Comparison

RTA Audio vs LiveSpec

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

Head to head
About

RTA Audio

Analyze audio in real-time with detailed frequency spectrum and waveform visualizations. Record and export your audio analysis results, including spectrograms and frequency tables, for sharing or archiving.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio analysis (FFT)
  • Recording and offline processing
  • Spectrogram and waveform visualization
  • Exportable analysis reports (PDF)
  • Adjustable resolution and frequency scale
  • Peak and RMS metering
Features
Read full description

RTA Audio Realtime analyzer with recording and Visualizer module with export. ••• Realtime analyzer ••• Realtime analyzer gives you the ability to analyze realtime audio input (built-in microphone or external audio accessory inputs) using Fast Fourier Transform with selected window function. You can also record the input for future offline processing or export. ••• Visualizer ••• This module presents you the results of offline audio analysis. Selecting previously captured recording gives the graph view, spectrogram and waveform of the audio data. Simple controls gives you the ability to play, loop, seek and change rate of the recording synchronized with analysis data presentation. Export function allows you to share or archive your analysis. Resulting PDF document contains basic recording information, spectrogram, peak & RMS graph and frequency table data with maximum peaks (with the time of the occurrence in recording) ••• Features ••• Resolution: 1/2 - 1/96 Octave Logarithmic frequency scale Fixed frequency range (20 - 20kHz) Tone scale view C₀- H₈ (A₄ = 440Hz) Peak hold graph Peak average graph RMS average graph Pointer (watch) function Peak and RMS input meter ••• Audio input specification ••• Audio session mode - measurement Input gain control Sample rate: 48000 Hz Bit depth: Float32 Channel: 1(mono) Frequency range: 20Hz - 20kHz Dynamic range: -100dB - 0dB ••• FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) specification ••• Frame size: 8192 Overlap: from 60% to 90% Smoothing Window: Bartlett-Hann, Blackman, Blackman-Harris (default), Blackman-Nuttell, Cosine, Flat Top, Gauss, Hamming, Hann, Lanczos, Nuttall, Rectangular, Triangular Hardware acceleration

About

LiveSpec

This audio analysis tool allows users to measure and optimize sound in any environment. It provides real-time spectrum analysis, sound level monitoring, and tools for system tuning and live mixing. The app supports various audio interfaces and offers iCloud syncing for configurations.

Highlights
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • Spectrograph for sound over time
  • SPL monitor with A/C weighting
  • Dose meter for safe listening time
  • Live Mix plugin host
  • Transfer function with phase
  • Impulse response and delay finding
  • Parametric and Graphic EQ
Read full description

LiveSpec is the audio analyzer you can carry into any room. Point it at a stage, a sanctuary, or a stream feed and see exactly what is happening, then fix it with confidence. Whether you tune arenas for a living or run the board at church on Sunday, the tools are the same and they are all included. RUN THE SHOW Real time analyzer with sharp, smooth traces and a 3D view that shows how the spectrum moves. Spectrograph that unfolds your sound over time, so feedback and rumble have nowhere to hide. SPL monitor with A and C weighting, LAeq and LCeq, a stoplight for your limit, and logging you can export to prove how loud the night really was. Dose meter with NIOSH and OSHA standards, so you know how much safe listening time is left. Live Mix plugin host that runs Audio Unit plugins on your stream or broadcast feed, with input and output meters and LUFS targets. Mix Balance targets that give your whole team one standard to mix to, every night. Auto EQ with Smart Listen that hears the mix and suggests the correction, then lets you shape it. TUNE THE SYSTEM Transfer function with phase and coherence, so you can trust what the trace tells you. Impulse response, delay finding, and speaker alignment, with multiple microphones averaged into one picture. Decay, waterfall, RT60, and harmonic distortion views when you need to look deeper. Parametric and Graphic EQ with profiles that match the grid of popular consoles and processors, so what you design is what you can actually dial in. Signal generator with popular noise types, sweeps, and a playlist for your reference tracks. Setup wizard that finds your interface, checks your channels, and has you measuring in about a minute. MADE FOR THE JOB Works with the built in microphone or any USB audio interface, from a single mic to a full multichannel rig. Calibration files for your measurement microphones. Measurement configurations, targets, captures, and settings sync between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through iCloud. Dark themes designed for a dim front of house position, with every panel readable at arm's length. ONE PLAN, EVERYTHING INCLUDED Start with a 7 day free trial. All Access is $17.99 per month or $149.99 per year and covers every feature on every device signed into your Apple account. No add ons, no tiers, nothing held back. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple account, and you can manage or cancel in your account settings at any time. Privacy policy: https://linearphase.com/privacy Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RTA Audio4 screens
LiveSpec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LiveSpec at 5.0 against RTA Audio's 3.5. LiveSpec also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 28 months). RTA Audio's advantage is ratings volume (32 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. RTA Audio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and LiveSpec sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LiveSpec holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RTA Audio has 32 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RTA Audio ships an update every 28 months, LiveSpec every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RTA Audio versus LiveSpec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTA AudioLiveSpec
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (32 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings32 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 28 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNew Ball s.r.o.Linear Phase LLC

Customer experience

RTA Audio

All ratings31 ratings
Positive64.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative32.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral9.8%
Negative31.7%

LiveSpec

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RTA Audio

One-time1
  • Upgrade to full version$14.99
6 purchases

LiveSpec

Subscriptions6
  • All Access Monthly$17.991 Month
  • Live Mix Monthly$19.991 Month
  • System Tune Monthly$19.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • All Access Annual$149.991 Year
  • Live Mix Annual$149.991 Year
  • System Tune Annual$149.991 Year

Questions

Is RTA Audio free?
RTA Audio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LiveSpec free?
LiveSpec is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RTA Audio or LiveSpec?
LiveSpec is rated higher. RTA Audio averages 3.5 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while LiveSpec averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RTA Audio or LiveSpec have ads?
Neither RTA Audio nor LiveSpec shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RTA Audio or LiveSpec?
RTA Audio ships an update every 28 months, and LiveSpec every 2 weeks. Most recently, RTA Audio was updated on October 23, 2026 and LiveSpec on October 14, 2026.

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