RTA Pro vs Spectrolite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RTA Pro
Transform your iOS device into a professional audio analysis tool. Analyze ambient noise frequencies, pinpoint room resonance, and set up sound systems for events. Features include custom calibration, multiple display modes, and adjustable speed settings.
- Real-time audio spectrum analysis
- Frequency range 32Hz to 16kHz
- Linear, dB(A), and dB(C) weightings
- 1/3 Octave Bands, Octave Bands, and FFT display
- Adjustable speed settings
- Custom calibration options
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RTA Pro is a real time audio spektrum analyzer. It turns your iOS device into a powerful audio test system usually seen only in audio research laboratories and music studios. Such instruments are used to analyze the frequency spectrum of ambient noise, e.g. to be able to pinpoint frequencies which cause rumble in a room. Another use is the level setting setting of PA systems for concerts. Features: RTA Pro requires iOS11 or later and has been calibrated for the microphones of most iPhones. Custom calibration is also possible. The frequency range is 32Hz to 16kHz. Linear display, as well as weightings for measuring dB(A) and dB(C) is provided. Apart from 1/3 Octave Bands and Octave Bands, RTA Pro also features the display of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The speed is adjustable to impulse, 128ms and 1 second.
Spectrolite
This app visualizes sound in real-time using various spectrogram types. Explore detailed audio data with intuitive touch controls and adjustable parameters. An optional purchase unlocks advanced measurement tools.
- Real-time spectrogram visualization
- Constant-Q, linear, and mel frequency scales
- Full human hearing frequency range
- Intuitive touch panning and zooming
- Adjustable gain, Q, and other parameters
- Pro version: grids, scales, spectrum view, tap-to-measure
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Spectrolite visualizes sound as spectrograms in real time. Spectrolite supports constant-Q spectrograms, which use a logarithmic frequency scale for a display where musical notes are evenly spaced. Spectrograms based on linear and mel frequency scales are also supported. The display covers the full frequency range of human hearing. Intuitive touch panning and zooming lets you dive in and explore the spectrograms in detail. Gain, Q, and other parameters can be adjusted in real time and instantly apply to the display of past signals as well as future ones. The Pro in-app purchase adds grids and scales for time, frequency, and amplitude, as well as a spectrum view and a tap-to-measure function. This expands Spectrolite into an audio measurement tool that you can use to measure frequencies, musical pitches, amplitudes, and durations.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Spectrolite at Free against RTA Pro's $5.99. Spectrolite also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 50%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). RTA Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). On ads 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
Spectrolite is free to download; RTA Pro costs $5.99 up front. Spectrolite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RTA Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.
Spectrolite holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectrolite has 51 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of RTA Pro's written reviews are positive against 83% of Spectrolite's.
RTA Pro ships an update every 3 months, Spectrolite every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RTA Pro | Spectrolite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) | 4.8 (51 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 51 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 8 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #188 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthias Schorer | Waxing Wave |
Customer experience
RTA Pro
Spectrolite
In-app purchases
RTA Pro
No in-app purchases
Spectrolite
- Pro$4.99









