dB Volume vs Spectrum Analyzer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
dB Volume
Transform your iPhone into a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. Measure environmental noises with adjustable weighting curves and response times, including Leq measurement. Ideal for understanding ambient sound levels.
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL) Meter
- Adjustable weighting curves (A, B, C, Z)
- Adjustable response times (Impulse, Slow, Fast)
- Leq measurement
- Peak hold function
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With dB Volume you turn your iPhone into a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) Meter. You can choose between the industry standard weighting curves and response times. Use dB Volume for measuring environmental noises - it offers now Leq measurement! dB Volume features: - response time modes: impulse, slow, fast - weighting functions: A B C Z (unweighted) - peak hold function - Leq measurement We calibrated dB Volume as carefully as possible for all available devices. But: keep in mind, that due to manufacturing tolerances this calibration does not necessarily apply to your device – it’s still an iPhone and not a calibrated measuring instrument!
Spectrum Analyzer
Visualize audio frequencies with real-time analysis. Features include a sound level meter, multichannel harmonic analysis, and adjustable graphical representations. Gain insights into your sound environment with advanced tools.
- Sound level meter
- Multichannel harmonic analysis
- Adjustable graphics
- AI-powered sound source analyzer
- Real-time analysis
- FFT analysis
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Spectrum Analyzer is a pro audio tool with sound level meter, multichannel harmonic analysis and detailed graphical representation. Learn something new about your sound environment with real-time analysis! FEATURES: - sound level meter; - harmonic analyzer; - adjustable graphics; - AI-powered sound source analyzer. SOUND LEVEL METER - precise measurement of sound and noise level - real-time results HARMONIC ANALYZER - multichannel FFT analysis; - adjustable parameters; - graphical representation. ADJUSTABLE GRAPHICS - various graphics and diagram types; - zoom of selected chart areas. This app offers subscriptions. The paid version includes AI noise detection, immersive 3D visualization, and customizable settings. The free version offers dB/Hz measurement, 2D mode, and limited visualization options. Privacy Policy: https://musicbreath.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://musicbreath.com/tos
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: dB Volume at 44% against Spectrum Analyzer's 5%. dB Volume also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and ads (none vs shown). Spectrum Analyzer's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price 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
Both are free to download. Spectrum Analyzer sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. dB Volume asks for nothing beyond the download.
Spectrum Analyzer holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectrum Analyzer has 197 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of dB Volume's written reviews are positive against 5% of Spectrum Analyzer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
dB Volume ships an update every 2 months, Spectrum Analyzer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | dB Volume | Spectrum Analyzer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.2 (197 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 44.2% of reviews — better | 5.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 197 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 132 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DSP Mobile | Music Breath |
Customer experience
dB Volume
Spectrum Analyzer
User reviews
dB Volume
From 13 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Free to use
- 📏 Accurate readings (historically)
- 🔊 Useful for volume adjustment
- 💡 Good for quick dB rating
Room to improve
- 🐛 Stopped working (frequently)
- ❌ Incompatible with newer iOS/devices
- 📉 Readings often inaccurate/low
- ⚠️ Technical for novices
- 💰 Expensive pro version
Spectrum Analyzer
From 197 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ✅ Accurate frequency identification
- ✅ Clear and easy-to-read display
- ✅ Useful noise floor setup feature
- ✅ Works well when ads are removed
Room to improve
- 💰 Extremely aggressive monetization strategy
- 📢 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔊 Loud ads that ignore device mute settings
- 🚫 Requires subscription/payment to access core features
- 😤 Deceptive purchase practices and accidental charges
Bugs and requests
dB Volume
Reported bugs
21 issues- Does not open anymore
- No audio signal
- Shows "0db"
- Freezes every time
- Non responsive
Show 16 moreShow fewer
- Registers as zero
- Doesn't receive any sound
- Displays -2147
- Starts in negative db
- Locks up after a minute or two
- App loads, gets one reading, then never updates
- Fails to respond to sounds
- No sound level registering
- Does absolutely nothing
- Reads 0db at a rock concert
- Doesn't seem to work with iOS 9
- Reads about 40db at silence
- Inaccurate readings compared to professional meter
- Tries to force in-app upgrade
- Different readings on same device/room
- Half the time does not open
Requested features
7 requests- Update for newer iOS versions
- Improve accuracy
- Add calibration feature
- Explain settings/buttons
- Improve user interface
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Add max or average values
- Make pro version less expensive
Spectrum Analyzer
Reported bugs
10 issues- App becomes unusable after iOS 16 update
- Crashes immediately on iPhone 5 with iOS 7
- Cannot exit app on iPhone X without reboot
- App freezes when changing settings or views
- Inaccurate frequency readings
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Slow and unresponsive performance
- App hijacks device sound settings
- Accidental in-app purchases triggered by home button
- Subscription charges without clear user consent
- App locks users into year-long subscriptions with no cancellation option
Requested features
7 requests- Audio file import functionality
- Customizable background colors for chroma key compatibility
- Ability to record audio instead of only analyzing
- Better documentation and help files
- Improved sensitivity for detecting soft sounds
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- Dark mode option
- Upfront pricing disclosure before download
In-app purchases
dB Volume
No in-app purchases
Spectrum Analyzer
- Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- One Month Sale$9.991 Month
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- 1 Week Subscription3 Days trial$9.997 Days
- 1 Year Sub. with discount$19.991 Year
- 1 Month Subscription$19.991 Month
- 3 Month Subscription$25.993 Months
- 1 Year Subscription3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- 2 months subscription3 Days trial$39.992 Months
- No Ads$9.99
- Additional Settings Controls$15.99
- Full Pack + No Ads$19.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Get More$19.99
Questions
Is dB Volume free?
Is Spectrum Analyzer free?
Which has better reviews, dB Volume or Spectrum Analyzer?
Do dB Volume or Spectrum Analyzer have ads?
Which is updated more often, dB Volume or Spectrum Analyzer?
Other comparisons
