Comparison

Soundbeam vs TB Spectrogram

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

Head to head
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.

About

TB Spectrogram

This app provides real-time audio analysis with a spectrogram, spectrum analyzer, and goniometer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 plugin within compatible music production hosts. Visualize your audio in detail with adjustable settings and multiple display options.

Highlights
  • Real-time spectrogram and spectrum analysis
  • Goniometer for stereo signal analysis
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
  • Adjustable frequency and time resolution
  • Customizable color themes
  • On-screen piano keyboard mapping
Features
Read full description

ToneBoosters Spectrogram shows a real-time spectrogram, spectrum, and goniometer AUv3 plugin! We have taken the stunning visual spectrum analyzer features from our latest and greatest Equalizer Pro plugin and released it as a separate app / AUv3 plugin! The ToneBoosters Spectrogram app captures the microphone input and processes the signals in real time. To use it as a plug-in, use an AUv3-compatible host app such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, Auria, AUM, or others. ToneBoosters Spectrogram will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. Key features: - Fully resizable (as AUv3 plugin) - Color themes for the user interface - Max screen support in Garageband - Adjustable color themes for UI and for spectrogram independently - Adjustable dynamic range - Adjustable frequency resolution - Adjustable time resolution - Adjustable spectral slope - Spectrogram AGC and dimming support - Show spectrogram and spectrum analyzer as overlay or individually - Spectrum analyzer also supports peak hold - Split-band goniometer for stereo signal analysis (correlation, left/right balance in one or two bands!) - On-screen piano keyboard to map spectrum analyzer to piano notes - Optimised for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

Screenshots

Soundbeam4 screens
TB Spectrogram2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TB Spectrogram at Free against Soundbeam's $0.99. TB Spectrogram also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months). Soundbeam's advantage is review sentiment (89% vs 71%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

TB Spectrogram is free to download; Soundbeam costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Soundbeam against 4.4 for TB Spectrogram. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74 and 50 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Soundbeam's written reviews are positive against 71% of TB Spectrogram's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Soundbeam ships an update every 9 months, TB Spectrogram every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Soundbeam versus TB Spectrogram: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundbeamTB Spectrogram
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (74 ratings) — better4.4 (50 ratings)
Positive reviews88.6% of reviews — better71.0% of reviews
Number of ratings74 — better50
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPZ Mobile LimitedToneBoosters

Customer experience

Soundbeam

All ratings74 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive88.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative8.6%

TB Spectrogram

All ratings50 ratings
Positive86.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive71.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative22.6%

Bugs and 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

TB Spectrogram

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Soundbeam

No in-app purchases

None

TB Spectrogram

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Soundbeam free?
Soundbeam costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TB Spectrogram free?
TB Spectrogram is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Soundbeam or TB Spectrogram?
Soundbeam is rated higher. Soundbeam averages 4.5 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while TB Spectrogram averages 4.4 from 50 ratings.
Do Soundbeam or TB Spectrogram have ads?
Neither Soundbeam nor TB Spectrogram shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Soundbeam or TB Spectrogram?
Soundbeam ships an update every 9 months, and TB Spectrogram every 3 weeks. Most recently, Soundbeam was updated on October 16, 2026 and TB Spectrogram on October 14, 2026.

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