Comparison

Turtle vs dB Decibel

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

Head to head
About

Turtle

Read full description

Do you want to keep your personal data a bit safer? Turtle is for you. Create and encrypt text files, locally or in the cloud. Turtle works with both iCloud and Dropbox. The mobile and desktop versions of Turtle integrate seamlessly. Create a document in the cloud on your mobile device and it is available on your desktop. Turtle uses the Date Encryption Standard (DES) to encrypt all your data.

About

dB Decibel

This application measures ambient noise levels in decibels in real-time, providing honest readings by indicating when sounds are too low or too loud for the microphone. It offers various professional metrics and features for detailed sound analysis, with an option for advanced tools via a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Real-time dB(A) sound level measurement
  • Peak hold and honest readings (clipping/near-silence detection)
  • Professional metrics (Leq, L10, L90)
  • Safe-listening time estimate
  • Dominant frequency and live graph
  • Evidence Mode for noise-event logging
  • Live Sound ID for noise identification
Features
Read full description

dB Decibel is an iPhone sound level meter that measures ambient noise in real time in dB(A) with peak hold, and flags when a sound falls below the microphone floor or clips the mic so you can trust every reading. Everything runs 100% on your device with no subscription and no tracking, and audio is never recorded or sent. Most meters read 50–60 dB in dead silence and cap loud sources. dB Decibel is honest: it tells you when you are below the mic floor and when a sound clips the mic, so you trust every reading. One fair price. No subscription, no tracking. Everything runs 100% on your device. Audio is never recorded or sent. WHAT'S FREE - Live dB(A) sound level meter with peak hold - Clipping + near-silence detection — honest readings - Real pro metrics: Leq, L10 and L90 - Safe-listening time estimate (informational) - Dominant frequency, min/avg/max, live graph - "How loud is it?" reference scale - One-tap guided calibration, landscape, share card - Start/stop from Siri, the Action Button and Control Center dB DECIBEL PRO — one-time purchase - Evidence Mode: timestamped noise-event log with a landlord/HOA-ready PDF and CSV - Live Sound ID: on-device "what is this noise?" - Live Activity + Lock Screen / Home Screen widgets - Exposure & dose: LAeq, 8-hour TWA, daily-dose % (informational) - Octave-band analysis and a test-tone generator - Sleep Soundscape: overnight room-noise timeline - External & Bluetooth mic support with per-input calibration - Real-time spectrum analyzer, loud-level alerts, A/C/Z weighting, fine trim - Session history with auto-save, and removes ads No subscription. Ever. Pay once, keep it forever. Note: dB Decibel is an environmental sound-measurement tool, not a hearing-protection, occupational or medical device. Dose, exposure and safe-time figures are informational; readings are approximate and uncalibrated.

Screenshots

Turtle3 screens
dB Decibel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Turtle at none against dB Decibel's 1. Turtle also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 1). dB Decibel's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price 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 Decibel sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Turtle asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Turtle ships an update monthly, dB Decibel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Turtle versus dB Decibel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTurtledB Decibel
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike HollingsheadLevin David Schwab

In-app purchases

None

Turtle

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

dB Decibel

One-time1
  • Decibel Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Turtle free?
Turtle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is dB Decibel free?
dB Decibel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Turtle or dB Decibel have ads?
dB Decibel shows ads; Turtle does not.
Which is updated more often, Turtle or dB Decibel?
Turtle ships an update monthly, and dB Decibel every 4 days. Most recently, Turtle was updated on October 9, 2026 and dB Decibel on September 29, 2026.

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