dB Logger vs DeciMate SPL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
DeciMate SPL
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DeciMate SPL helps you monitor sound levels during rehearsals, DJ sets, small events, venue checks, and live-sound work. It turns your iPhone into a practical SPL monitoring companion with a clean real-time meter, calibration tools, threshold alerts, session history, export options, and expressive visual feedback that makes level changes easy to understand at a glance. Use DeciMate SPL to keep an eye on loudness trends, spot peaks, document sessions, and share live readings across your local network for dashboards and creative workflows. Features: - Live approximate SPL monitoring - Clear circular input meter with threshold-based visual feedback - Manual calibration offset and quick “Match Reference” calibration - Adjustable warning, critical, and peak thresholds - Threshold presets for common monitoring situations - Fast and slow response modes - Session history graph - Detailed session export with live-monitoring values - Companion animation with fullscreen focus mode - Screen-awake fullscreen monitoring for visual use during sessions - DeciMate Live Link for local network JSON streaming - Optional OSC streaming for dashboards, tools, and live-production workflows Important: DeciMate SPL uses the device microphone for practical monitoring. It is not a certified Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meter and should not be used as the sole tool for legal, workplace-safety, or compliance measurements.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DeciMate SPL at none against dB Logger's 2. DeciMate SPL also leads on ads (none vs shown). dB Logger's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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
Both are free to download. dB Logger sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. DeciMate SPL asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | dB Logger | DeciMate SPL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Daily | — |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 142 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BEK Service LTD | David Torres |
In-app purchases
dB Logger
- Remove Ads$3.99
- Full Version$29.00
DeciMate SPL
No in-app purchases









