Comparison

Oscilloscope vs Soundbeam

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

"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

About

Soundbeam

Visualize sound in real-time with this audio analyzer. It displays sound as a classic oscilloscope and offers spectral visualization using Fourier transform. Connect instruments or use the built-in mic to explore audio frequencies and intensity.

Highlights
  • Spectrum and waveform views
  • Real-time audio analysis
  • High-resolution Fourier transform
  • Recording functionality
  • Gesture controls for adjustments
  • Connect external audio devices
Features
Read full description

Soundbeam helps you see what everyday sounds look like and visualizes sounds you can't even hear! Plug in your electric guitar, a mic or any other (hi-Z) device to your mini-jack input and get accurate measurements. You can always use the built-in mic. We paired stylish controls and an old-school interface with high precision signal processing algorithms, creating a new way to experience sound. Soundbeam is an real-time audio analyzer (RTA) that processes the input of your microphone displaying it like a classic oscilloscope. It also features a spectral visualization of the audio using high resolution fourier transform (FFT) for accurate measurements. Get a dose of nostalgia with Soundbeam now! Key Features: * Spectrum and waveform views * Recording functionality * Gesture support for frequency range and intensity levels adjustment * Visualization controls * ...and one more thing! Plug in your headset or guitar and watch what happens! Controls: * While in "spectrum mode", pinch the monitor vertically or horizontally to change frequency range and intensity levels respectively. You can also pan the soundwave with one finger. * In "waveform mode" pinch the screen vertically to adjust intensity levels. * Double tap on the screen to reset view. * Tap & slide the intensity knob horizontally to adjust it.

Screenshots

Oscilloscope4 screens
Soundbeam4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Soundbeam at $0.99 against Oscilloscope's $19.99. Soundbeam also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (89% vs 72%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Oscilloscope costs $19.99 and Soundbeam $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Soundbeam holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 74 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Oscilloscope's written reviews are positive against 89% of Soundbeam's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Oscilloscope ships an update every 8 months, Soundbeam every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Oscilloscope versus Soundbeam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOscilloscopeSoundbeam
Price$19.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.1 (19 ratings)4.5 (74 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.7% of reviews88.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1974 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS1611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperONYX AppsPZ Mobile Limited

Customer experience

Oscilloscope

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive71.7%
Neutral9.4%
Negative18.9%

Soundbeam

All ratings74 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews141 reviews
Positive88.7%
Neutral2.8%
Negative8.5%

Bugs and requests

Oscilloscope

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Soundbeam

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes on iPhone 5 with no waveform display
  • Waveform display not appearing despite controls working
  • Quarter-second latency between audio and display
  • Moving waveform displayed even when music is paused
  • iPhone reset during app usage
Show 1 more
  • Orientation rotation not intuitive (tap top-left corner undocumented)

Requested features

14 requests
  • Longer recording capability (with IAP option)
  • Horizontal zoom in waveform mode with time scale display
  • X/Y function for advanced analysis
  • Timebase adjustment controls
  • Trigger functionality
Show 9 more
  • iPad-specific universal app version
  • Absolute SPL (Sound Pressure Level) measurement
  • dB level display in waveform mode
  • Black background option for cleaner display
  • Support for internal audio playback monitoring
  • Music library integration as visualizer
  • Lower frequency range support (down to 10-20Hz)
  • Record and compare feature for sound matching
  • Adjustable scan rate for slow sampling

In-app purchases

None

Oscilloscope

No in-app purchases

None

Soundbeam

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Oscilloscope free?
Oscilloscope costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Soundbeam free?
Soundbeam costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Oscilloscope or Soundbeam?
Soundbeam is rated higher. Oscilloscope averages 4.1 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Soundbeam averages 4.5 from 74 ratings.
Do Oscilloscope or Soundbeam have ads?
Neither Oscilloscope nor Soundbeam shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Oscilloscope or Soundbeam?
Oscilloscope ships an update every 8 months, and Soundbeam every 9 months. Most recently, Oscilloscope was updated on October 23, 2026 and Soundbeam on October 23, 2026.

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