Comparison

dB vs loudness METER broadcast LUFS

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

loudness METER broadcast LUFS

Features
Read full description

Broadcast-grade loudness, studio quality — now mobile, now with target profiles. loudness METER by pegelWERK brings the EBU R128 / ITU-R BS.1770-4 loudness engine of loudness METER PRO to your iPhone. For sound engineers, podcast producers and recording professionals who need a reliable reference on the go — no laptop, no plugin, no compromise. TARGET PROFILES (new) Pick your loudness target by profile — the meter's target line, colour zones and LU readout adapt instantly: • EBU R128 / Broadcast (−23 LUFS) • Podcast (−16 LUFS) • YouTube & streaming (−14 LUFS) • Audiobook (−18 LUFS) • USA, Japan, Australia (−24 LKFS) • Documentary and sports LOUDNESS METERING • Momentary LUFS (400 ms window) • Short-term LUFS (3 s window) • Integrated LUFS over the full measurement • Loudness Range (LRA) per EBU Tech 3342 • True Peak per ITU-R BS.1770-4 with 4× oversampling SPECTRUM ANALYSIS • Real-time FFT from 20 Hz to 20 kHz • Professional reference resolution • Switchable between loudness and spectrum view PROFESSIONAL USE • Broadcast: quick level check on location • Podcast & streaming: master to the right target • Recording: A/B comparison between sessions • Mixing: portable second reference alongside the main system WHY LOUDNESS METER • Compact, optimised for iPhone display • Lightweight, no background processes • Works immediately — no login, no account, no cloud required • Free — no subscription, no in-app purchases, no hidden costs loudness METER is the mobile variant of the professional pegelWERK desktop application loudness METER PRO. Same DSP engine, refined UI for mobile use. pegelWERK — Pro Audio Software.

Screenshots

dB4 screens
loudness METER broadcast LUFS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: loudness METER broadcast LUFS at every 2 weeks against dB's every 5 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dB ships an update every 5 months, loudness METER broadcast LUFS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
dB versus loudness METER broadcast LUFS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdBloudness METER broadcast LUFS
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKurenz Music GbRSascha Hoemske

In-app purchases

None

dB

No in-app purchases

None

loudness METER broadcast LUFS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is dB free?
dB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is loudness METER broadcast LUFS free?
loudness METER broadcast LUFS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do dB or loudness METER broadcast LUFS have ads?
Neither dB nor loudness METER broadcast LUFS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dB or loudness METER broadcast LUFS?
dB ships an update every 5 months, and loudness METER broadcast LUFS every 2 weeks. Most recently, dB was updated on October 23, 2026 and loudness METER broadcast LUFS on October 24, 2026.

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