Comparison

dB vs SoundTrace

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — 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 • Classic analog gauges in the original retro design • Modern digital view with animated dB display • Live VU meter with peak indication • Smooth 30-second history graph EVERY IMPORTANT VALUE AT A GLANCE • Current sound level in dB • Slowly moving average • Session minimum and maximum • Peak value with optional peak hold • Fast or smooth needle response • 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

SoundTrace

Measure, visualize, and record ambient sound levels with clear decibel readings. This tool offers real-time monitoring, session logging with timestamped graphs, and the ability to export detailed reports. It's designed for various environments, from home to professional settings.

Highlights
  • Live decibel meter
  • Internal/external mic selection
  • Waveform and line graph visualization
  • Session logging with stats
  • Microphone calibration
  • PDF export of session reports
Features
Read full description

SoundTrace is your smart companion for measuring, visualizing, and recording ambient sound. Whether you're checking noise levels at home, in the studio, or on the job site, SoundTrace gives you clear, calibrated decibel readings with a beautiful interface and powerful session logging. Core Features: - Live Decibel Meter: Monitor real-time sound levels using your device’s microphone. - Input Selection: Use internal or external mics (USB/Bluetooth) and label them automatically. - Waveform & Line Graphs: Choose how you visualize sound — dynamic waveform bars or a smooth dB line graph. - Session Logging: Save recorded sessions with timestamped graphs and stats like min, max, and average dB. - Mic Calibration: Adjust for hardware differences with a custom calibration offset. - Unlimited Session Storage: Keep as many recordings as you want.* - Audio Playback: Re-listen to recorded sessions directly in-app.* - PDF Export: Generate and share detailed session reports.* - Custom Titles: Name your sessions for better organization and recall.* * Pro version only.

Screenshots

dB4 screens
SoundTrace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SoundTrace at 100% against dB's 39%. SoundTrace also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). dB's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. SoundTrace sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. dB asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dB ships an update every 5 months, SoundTrace every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
dB versus SoundTrace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdBSoundTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews39.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB2 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperKurenz Music GbRTapronix

Customer experience

dB

Written reviews33 reviews
Positive39.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative57.6%

SoundTrace

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

dB

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

SoundTrace

One-time1
  • Pro Version Upgrade$2.99

Questions

Is dB free?
dB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SoundTrace free?
SoundTrace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do dB or SoundTrace have ads?
Neither dB nor SoundTrace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dB or SoundTrace?
dB ships an update every 5 months, and SoundTrace every 3 weeks. Most recently, dB was updated on October 19, 2026 and SoundTrace on October 5, 2026.

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