Comparison

FFT vs Audio / Spectrum Analyzer

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

Head to head
About

FFT

Analyze audio with high-resolution frequency and amplitude graphs. Features include a signal generator, cursor readouts, and adjustable graph smoothing. Save and export your analysis results.

Highlights
  • High-resolution amplitude vs. frequency graph
  • Built-in low-distortion signal generator
  • Adjustable graph smoothing and decay time
  • Cursor readout for dB and frequency
  • Save and export analysis graphs and data
  • Peak tracking for highest frequency identification
Features
Read full description

FFT is a high-resolution audio analysis tool for the iPhone and iPod touch. It uses the Fast Fourier Transform to analyze incoming audio, and displays a very detailed graph of amplitude vs. frequency. Use this app with the built-in iOS device microphone, or upgrade to our iAudioInterface2 or iTestMic for a complete professional solution. *** Designed for Acoustical Analysis This application has been designed for acoustics work, and so the bins have been normalized to octaves, to get a display that will show a flat line for pink noise. You can control both the level of graph smoothing and decay time, to get as much or as little detail as you require. You can also control the dB resolution of the graph, as well as the frequency range that is displayed. *** Includes Signal Generator Included in this app is the engine from our Generator app, which is a low-distortion, artifact-free signal generator. The signal generator appears as a heads-up display when you tap the icon, so you can see the graph while you adjust the generator. Generate sine waves, square waves (within limits), white noise, and pink noise, optionally in psuedo-balanced mode. All waveforms are generated in real time using high-precision algorithms. *** Cursor Readout Move your finger across the screen to get a cursor to read out exact dB levels and frequencies. *** Touch-GUI Controls Use a vertical pinch-open gesture to expand the dB scale. Use a horizontal pinch-open gesture to expand the frequency scale. *** Graph Smoothing Smooth the graph by octave, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, or 1/24 octave. Adjust the decay time from 0.5 seconds, for a very fast fluid display, to 8 seconds, or use Peak Hold or Average mode. Average mode is a true equal-weighted average, which can run continuously. *** Peak Tracking Turn on Peak Tracking to have FFT automatically find a label the frequency of the highest peak on your graph. *** Tune the Parameters Set the FFT size from 4096 to 32k points (depending on iOS device) , or select Equal Points Per Octave mode, for high-resolution analysis, even at low frequencies. *** Calibration FFT comes calibrated for the typical iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone microphone, and you can adjust the calibration. Microphone compensation files tailored to each iOS device are automatically applied. *** Save and Recall When your analysis is complete, you can save the graph image to your photo roll to include in a report, or export the data in an XLS file. *** Display Multiple Graphs Show a recalled graph on the screen in a different color. *** Difference Mode Use a stored graph as a baseline that is subtracted from the current graph in real time. *** RTA or FFT? If you are wondering if you should download this app or our FFT app, check out our website, we have a page devoted to this topic. *** Other Audio Apps Also, check out our other great audio and acoustics apps: AudioTools, our premier suite of audio and acoustics analysis apps, SPL, SPL Graph, for recording SPL over time, RTA, RT60, Generator, and Speaker Pop.

About

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer

This application analyzes audio input from your microphone, displaying both the waveform and amplitude spectrum in real-time. It offers extensive customization for display, calculation, and signal generation.

Highlights
  • Simultaneous waveform and spectrum display
  • Configurable display layouts
  • Selectable FFT size and averaging
  • Frequency weighting options (Flat, dBA, dBC)
  • Octave band analysis
  • Audio signal and noise generation
  • Peak hold and pitch meter
Read full description

This RTA app supports simultaneous display of "Audio Waveform", as well as the FFT-based "Amplitude Spectrum" (frequency magnitude) and "Spectrogram" (frequency distribution over time), for audio signals input from a microphone. (FFT: Fast Fourier Transform, RTA: Real Time Analyzer) [Features] - Supports simultaneous display of Waveform / Spectrum / Spectrogram - Supports orientation both portrait and landscape - FFT size - Window function - Spectrum average - Spectrum Tilt - Frequency weighting (Flat, dBA, dBC) - The type of expressing the frequency of Spectrum / Spectrogram (Linear, Log) - Displays the peak level and its frequency of the spectrum - Peak Hold (displays the results of holding past peak values ​​of the spectrum) - Octave Analysis (displays the spectrum divided into octave bands) - Generates the audio signal (Sine, Triangle, Squire, Saw) - Generates the noise signal (white noise, pink noise) - Pitch meter display The Pro version offers Ad-Free Viewing and High-Resolution Analysis (FFT size: 16384, 32768, Spectrum Average: 4, 8). [Setting items] 1. Screen structure : Select the display screen configuration. View Num : 1, 2 View Type : - 1 screen : Wave (Waveform) / 1D (Spectrum) / 2D (Spectrogram) - 2 screens : W+1D / W+2D / 1D+2D Layout : Vertical / Horizon 2. Frequency Axis Scale Type : Selectable the type of expressing the X direction (frequency) of Spectrum / Spectrogram. - Linear: Distributed at equal intervals - Log: The intervals increase logarithmically 3-1. FFT size : 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768 (* 16384, 32768 is available in the Pro version.) 3-2. Window function : Hanning, Hamming, Blackman, No window 4. Spectrum Average Number of spectrum average for a display of spectrum. 1, 2, 4, 8 (init value: 1) (* 4 and 8 are available in the Pro version.) Higher value will make the spectrum less noisy and more smooth, at the cost of lower time resolution. 5. Spectrum Tilt : Compensates the visual slope of the spectrum around a 1 kHz pivot. -6.0 to +6.0 dB/oct in 0.5 dB/oct steps (0 means no tilt). 6. Frequency Weighting : Selectable frequency weighting. - Flat: No frequency weighting is applied. - dB(A): Frequency response that takes into account human hearing. - dB(C): Relatively flat response. 7. Peak Hold : Displays the results of holding the past maximum values ​​(peak values) of the spectrum. 8. Octave Analysis : Displays the results of classifying the spectrum into octave bands. Division method: - FFT: Spectral display - 1/24, 1/12, 1/6, 1/3, 1 octave: Display divided into octave bands Calc method: - Max: Displays the maximum spectrum value in each band - Average: Displays the average spectrum value in each band 9. Generates the audio signal : Set the audio signal to be generated. - There are 4 types of waveform. (Sine, Triangle, Squire, Saw) - It can set the value of the frequency in 20Hz - 20000Hz. 10. Generates the noise signal : Set the noise signal to be generated. - There are 2 types of noise. (White noise, pink noise) [Other] - Background color: Black, White - WaveForm: Line Color (Green, Yellow, Invert), Line Width (1.0 ~ 6.0 px) - Spectrum: Bar color (Green, Yellow, Color patterns) - Spectrogram: Colormap, Display range (-150 ~ -60 dB), Display time (4 ~ 60 sec), Apply Spectrum Tilt - Bluetooth connection policy selection (disabled, HFP, A2DP). - Scaling of Waveform / Spectrum display in the Y direction (magnification: 0.5 - 2.0). - Scaling of Spectrum / Spectrogram display in the X direction (magnification: 1.0 - 16.0).

Screenshots

FFT4 screens
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Audio / Spectrum Analyzer at Free against FFT's $10.99. Audio / Spectrum Analyzer also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months). FFT's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On review sentiment, in-app purchases, 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

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer is free to download; FFT costs $10.99 up front. FFT sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Audio / Spectrum Analyzer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio / Spectrum Analyzer has 1K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of FFT's written reviews are positive against 79% of Audio / Spectrum Analyzer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FFT ships an update every 6 months, Audio / Spectrum Analyzer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
FFT versus Audio / Spectrum Analyzer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFFTAudio / Spectrum Analyzer
Price$10.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (6 ratings)4.6 (1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.1% of reviews — better78.6% of reviews
Number of ratings61K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB5 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperAndrew SmithLoop-Sessions.LLC.

Customer experience

FFT

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive86.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative11.1%

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer

All ratings1,048 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative18.4%

Bugs and requests

FFT

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Stuck on latest measurement
  • White noise instead of expected functionality
  • Disconnects AirPods

Requested features

4 requests
  • Sampling rate adjustment
  • Wave shape tracking
  • Audio file analysis
  • Octave analysis

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FFT

One-time1
  • Reference Curve Files$9.99
1 purchases

Audio / Spectrum Analyzer

One-time1
  • Pro (Remove ads, High-Res analysis)$11.49

Questions

Is FFT free?
FFT costs $10.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Audio / Spectrum Analyzer free?
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FFT or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer?
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer is rated higher. FFT averages 4.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Audio / Spectrum Analyzer averages 4.6 from 1K ratings.
Do FFT or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer have ads?
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer shows ads; FFT does not.
Which is updated more often, FFT or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer?
FFT ships an update every 6 months, and Audio / Spectrum Analyzer every 2 weeks. Most recently, FFT was updated on September 22, 2026 and Audio / Spectrum Analyzer on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons