Comparison

SoLoud vs Lux Decibel Insight

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

Head to head
About

SoLoud

Features
Read full description

SoLOUD — Real-Time Sound Level Meter & Noise Dose Tracker How loud is your world? SoLOUD turns your iPhone into a precision sound level meter that measures decibel levels in real time and tracks your cumulative noise exposure using NIOSH safety standards. Whether you're at a concert, on a job site, in a classroom, or just curious about the noise around you, SoLOUD gives you the data you need to protect your hearing. REAL-TIME DECIBEL MONITORING SoLOUD samples audio 20 times per second for fast, accurate readings displayed on an animated circular gauge. Watch your sound levels update live with smooth transitions and color-coded indicators that shift from green to red as volume increases. Track your current, peak, minimum, and average decibel levels at a glance. NIOSH NOISE DOSE TRACKING Noise damage is cumulative. SoLOUD calculates your noise dose using the NIOSH formula, where 100% equals 85 dB sustained over 8 hours. Monitor both your current session dose and your daily cumulative dose with visual progress bars that change color as you approach unsafe levels. The app displays your maximum safe exposure time so you always know how long you can stay before risking damage. SEVEN LOUDNESS CATEGORIES Every reading is classified into one of seven categories — Silent, Quiet, Moderate, Loud, Very Loud, Dangerous, and Extreme — each with a clear safety assessment and recommended exposure limit. You'll never have to guess whether your environment is safe. INSTANT SAFETY ALERTS When noise levels cross into dangerous territory, SoLOUD responds immediately with visual danger warnings including a pulsing red overlay and on-screen hearing damage risk alerts. The app makes it impossible to ignore unsafe conditions. SESSION HISTORY & STATISTICS Every monitoring session is automatically recorded and saved. Review detailed statistics for each session including minimum, maximum, average, and peak decibel readings. See exactly how much time you spent in each loudness category with color-coded breakdown bars. Track your noise dose percentage per session and identify patterns in your noise exposure over time. 60-SECOND SIGNAL TRACE A live waveform display plots your sound levels over the last 60 seconds with a grid overlay, giving you a visual history of recent noise fluctuations. Spot sudden spikes and sustained loud periods at a glance. FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE Adjust SoLOUD to fit your needs. Configure the display refresh rate from realtime to relaxed. Calibrate the meter with a -20 to +20 dB offset to match your device. Set your own danger threshold. Toggle meter smoothing, screen-on behavior, and auto-start monitoring. Turn visual effects on or off to suit your preference. CYBERPUNK INTERFACE SoLOUD isn't just functional, it looks the part. BUILT FOR REAL USE - Musicians monitoring stage and rehearsal volume - Construction and factory workers tracking job site noise - Parents checking noise levels in nurseries and classrooms - Event organizers managing venue sound - Audio engineers verifying output levels - Anyone who wants to understand and protect against noise exposure KEY FEATURES - Real-time decibel meter with 20 Hz sampling - Noise dose calculation (session and daily) - Seven loudness categories with safety assessments - Visual danger alerts with hearing damage warnings - Automatic session recording with full statistics - Loudness category time breakdowns per session - 60-second live signal trace waveform - Configurable refresh rate, calibration, and danger threshold - Persistent session history - Matrix rain, scanlines, and cyberpunk visual effects - Keep screen on mode for continuous monitoring Your hearing doesn't regenerate. Once it's damaged, it's gone. SoLOUD gives you the awareness to make informed decisions about noise exposure every single day. Download now and start monitoring.

About

Lux Decibel Insight

Monitor real-time sound and light levels in your environment. Track variations, detect changes, and maintain a reference for various activities like work, study, or content creation. Export your measurement history for later analysis.

Highlights
  • Real-time sound level measurement (dB)
  • Camera-based light estimation (lux)
  • Live sound and light charts
  • Session average and peak sound values
  • Measurement history and CSV export
  • Simple session control
Features
Read full description

Understand the sound and light around you, together. Lux Decibel Insight combines sound levels in dB and camera-based light estimates in lux on your iPhone and iPad. Follow changes in real time and keep both readings visible while exploring your session. CHECK YOUR SURROUNDINGS • Observe noise around your desk, office, or study space. • Follow sound changes in meeting rooms and shared spaces. • Check estimated light when preparing photos or videos. • Explore conditions in studios, shops, classrooms, and reading areas. FOLLOW EVERY SESSION • View live sound and light readings. • Follow separate sound and light charts. • Check average sound, peak sound, and average light. • Start and stop capture with a clear ON/OFF control. • Scroll through the tools while keeping current readings visible. GO FURTHER WITH PREMIUM A one-time purchase unlocks: • CSV export of the current session. • Extended charts with up to 1,800 samples. • Focus mode for sound or light charts. • Live microphone activity and signal preview. • Calibration controls for sound offset, light correction, and smoothing. • An ad-free experience. Individual tools can also be unlocked for 30 minutes by completing a rewarded ad, when available. Readings belong to the current session. Export your CSV before tapping OFF: stopping capture clears the session. MEASUREMENT GUIDANCE Readings are indicative estimates based on your device’s microphone and camera. Calibration requires an external reference. For regulatory, safety, or certification checks, use calibrated certified instruments.

Screenshots

SoLoud3 screens
Lux Decibel Insight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SoLoud at none against Lux Decibel Insight's 1. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Lux Decibel Insight sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SoLoud asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SoLoud versus Lux Decibel Insight: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoLoudLux Decibel Insight
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.618.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperJames Louis Washkau JrcAsAxMoRe

In-app purchases

None

SoLoud

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Lux Decibel Insight

One-time1
  • Lux Decibel Insight Premium$1.99

Questions

Is SoLoud free?
SoLoud is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lux Decibel Insight free?
Lux Decibel Insight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SoLoud or Lux Decibel Insight have ads?
Both SoLoud and Lux Decibel Insight show ads.

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