Comparison

dB vs Sound Meter

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

Sound Meter

Features
Read full description

Get a clearer view of the sounds around you. Sound Meter uses your device’s microphone to estimate sound levels and show how they change. β€’ View the current estimated level in dB. β€’ Follow the last 60 seconds of active measurement on a live graph. β€’ Check minimum, average and maximum readings for the whole session. β€’ Pause, resume or reset a measurement. β€’ Explore a guide with familiar sound examples. β€’ Use English, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German or French. The app follows your device’s preferred supported language automatically. You can also save a language choice or return to Automatic at any time. If none of your device languages are supported, the app uses English. Tap Start and allow microphone access to begin. Measurement pauses when the app leaves the foreground. Microphone audio is processed on your device; the app does not save audio recordings or upload microphone audio. No account is required. Readings vary with your device and microphone and are estimates for general reference. The displayed average is the arithmetic mean of session readings, not an energy average (Leq). This is not a calibrated sound level meter. Use dedicated equipment for precise measurements or safety decisions. The app includes ads. Advertising consent and privacy choices are shown where required. Privacy: https://www.slox.co.kr/privacy/soundmeter Support: contact@slox.co.kr

Screenshots

dB4 screens
Sound Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: dB at none against Sound Meter's shown. Sound Meter's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
dB versus Sound Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdBSound Meter
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews40.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 5 months
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS16.015.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size6 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKurenz Music GbRSEOKWON YANG

In-app purchases

None

dB

No in-app purchases

None

Sound Meter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is dB free?
dB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sound Meter free?
Sound Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do dB or Sound Meter have ads?
Sound Meter shows ads; dB does not.
Which is updated more often, dB or Sound Meter?
dB ships an update every 5 months, and Sound Meter every 5 months. Most recently, dB was updated on November 5, 2026 and Sound Meter on October 30, 2026.

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