Comparison

Decibel X vs Live Spectrogram

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

Head to head
About

Decibel X

This app transforms your device into a professional sound level meter, precisely measuring ambient noise pressure. It offers advanced features like frequency analysis, historical data management, and dosimeter functions, making it useful for various applications and entertainment.

Highlights
  • Precise sound pressure level measurement
  • Frequency spectrum analysis (FFT, BAR graphs)
  • Historical data recording and export
  • Dosimeter with NIOSH, OSHA standards
  • Apple Watch and Health App integration
  • Customizable calibration and filters
Features
Read full description

"Decibel X" is one of very few noise meter apps on the market that has highly reliable, pre-calibrated measurements and supports dBA, dBC. It turns your iOS device into a professional sound level meter, precisely measures the sound pressure level (SPL) all around you. This extremely useful and beautiful tool will not only be a great tool for many uses but also bring you a lot of fun. Have you wondered how quiet is your room or how loud is a rock concert or sport event? "Decibel X" will help you answer all of those. WHAT MAKE IT GREAT AND STAND OUT FROM OTHER APPS: - Trusted accuracy: the app is tested and pre calibrated for all Apple devices. The precision is matching with real SPL devices - Apple Watch support: see noise level right from your wrist - Health App integration: export noise levels directly into Health app - Frequency weighting filters: ITU-R 468, A, B, C, Z - Powerful, smart history data management: + Recording data can be saved into a list of history records for future access and analysis + Each record can be exported as hi-res PNG graph or CSV text via sharing services + iCloud support which synchronize all history records across your Apple devices + Fullscreen mode to give overview the whole history of an record - Dosimeter with NIOSH, OSHA standards - Powerful calibration: Linear, Octave 1/1, 1/3, Load/save profile - FFT and BAR graphs to display real time FFT. Those are very useful for frequency analysis and musical tests. Real time predominant frequency is also displayed. - InstaDecibel to capture your dB report overlaid on photos and easily shared via popular social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Messages, etc.). - Support Live Activity, Dynamic Island - Support both Portrait and Landscape layouts - Beautiful, intuitive and carefully crafted UI design. Themes: LIGHT, DARK and CLASSIC OTHER GREAT FEATURES: - Standard time weightings (Response Time): SLOW (500 milliseconds), FAST (200 milliseconds) AND IMPULSE (50 milliseconds) - MIC Gain Offset from -50 dB to 50 dB - Standard measurement range from 30 dBA up to 130 dBA - HISTO graph for plotted history of the recorded values - WAVE graph with 2 display modes: Rolling & Buffer - SPECTROGRAPH - Real time scale level chart - Display Current, Average/Leq, and Max values with both nice and clear digital and analog layouts - Quick reference text to help you compare with real-life examples NOTES: - Please do not expect a quiet room reading will be 0 dBA. The range 30-130 dBA is the standard usable range and an average quiet room will be about 30 dBA. - Although all devices are pre-calibrated, custom calibration is suggested for serious purposes requiring higher precision and accuracy. You will need a real external device or calibrated sound meter as a reference, then adjust the trimming calibration until the reading matches with the reference. * Privacy Policy: http://www.skypaw.com/decibelx/privacy_policy.html * EULA: http://www.skypaw.com/decibelx/terms.html

About

Live Spectrogram

Visualize sound frequencies in real-time with this tool. It displays audio intensity across time and frequency using color, helping you perfect singing, analyze animal calls, or locate household noises.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio visualization
  • Frequency analysis
  • Time-based spectrum display
  • Intensity shown by color
  • Singing voice perfection
  • Animal call analysis
  • Sound source identification
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Visualize audio with this handy tool. It displays the frequencies of sound around you over time. The horizontal axis is time, the vertical is frequency, and the intensity of frequencies is shown using pretty shades of red. Use it to: Perfect your singing voice Analyze the call of animals Identify and locate annoying sounds around your house Learn about the world of frequency analysis I hope you enjoy this handy little tool!

Screenshots

Decibel X4 screens
Live Spectrogram4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Decibel X at Free against Live Spectrogram's $1.99. Decibel X also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 31 months) and ratings volume (162K vs 6). Live Spectrogram's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On review sentiment, ads 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

Decibel X is free to download; Live Spectrogram costs $1.99 up front. Decibel X sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Live Spectrogram asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Live Spectrogram holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel X has 162K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Decibel X's written reviews are positive against 63% of Live Spectrogram's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Decibel X ships an update every 3 months, Live Spectrogram every 31 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Decibel X versus Live Spectrogram: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDecibel XLive Spectrogram
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.6 (162K ratings)4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews62.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings162K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 31 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#184 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSkyPaw Co., LimitedKrueger Systems, Inc.

Customer experience

Decibel X

All ratings161,895 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews804 reviews
Positive61.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative34.5%

Live Spectrogram

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Decibel X

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when deleting recordings
  • Microphone issues on certain devices
  • Saved files not accessible after updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add GPS coordinates to recordings
  • Improve reporting and data export
  • Provide more weighting options
  • Extend frequency range
  • Allow music playback while using the app

Live Spectrogram

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Decibel X

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Membership$1.997 Days
  • Monthly Membership$5.991 Month
  • Annual Membership3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • ITU-R 468, A, B, C Weightings$1.99
  • Data Export$2.99
None

Live Spectrogram

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Decibel X free?
Decibel X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Live Spectrogram free?
Live Spectrogram costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Decibel X or Live Spectrogram?
Live Spectrogram is rated higher. Decibel X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 162K ratings, while Live Spectrogram averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.
Do Decibel X or Live Spectrogram have ads?
Neither Decibel X nor Live Spectrogram shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Decibel X or Live Spectrogram?
Decibel X ships an update every 3 months, and Live Spectrogram every 31 months. Most recently, Decibel X was updated on September 29, 2026 and Live Spectrogram on September 18, 2026.

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