# SPL Meter vs Spectrum Analyzer RTA

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPL Meter | Spectrum Analyzer RTA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.1 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-meter/id309206756/reviews) | **[4.3 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-rta/id490078884/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 28 | **67** |
| Positive reviews | 72.9% of reviews | **73.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 36 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrew Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/291822462) | [ONYX Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/356553882) |

## 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


### Spectrum Analyzer RTA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-rta/id490078884)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*