Turtle vs dB Decibel
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Turtle
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. dB Decibel sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Turtle asks for nothing beyond the download.
Turtle ships an update monthly, dB Decibel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Turtle | dB Decibel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike Hollingshead | Levin David Schwab |
In-app purchases
Turtle
No in-app purchases
dB Decibel
- Decibel Pro$4.99









