Comparison

SPL Meter vs Spectrum Analyzer RTA

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

Head to head
About

SPL Meter

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
Read full description

SPL Meter is a professional-grade sound level meter, also known as a decibel or dB meter, for your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Modeled after a traditional analog SPL meter, we have faithfully reproduced all the characteristics and qualities found in those meters, including the ballistics, ranges, filters, and decay rates. Under the hood we have advanced DSP-based algorithms that meet or exceed ANSI / IEC Type 1 standards. And starting with iOS 6, we can disable the mic filters and limiters, to get the real world performance of a hand-held SPL meter. And now, upgrade SPL Meter with iTestMic, our pro-grade test & measurement mic, made specifically for iOS devices. Using iTestMic with SPL Meter, you get a calibrated, accurate SPL Meter, that meets industry standards for Type 2 performance. See our website for more information. But don't compare us to a Radio Shack meter, ours is much more accurate! We have also included a digital LCD display, as shown in the image, to make this the best SPL meter available for iPhone or iPad. And this is something that the old analog meters never had! The screen will flip when you flip the phone over, so that you can point the iPhone mic directly at the sound source. (iPhone X does not support upside down mode) SPL Meter is a universal app -- buy once, and use on all of your iOS devices. SPL Meter is built by the same team that created the other great professional audio and acoustics apps on the store, Studio Six Digital. Built on the engine of our more expensive "SPL" app, SPL Meter's filters and decay rates meet or exceed ANSI type 1. This app is not a toy or a game. SPL Meter is the one audio app that everyone who works in audio must have on their phone! Not only have we made the best one, but we've priced it so you can't afford not to get it. *** FEATURES: FILTERS -- A and C weighting filters are provided. DECAY -- Choose ANSI Fast or Slow. RANGES -- 40dB to 120dB in 9 ranges. CALIBRATION -- Comes pre-calibrated for the typical iPhone or iPad built-in and headset mic, but you can adjust the calibration if you have a professional, calibrated meter to compare it to. Accesses our cloud-based iOS device calibration database, which we updates as new devices are released. INTERNAL / EXTERNAL MIC -- Select Internal to activate the included compensation filter, which is designed to flatten the frequency response of the built-in or headset mic. External will work with our iPhone Measurement Mic, to be released later this summer. See our website for more details. SPL Meter is bargain-priced to make it easy for anyone to check out one of our professional, accurate apps. Studio Six Digital is dedicated to making the iPhone and Touch a professional audio and acoustics test device. Check out our full line of professional-grade audio and acoustics apps: SPL, the professional digital iPhone sound level meter, SPL Graph, for recording SPL over time, RTA, a 1/3 octave real-time analyzer, FFT, for detailed acoustic analysis, ETC, the energy-time curve function, RT60, for automated octave-band decay time measurement, Speaker Pop, to test speaker polarity, and Generator, the iPhone signal generator. Also, if you are looking for more great acoustical and audio test apps, have a look at AudioTools, our premier app for audio professionals.

About

Spectrum Analyzer RTA

This real-time audio analysis app provides precision measurement and visualization for sound frequencies. It's designed for musicians and recording engineers, offering tools for room and speaker tuning, and can be used with built-in or external microphones.

Highlights
  • Octave Band Real Time Analyzer
  • FFT Plot
  • Spectrograph module
  • Test Tone Generator
  • White/Pink Noise Generator
Features
Read full description

***** "As a former IEEE Technical Committee Chair for Signal Processing, I find this app amazingly flexible and useful. Works very well with its proper designed-in control selections." - Roblake Spectrum Analyzer for iOS is a powerful real-time audio analysis app. Designed with musicians and recording engineers in mind, it can also be used by anyone interested in the world of sound. Ideal for room tuning or speaker tuning, the app enables portable, precision audio measurement and visualization. Feature Highlights: ● Octave Band Real Time Analyzer ● FFT Plot (Fast Fourier Transform) ● Spectrograph module ● Test Tone and White/Pink Noise Generator ● Native iPhone X graphics >>> Check out the demo videos at SpectrumAnalyzerApp.com Audio input may be acquired via the built-in microphone or an external measurement microphone. For best results we recommend using a calibrated measurement microphone connected via USB audio interface or iPhone dock connector. This allows for high precision and flat frequency response, as well as for stereo input. Audio credits: "Basement Floor" and "Enchanted Journey" by Kevin MacLeod "Evening Birdsong" and "Cuckoo" by Benboncan

Screenshots

SPL Meter3 screens
Spectrum Analyzer RTA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SPL Meter at $0.99 against Spectrum Analyzer RTA's $19.99. Spectrum Analyzer RTA's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

SPL Meter costs $0.99 and Spectrum Analyzer RTA $19.99 up front. SPL Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Spectrum Analyzer RTA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spectrum Analyzer RTA holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 67 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 73% and 74% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPL Meter ships an update every 4 months, Spectrum Analyzer RTA every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SPL Meter versus Spectrum Analyzer RTA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPL MeterSpectrum Analyzer RTA
Price$0.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.1 (28 ratings)4.3 (67 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.9% of reviews73.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2867 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew SmithONYX Apps

Customer experience

SPL Meter

All ratings28 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews170 reviews
Positive72.9%
Neutral10.6%
Negative16.5%

Spectrum Analyzer RTA

All ratings67 ratings
Positive77.6%
Neutral7.5%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative20.2%

Bugs and requests

SPL Meter

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • 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
Show 6 more
  • Blurry UI and low resolution after updates
  • App fails to respond or shows 999dB reading
  • Incompatibility with iOS 8 and iOS 10.3.2
  • Screen only fills bottom-left corner of display
  • Microphone not responding with external mics
  • Feedback/screeching with certain external microphones

Requested features

12 requests
  • 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
Show 7 more
  • Lighter display theme for outdoor readability
  • Larger digital numbers for better visibility
  • Data capture and note-tagging functionality
  • Three-point calibration system
  • Octave band analysis
  • Automatic range selection
  • Improved knob/dial controls (less touchy)

Spectrum Analyzer RTA

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPL Meter

One-time1
  • Controls & Ad-Free$0.99
None

Spectrum Analyzer RTA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPL Meter free?
SPL Meter costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Spectrum Analyzer RTA free?
Spectrum Analyzer RTA costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPL Meter or Spectrum Analyzer RTA?
Spectrum Analyzer RTA is rated higher. SPL Meter averages 4.1 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while Spectrum Analyzer RTA averages 4.3 from 67 ratings.
Do SPL Meter or Spectrum Analyzer RTA have ads?
Neither SPL Meter nor Spectrum Analyzer RTA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPL Meter or Spectrum Analyzer RTA?
SPL Meter ships an update every 4 months, and Spectrum Analyzer RTA every 6 months. Most recently, SPL Meter was updated on October 14, 2026 and Spectrum Analyzer RTA on October 16, 2026.

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