# SPL Meter vs dB Volume

The clearest difference is price: dB Volume at Free against SPL Meter's $0.99. dB Volume also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). SPL Meter's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 44%) and rating (4.1 vs 3.8). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

dB Volume is free to download; SPL Meter costs $0.99 up front. SPL Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. dB Volume asks for nothing beyond the download.

SPL Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of SPL Meter's written reviews are positive against 44% of dB Volume's.

SPL Meter ships an update every 4 months, dB Volume every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL Meter | dB Volume |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.1 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756/reviews)** | [3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db-volume/id457245262/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **28** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | **72.9% of reviews** | 44.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 36 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 Meter

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

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


### 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 Meter free?

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

### Is dB Volume free?

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

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

SPL Meter is rated higher. SPL Meter averages 4.1 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while dB Volume averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.

### Do SPL Meter or dB Volume have ads?

Neither SPL Meter nor dB Volume shows ads.

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

SPL Meter ships an update every 4 months, and dB Volume every 2 months. Most recently, SPL Meter was updated on September 27, 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.*