dB vs Sound Meter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Sound Meter
Read full descriptionHide full description
Get a clearer view of the sounds around you. Sound Meter uses your deviceβs 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 deviceβs 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | dB | Sound Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No β better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | β |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod β better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kurenz Music GbR | SEOKWON YANG |
In-app purchases
dB
No in-app purchases
Sound Meter
No in-app purchases









