Comparison

dB vs Decibel Meter

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

Head to head
About

dB

This application measures sound pressure levels in decibels using a retro-style design. It displays both average and peak levels in real-time, with digital readouts alongside analog meters.

Highlights
  • Measures sound pressure in decibels (dB)
  • Retro-style analog display
  • Real-time average and peak level readings
  • Digital value readout
  • High-frequency sampling (44.1 kHz)
Features
Read full description

How loud is it right now? dB-Meter turns your iPhone into a clear and easy-to-read sound level meter. This completely rebuilt version combines the familiar retro style of the original app with a modern digital measurement view. TWO VIEWS, ONE MEASUREMENT โ€ข Classic analog gauges in the original retro design โ€ข Modern digital view with animated dB display โ€ข Live VU meter with peak indication โ€ข Smooth 30-second history graph EVERY IMPORTANT VALUE AT A GLANCE โ€ข Current sound level in dB โ€ข Slowly moving average โ€ข Session minimum and maximum โ€ข Peak value with optional peak hold โ€ข Fast or smooth needle response โ€ข Reset the current measurement session Use it to compare sound levels at home, in the office, on the go, or while listening to music. A CLASSIC, REBUILT dB-Meter first launched more than 13 years ago and has been downloaded over 200,000 times. Version 2.0 was rebuilt for current iPhones without losing the character of the original. AVAILABLE IN 18 LANGUAGES The app language can be changed directly in the app, independently of the system language. Note: Measurements are based on the microphone of your device and are intended as an approximate reference. The app is not a calibrated or certified sound level meter and must not be used for official occupational safety measurements.

About

Decibel Meter

Features
Read full description

Measure the sound levels around you in real time. Decibel Meter turns your iPhone into a sound level meter. Point your device at any sound source and get instant dB SPL readings displayed on a clear circular gauge with a live-updating chart. REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT See your current sound level update 10 times per second. The circular gauge changes color to indicate safe, moderate, and dangerous noise levels at a glance. LIVE CHART Track how sound levels change over time with a continuously updating line chart. Free users get a 15-second window; Pro users can extend it to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 5 minutes. SESSION HISTORY Save your measurement sessions and review them later. Each saved session includes average, minimum, maximum, and peak dB levels along with a visual sparkline of the recorded data. PRO FEATURES Upgrade to unlock the full experience: - Detailed statistics (Min, Avg, Max, Peak) - Extended chart durations up to 5 minutes - Full session history - Microphone calibration offset PRIVACY FIRST All audio is processed entirely on-device. Nothing is recorded, stored, or sent anywhere. Period. IMPORTANT Decibel Meter provides estimates based on your device's built-in microphone. It is not a calibrated measurement instrument and should not be used for regulatory, occupational health, or safety compliance purposes. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

dB4 screens
Decibel Meter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: dB at none against Decibel Meter's 2. Decibel Meter's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Decibel Meter sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. dB asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dB ships an update every 5 months, Decibel Meter monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
dB versus Decibel Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdBDecibel Meter
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews40.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
MonetizationFreeโ€”
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS16.0 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size6 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKurenz Music GbRBrais Castro

In-app purchases

None

dB

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Decibel Meter

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Yearly subscription$39.991 Year

Questions

Is dB free?
dB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Decibel Meter free?
Decibel Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do dB or Decibel Meter have ads?
Neither dB nor Decibel Meter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dB or Decibel Meter?
dB ships an update every 5 months, and Decibel Meter monthly. Most recently, dB was updated on November 5, 2026 and Decibel Meter on October 30, 2026.

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