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **197** |
| Positive reviews | **67.6% of reviews** | 5.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Size | 29 MB | 132 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) | [Music Breath](https://appshunter.io/developer/1140008995) |

## 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


### Spectrum Analyzer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-spectrogram/id981810895)

Visualize audio frequencies with real-time analysis. Features include a sound level meter, multichannel harmonic analysis, and adjustable graphical representations. Gain insights into your sound environment with advanced tools.

**Highlights:** Sound level meter, Multichannel harmonic analysis, Adjustable graphics, AI-powered sound source analyzer, Real-time analysis, FFT analysis

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer | $9.99 | per month |
| One Month Sale | $9.99 | per month |
| 1 Week Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Year Sub. with discount | $19.99 | per year |
| 1 Month Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Subscription | $25.99 | per 3 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| 2 months subscription | $39.99 | per 2 months |
| No Ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| Additional Settings Controls | $15.99 | one-time |
| Full Pack + No Ads | $19.99 | one-time |
| Get More | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate frequency identification
- ✅ Clear and easy-to-read display
- ✅ Useful noise floor setup feature
- ✅ Works well when ads are removed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Extremely aggressive monetization strategy
- 📢 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔊 Loud ads that ignore device mute settings
- 🚫 Requires subscription/payment to access core features
- 😤 Deceptive purchase practices and accidental charges

**Reported bugs**

- App becomes unusable after iOS 16 update
- Crashes immediately on iPhone 5 with iOS 7
- Cannot exit app on iPhone X without reboot
- App freezes when changing settings or views
- Inaccurate frequency readings

**Requested features**

- Audio file import functionality
- Customizable background colors for chroma key compatibility
- Ability to record audio instead of only analyzing
- Better documentation and help files
- Improved sensitivity for detecting soft sounds


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPL free?

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

### Is Spectrum Analyzer free?

Spectrum Analyzer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SPL or Spectrum Analyzer?

Spectrum Analyzer is rated higher. SPL averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Spectrum Analyzer averages 4.2 from 197 ratings.

### Do SPL or Spectrum Analyzer have ads?

Spectrum Analyzer shows ads; SPL does not.

### Which is updated more often, SPL or Spectrum Analyzer?

SPL ships an update every 6 months, and Spectrum Analyzer fortnightly. Most recently, SPL was updated on September 23, 2026 and Spectrum Analyzer on September 24, 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.*