# SPL Meter vs Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA

The clearest difference is price: Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA at Free against SPL Meter's $0.99. Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (3K vs 29). SPL Meter's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 44%) and chart position (#66 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA is free to download; SPL Meter costs $0.99 up front. SPL Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA has 3K ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of SPL Meter's written reviews are positive against 44% of Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SPL Meter ships an update every 3 months, Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL Meter | Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756/reviews) | **[4.5 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-spectrum-analyzer-db-rta/id1281873790/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **3K** |
| Positive reviews | **72.9% of reviews** | 43.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#66** | — |
| Size | 36 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) | [Marina Polyanskaya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519482916) |

## What reviewers say

### SPL Meter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756)

**Currently charting:** #66 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This application functions as a professional-grade sound level meter, measuring decibels (dB) with advanced DSP algorithms. It offers adjustable filters, decay rates, and ranges, and can be calibrated for accuracy. It supports both internal and external microphones for versatile sound measurement.

**Highlights:** A and C weighting filters, ANSI Fast or Slow decay, 40dB to 120dB ranges, Adjustable calibration, Internal/External mic support, Universal app

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Controls & Ad-Free | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate sound level measurements when calibrated
- 💰 Excellent value at $0.99 price point
- 📱 Works across multiple Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
- 🎯 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🔧 Analog meter design looks professional and authentic

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent and unstable meter readings
- 💳 Pricing discrepancies (advertised as $0.99 but charged $6.99)
- 📐 UI scaling issues on various screen sizes and orientations
- 🔍 Text and meter display too small to read easily
- 🖼️ Outdated retro interface design

**Reported bugs**

- Meter readings change completely and are not stable
- App crashes on iPhone 6s Plus with jumbled screen display
- Screen scaling issues on iPad models
- Display glitches when rotating device between portrait and landscape
- Greyed out settings after installation

**Requested features**

- Larger meter display in landscape mode
- Digital-only display option without analog meter face
- Peak hold and min/max reading indicators
- Time-based decibel graph visualization
- Linear response visual option in addition to logarithmic


### Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-spectrum-analyzer-db-rta/id1281873790)

Analyze sound frequencies and decibel levels with this advanced tool. Ideal for tuning audio systems, it offers real-time spectrum analysis and sound metering for various applications.

**Highlights:** Octave Band Real-Time Analyzer, FFT Plot - Fast Fourier Transform, Integrated Sound Level Meter (dB-A), Multispectral Harmonic Analyzer, Hold Max and Min Peaks, Various Window Functions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Spectrum Analyzer Pro | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent audio analysis tool
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable frequency range
- 🔍 Accurate real-time spectrum visualization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔁 Constant prompts to upgrade to Pro version
- 🔌 High battery consumption
- 📊 Inaccurate frequency tracking in some modes

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing and crashing on certain devices
- Incorrect frequency readings in Octave RTA mode
- Inability to switch between microphone sources

**Requested features**

- External microphone support
- Ability to save and compare measurement results
- More detailed instructions and tutorials
- Vertical orientation option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPL Meter free?

SPL Meter costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SPL Meter or Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA?

Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA is rated higher. SPL Meter averages 4.0 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA averages 4.5 from 3K ratings.

### Do SPL Meter or Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA have ads?

Neither SPL Meter nor Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPL Meter or Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA?

SPL Meter ships an update every 3 months, and Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA every 5 months. Most recently, SPL Meter was updated on October 27, 2026 and Audio Spectrum Analyzer dB RTA on October 22, 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.*