# SPL Meter vs AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio

The clearest difference is price: SPL Meter at $0.99 against AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's $19.99. AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.

SPL Meter costs $0.99 and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio $19.99 up front. SPL Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio has 5.1K ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of SPL Meter's written reviews are positive against 75% of AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio's.

SPL Meter ships an update every 3 months, AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL Meter | AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756/reviews) | **[4.8 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiotools-db-sound-and-audio/id325307477/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **5.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 72.9% of reviews | **75.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #95 | **#53** |
| Size | 36 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 Meter

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

**Currently charting:** #95 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


### AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio

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

**Currently charting:** #53 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, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| 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 |
| 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 Meter free?

SPL Meter costs $0.99, and also offers 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 Meter or AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio?

AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio is rated higher. SPL Meter averages 4.0 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio averages 4.8 from 5.1K ratings.

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

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

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

SPL Meter ships an update every 3 months, and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio fortnightly. Most recently, SPL Meter was updated on October 31, 2026 and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio on October 31, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SPL Meter or AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio?

SPL Meter currently peaks at #95 in the App Store charts, and AudioTools, dB, Sound & Audio at #53. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*