Comparison

TooLoud vs Sound Meter

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

Head to head
About

TooLoud

Monitor ambient noise levels to protect your hearing. This utility displays volume readings in a clear format and alerts you when noise levels may be harmful, suggesting the use of ear protection. Customize smoothing filters for more accurate average readings.

Highlights
  • Real-time volume level display
  • Hearing damage warnings
  • Ear plug recommendations
  • Adjustable smoothing filters
  • Accurate average readings
Features
Read full description

How loud is it, really? TooLoud turns your iPhone into a simple sound level meter, so you can see at a glance whether the place you're in is loud enough to damage your hearing. Your ears start to take damage above 85 dB — a busy street, a blender, a noisy restaurant — often without you noticing. TooLoud shows the volume around you in real time and warns you when it's worth reaching for ear protection. FEATURES • Live decibel readings — current, average and peak levels at a glance • A clear, colour-coded meter: green when you're safe, red when you're not • “How loud is that?” — a reference guide that maps everyday sounds, from a whisper to a concert, onto the decibel scale, with your own reading pinned in place • Adjustable smoothing to filter out sudden spikes for a steadier average • A clean, distraction-free design TooLoud gives guideline readings using your device's built-in microphone, and it's a great way to build awareness of the noise in your daily life. Protect your hearing — it doesn't grow back.

About

Sound Meter

This utility app measures ambient noise levels in decibels. It provides a reference table to help users understand safe listening levels and protects their hearing. The app also stores historical measurements for later review.

Highlights
  • Measures sound level in decibels
  • Decibel level reference table
  • Hearing protection guidance
  • Stores measurement history
  • Easy to use interface
Features
Read full description

Sound Meter measures the noise and sound level in decibel. Easy to use. - Decibel level table for reference, helps protect your ears from pain - Store history for any consideration later.

Screenshots

TooLoud4 screens
Sound Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TooLoud at none against Sound Meter's 1. Sound Meter's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. Sound Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TooLoud asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
TooLoud versus Sound Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTooLoudSound Meter
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.4 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—16 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB57 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperRGB-StudioHiep Pham

Customer experience

TooLoud

Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

Sound Meter

All ratings16 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

None

TooLoud

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sound Meter

One-time1
  • Remove ADs$4.99

Questions

Is TooLoud free?
TooLoud is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sound Meter free?
Sound Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TooLoud or Sound Meter have ads?
Neither TooLoud nor Sound Meter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TooLoud or Sound Meter?
TooLoud ships an update fortnightly, and Sound Meter fortnightly. Most recently, TooLoud was updated on September 15, 2026 and Sound Meter on October 3, 2026.

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