# Spectrum Analyzer vs Open Sound Meter

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Open Sound Meter at 100% against Spectrum Analyzer's 5%. Open Sound Meter also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 13). Spectrum Analyzer's advantage is price (Free vs $69.99) and ratings volume (197 vs 5). On device support there is nothing between them.

Spectrum Analyzer is free to download; Open Sound Meter costs $69.99 up front. Spectrum Analyzer sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Open Sound Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.

Open Sound Meter holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectrum Analyzer has 197 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 5% of Spectrum Analyzer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Open Sound Meter's.

Spectrum Analyzer ships an update fortnightly, Open Sound Meter every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spectrum Analyzer | Open Sound Meter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $69.99 |
| Rating | [4.2 (197 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-spectrogram/id981810895/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-sound-meter/id1552933259/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **197** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 5.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Size | 132 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Music Breath](https://appshunter.io/developer/1140008995) | [Pavel Smokotnin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1552933261) |

## What reviewers say

### Spectrum Analyzer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-analyzer-spectrogram/id981810895)

Visualize audio frequencies with real-time analysis. Features include a sound level meter, multichannel harmonic analysis, and adjustable graphical representations. Gain insights into your sound environment with advanced tools.

**Highlights:** Sound level meter, Multichannel harmonic analysis, Adjustable graphics, AI-powered sound source analyzer, Real-time analysis, FFT analysis

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pitch Finder: Audio Visualizer | $9.99 | per month |
| One Month Sale | $9.99 | per month |
| 1 Week Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Year Sub. with discount | $19.99 | per year |
| 1 Month Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Subscription | $25.99 | per 3 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| 2 months subscription | $39.99 | per 2 months |
| No Ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| Additional Settings Controls | $15.99 | one-time |
| Full Pack + No Ads | $19.99 | one-time |
| Get More | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate frequency identification
- ✅ Clear and easy-to-read display
- ✅ Useful noise floor setup feature
- ✅ Works well when ads are removed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Extremely aggressive monetization strategy
- 📢 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔊 Loud ads that ignore device mute settings
- 🚫 Requires subscription/payment to access core features
- 😤 Deceptive purchase practices and accidental charges

**Reported bugs**

- App becomes unusable after iOS 16 update
- Crashes immediately on iPhone 5 with iOS 7
- Cannot exit app on iPhone X without reboot
- App freezes when changing settings or views
- Inaccurate frequency readings

**Requested features**

- Audio file import functionality
- Customizable background colors for chroma key compatibility
- Ability to record audio instead of only analyzing
- Better documentation and help files
- Improved sensitivity for detecting soft sounds


### Open Sound Meter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-sound-meter/id1552933259)

This application allows real-time tuning and control of audio systems. It provides comprehensive measurement and analysis tools for various audio parameters, with options to store, adjust, and average results. Calibration files and direct console connections enhance measurement accuracy.

**Highlights:** Real-time audio system tuning, Spectrum, SPL, Magnitude, Phase analysis, Store, adjust, and average measurements, Apply calibration files for microphones, Direct connection to mixing consoles, Project saving to device or iCloud

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spectrum Analyzer free?

Spectrum Analyzer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Open Sound Meter free?

Open Sound Meter costs $69.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spectrum Analyzer or Open Sound Meter?

Open Sound Meter is rated higher. Spectrum Analyzer averages 4.2 out of 5 from 197 ratings, while Open Sound Meter averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Spectrum Analyzer or Open Sound Meter have ads?

Spectrum Analyzer shows ads; Open Sound Meter does not.

### Which is updated more often, Spectrum Analyzer or Open Sound Meter?

Spectrum Analyzer ships an update fortnightly, and Open Sound Meter every 2 months. Most recently, Spectrum Analyzer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Open Sound Meter on September 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*