Oscilloscope vs Audio / Spectrum Analyzer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Oscilloscope
Analyze audio and analog signals with a portable oscilloscope. Features include waveform display, triggering controls, and a built-in signal generator for various waveforms. Supports external input for more advanced measurements.
- Real-time waveform display
- Triggering modes
- Signal measurement cursors
- Built-in signal generator
- Dual channel input support
- Reference signal calibration
- Export traces as text file
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"I use this for analog, and audio measurements. Attach an Apple USB adapter and a $40 stereo A-D converter available online, and my iPad is like a $300 O'Scope." -thymeout- Oscilloscope app is great for analyzing audio range signals, or learning oscilloscope measurement basics. The interface includes many standard oscilloscope controls, such as: triggering, time and voltage per division, signal measurement cursors, and more. The app incorporates a signal (function) generator capable of generating sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms of up to 22 KHz. Calibration to an external reference signal is supported, guaranteeing the accuracy of measurements. Input can be acquired via the built-in microphone or an external mic/probe connected to the headset connector. For best results, use an external audio interface connected to your device dock. This allows for standard audio equipment to be connected, as well as for dual channel input. Oscilloscope probes also be connected (using a BNC connector). When feeding external signals via probes, you should take care not to exceed 1V AC voltage. Currently iDevices support only AC input. For up-to-date information on feeding signals and currently supported audio interfaces, please visit http://oa.onyx3.com Feature Highlights: ● Real-time waveform display (60 FPS) ● Triggering modes: Normal, Auto, Single ● Set trigger level and pre-trigger time ● Dual channel signal generator ● Reference signal calibration ● Pause function to get a screen capture ● Export traces as text file for further analysis ● Measure signal data using cursors ● Use "finger pinch" on screen to set voltage and time base ● Double tap screen to enter Black Panel mode ● Three color themes to choose from ● XY mode for viewing Lissajous figures ● Frequency range 20Hz-22KHz ● iPhone X ready
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer
This application analyzes audio input from your microphone, displaying both the waveform and amplitude spectrum in real-time. It offers extensive customization for display, calculation, and signal generation.
- Simultaneous waveform and spectrum display
- Configurable display layouts
- Selectable FFT size and averaging
- Frequency weighting options (Flat, dBA, dBC)
- Octave band analysis
- Audio signal and noise generation
- Peak hold and pitch meter
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This RTA app supports simultaneous display of "Audio Waveform", as well as the FFT-based "Amplitude Spectrum" (frequency magnitude) and "Spectrogram" (frequency distribution over time), for audio signals input from a microphone. (FFT: Fast Fourier Transform, RTA: Real Time Analyzer) [Features] - Supports simultaneous display of Waveform / Spectrum / Spectrogram - Supports orientation both portrait and landscape - FFT size - Window function - Spectrum average - Spectrum Tilt - Frequency weighting (Flat, dBA, dBC) - The type of expressing the frequency of Spectrum / Spectrogram (Linear, Log) - Displays the peak level and its frequency of the spectrum - Peak Hold (displays the results of holding past peak values of the spectrum) - Octave Analysis (displays the spectrum divided into octave bands) - Generates the audio signal (Sine, Triangle, Squire, Saw) - Generates the noise signal (white noise, pink noise) - Pitch meter display The Pro version offers Ad-Free Viewing and High-Resolution Analysis (FFT size: 16384, 32768, Spectrum Average: 4, 8). [Setting items] 1. Screen structure : Select the display screen configuration. View Num : 1, 2 View Type : - 1 screen : Wave (Waveform) / 1D (Spectrum) / 2D (Spectrogram) - 2 screens : W+1D / W+2D / 1D+2D Layout : Vertical / Horizon 2. Frequency Axis Scale Type : Selectable the type of expressing the X direction (frequency) of Spectrum / Spectrogram. - Linear: Distributed at equal intervals - Log: The intervals increase logarithmically 3-1. FFT size : 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768 (* 16384, 32768 is available in the Pro version.) 3-2. Window function : Hanning, Hamming, Blackman, No window 4. Spectrum Average Number of spectrum average for a display of spectrum. 1, 2, 4, 8 (init value: 1) (* 4 and 8 are available in the Pro version.) Higher value will make the spectrum less noisy and more smooth, at the cost of lower time resolution. 5. Spectrum Tilt : Compensates the visual slope of the spectrum around a 1 kHz pivot. -6.0 to +6.0 dB/oct in 0.5 dB/oct steps (0 means no tilt). 6. Frequency Weighting : Selectable frequency weighting. - Flat: No frequency weighting is applied. - dB(A): Frequency response that takes into account human hearing. - dB(C): Relatively flat response. 7. Peak Hold : Displays the results of holding the past maximum values (peak values) of the spectrum. 8. Octave Analysis : Displays the results of classifying the spectrum into octave bands. Division method: - FFT: Spectral display - 1/24, 1/12, 1/6, 1/3, 1 octave: Display divided into octave bands Calc method: - Max: Displays the maximum spectrum value in each band - Average: Displays the average spectrum value in each band 9. Generates the audio signal : Set the audio signal to be generated. - There are 4 types of waveform. (Sine, Triangle, Squire, Saw) - It can set the value of the frequency in 20Hz - 20000Hz. 10. Generates the noise signal : Set the noise signal to be generated. - There are 2 types of noise. (White noise, pink noise) [Other] - Background color: Black, White - WaveForm: Line Color (Green, Yellow, Invert), Line Width (1.0 ~ 6.0 px) - Spectrum: Bar color (Green, Yellow, Color patterns) - Spectrogram: Colormap, Display range (-150 ~ -60 dB), Display time (4 ~ 60 sec), Apply Spectrum Tilt - Bluetooth connection policy selection (disabled, HFP, A2DP). - Scaling of Waveform / Spectrum display in the Y direction (magnification: 0.5 - 2.0). - Scaling of Spectrum / Spectrogram display in the X direction (magnification: 1.0 - 16.0).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Audio / Spectrum Analyzer at Free against Oscilloscope's $19.99. Audio / Spectrum Analyzer also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months). Oscilloscope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer is free to download; Oscilloscope costs $19.99 up front. Audio / Spectrum Analyzer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Oscilloscope asks for nothing beyond the download.
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio / Spectrum Analyzer has 1K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Oscilloscope's written reviews are positive against 79% of Audio / Spectrum Analyzer's.
Oscilloscope ships an update every 8 months, Audio / Spectrum Analyzer every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Oscilloscope | Audio / Spectrum Analyzer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (19 ratings) | 4.6 (1K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.7% of reviews | 78.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 | 1K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ONYX Apps | Loop-Sessions.LLC. |
Customer experience
Oscilloscope
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer
Bugs and requests
Oscilloscope
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer
Reported bugs
3 issues- Stuck on latest measurement
- White noise instead of expected functionality
- Disconnects AirPods
Requested features
4 requests- Sampling rate adjustment
- Wave shape tracking
- Audio file analysis
- Octave analysis
In-app purchases
Oscilloscope
No in-app purchases
Audio / Spectrum Analyzer
- Pro (Remove ads, High-Res analysis)$11.99
Questions
Is Oscilloscope free?
Is Audio / Spectrum Analyzer free?
Which has better reviews, Oscilloscope or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer?
Do Oscilloscope or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Oscilloscope or Audio / Spectrum Analyzer?
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