Comparison

RTA Pro vs Spectrolite

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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

RTA Pro4 screens
Spectrolite4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
RTA Pro versus Spectrolite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTA ProSpectrolite
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)4.8 (51 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings251 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#188 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthias SchorerWaxing Wave

Customer experience

RTA Pro

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Spectrolite

All ratings51 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

RTA Pro

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Spectrolite

One-time1
  • Pro$4.99

Questions

Is RTA Pro free?
RTA Pro costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spectrolite free?
Spectrolite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RTA Pro or Spectrolite?
Spectrolite is rated higher. RTA Pro averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Spectrolite averages 4.8 from 51 ratings.
Do RTA Pro or Spectrolite have ads?
Neither RTA Pro nor Spectrolite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RTA Pro or Spectrolite?
RTA Pro ships an update every 3 months, and Spectrolite every 8 months. Most recently, RTA Pro was updated on September 13, 2026 and Spectrolite on September 23, 2026.

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