Comparison

Cortex vs dB Logger

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

Head to head
About

Cortex

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Cortex is a cloud based platform developed to monitor and control KIOUR products. Cortex can log temperature and humidity, digital inputs, relay and alarm activity. One or more enabled users can access remotely the unit to configure its parameters, view data in reports or in graphs and download records in XLS, CSV and PDF format. Events in progress are monitored 24/7 and notifications are send via email and to the users’ mobiles to inform about alarm, power or network failures.

About

dB Logger

Transform your device into a professional sound level meter and analyzer. Capture raw audio, log noise levels over time, and generate detailed reports. Ideal for assessing noise exposure, troubleshooting sound systems, or documenting noise complaints.

Highlights
  • Raw, unprocessed audio capture
  • Real-time dB-A, dB-C, dB-Z measurements
  • Frequency analysis (FFT spectrum)
  • Noise logging and reporting (CSV, PDF)
  • External microphone support
  • NR and NC room ratings
  • Noise-source identification
Features
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Free to download. One-time unlock. No subscription, ever. dB Logger turns your phone into a professional-grade sound level meter, frequency analyzer and noise logger — with no account, no cloud, and no subscription, ever. Most sound apps measure your phone's audio AFTER the operating system has "cleaned it up" with echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain. dB Logger doesn't. It captures RAW, UNPROCESSED audio — from the built-in mic or an external USB-C measurement microphone — so what you see reflects the real acoustic field. WHAT PEOPLE USE IT FOR • Measure a noisy neighbor, upstairs bass, or HOA / tenant nuisance — log it over time and export a timestamped CSV + PDF report to attach to a complaint. • Check whether a concert, gig, gym class, bar or restaurant is loud enough to risk your hearing — and how long is safe. • Find out if your baby's white-noise machine is too loud at the crib, and how far to move it. • Assess a room like a consultant: NR and NC single-figure ratings from octave bands for HVAC and building-services work. • Track workplace noise exposure against OSHA, NIOSH or EU limits with the built-in dosimeter. • Check a sound system, studio, AV install or science project with a live spectrum and weighted levels. MEASURE • Real-time dB-A, dB-C, dB-Z with selectable update rate (200 ms to 10 s) • Fast / Slow / Impulse time weighting; current, AVG (Leq), MAX and PEAK • NR (Noise Rating) and NC (Noise Criteria) single-figure room ratings • A noise-source guesser that tells you WHAT is loud, not just how loud VISUALIZE • Live FFT spectrum, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, with peak-hold and peak detection • 1/1 & 1/3-octave equalizer with per-band peak caps • Scrolling time-history graph, color-coded by level • A clean analog dB gauge with AVG / MAX / PEAK LOG, REPORT & SHARE • Log metrics to CSV and raw audio to lossless WAV, independently • Browse saved sessions and generate PDF / CSV reports • Noise Camera: snap a photo or record a video with the live dB reading burned in — clear evidence, easy to share BUILT RIGHT • Guided + manual calibration, saved per microphone profile • USB-C external measurement-mic support, with a visible input picker so you always know which mic you are measuring with • 42 languages; light / dark and Glass / Classic themes • On-device and private — no account, no cloud; your audio and readings never leave your phone unless you choose to share them FREE vs FULL VERSION dB Logger is free to download and fully usable for live measurement — the meter, gauge, spectrum, spectrogram, analyzer and dosimeter are all free and unlimited. The free version also lets you record, export and film video for up to 30 seconds so you can try the whole workflow; those trial clips, exports and reports carry a small "Trial" mark, and the free version keeps two days of dosimeter history. Unlock the full version with a single one-time purchase — no subscription, ever — for unlimited recording, unlimited CSV/WAV/PDF export, full-length video with no watermark, the complete dose history, and no ads. Already bought "Remove Ads"? You're upgraded to the full version automatically, at no charge. Accuracy note: a smartphone microphone is not a certified Class 1/2 (IEC 61672) sound level meter. dB Logger targets reproducible, calibrated relative measurement with standards-correct weighting and rating math. For regulatory or compliance decisions, verify with certified instrumentation.

Screenshots

Cortex4 screens
dB Logger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cortex at none against dB Logger's 2. Cortex also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). dB Logger's advantage is update cadence (daily vs monthly). On price 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. dB Logger sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Cortex asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cortex ships an update monthly, dB Logger daily. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Cortex versus dB Logger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCortexdB Logger
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB142 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKIOUR PCBEK Service LTD

In-app purchases

None

Cortex

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

dB Logger

One-time2
  • Remove Ads$3.99
  • Full Version$29.00

Questions

Is Cortex free?
Cortex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is dB Logger free?
dB Logger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cortex or dB Logger have ads?
dB Logger shows ads; Cortex does not.
Which is updated more often, Cortex or dB Logger?
Cortex ships an update monthly, and dB Logger daily. Most recently, Cortex was updated on September 19, 2026 and dB Logger on September 22, 2026.

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