Decibels vs dBMeter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Decibels
Measure and analyze ambient noise levels with a stylish interface. Capture photos with sound level data, and share or print your findings. Enhance analysis with advanced features like frequency weighting and chart recording through an in-app purchase.
- Analog dB(A) display
- Photo with sound level
- Share/print/store photos
- Select frequency weightings (A, C, Z)
- Record decibels on strip charts
- Annotate strip charts
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Want to know what noise level is around you? in the restaurant? in the train? in the office? This app will show you with precision & style. Features: - Smooth analog display of dB(A) - Take photo with sound level display - Share, print, and store sound level photos Extra Features (with purchase): - Select frequency weightings A, C, and Z - Record decibels on beautiful strip charts - Annotate the strip charts - Share, print, and store the strip charts This app uses the internal microphone to estimate the sound pressure level in decibels (dB SPL). Examples: - quiet bedroom at night: 30 dB - average home: 50 dB - vacuum cleaner, 1m away: 70 dB - jet aircraft, 50 m away: 140 dB
dBMeter
This application precisely measures sound intensity in real time using your device's microphone. It displays minimum, maximum, and average decibel levels, offers a noise-time graph, and allows for microphone calibration. The tool is ideal for monitoring ambient noise in various environments and exporting data for analysis.
- Real-time decibel measurement
- Min, max, and average values
- Noise-time graph
- Microphone calibration
- Background operation
- CSV data export
- Timer option
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dBMeter is a powerful and precise noise level meter (decibel meter) that measures sound intensity in real time using your iPhone’s microphone. - Main features • Real-time sound level measurement (dB). • Displays min, max, and average values. • Noise-time graph for detailed analysis. • Microphone calibration for accurate readings. • Works in background or screen-off mode. • CSV export for reports and data analysis. • Timer option. • Light and dark themes. • Optimized for iPhone and iPad. - Ideal for: • Monitoring ambient noise at home, work, or events. • Checking traffic, music, or machinery noise levels. • Musicians, engineers, teachers, and professionals. - Reliable, simple, and accurate — monitor your sound environment anywhere.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Decibels at 4.6 against dBMeter's 3.6. Decibels also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). dBMeter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, review sentiment, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Decibels sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. dBMeter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Decibels holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibels has 265 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 67% and 67% positive.
Decibels ships an update weekly, dBMeter every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Decibels | dBMeter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (265 ratings) — better | 3.6 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.9% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 265 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | David Bannach | Ramon Palacios Saez |
Customer experience
Decibels
dBMeter
Bugs and requests
Decibels
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when trying to save images
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Needle getting stuck at certain levels
Requested features
5 requests- Digital readout in addition to analog meter
- Ability to save/export measurement history
- Support for different weighting scales (A, C, Z)
- Landscape mode support
- Customizable appearance options
dBMeter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Decibels
- Professional Controls$1.99
- Beautiful Strip Chart Recorder$2.99
dBMeter
No in-app purchases
