--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Sound Decibel Meter" developer_entity: "Splend Apps" bundle_id: "com.splendapps.decibel" category: "Music & Audio" primary_platform: "android" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "Android" app_last_updated: "2026-03-31" report_date: "2026-05-07" report_version: "2.35" total_reviews: 588624 overall_rating: 4.68 sentiment: "Mixed" sentiment_score: 55 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.75 top_praise_theme: "High measurement accuracy provides reliable environmental sound data for users monitoring noise levels" top_complaint_theme: "Excessive advertisement frequency interrupts core functionality and renders the sound meter unusable" top_request_theme: "Persistent storage of calibration settings would allow for more consistent user measurement experiences" review_sample_size: 100 total_review_count: 100 analyzed_review_count: 100 data_age_days: 38 momentum_velocity: "maintenance" intelligence_version: 3 nemesis: "Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter" competitor_count: 5 tags: ["music & audio", "free", "mixed sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "android", "users", "requiring"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/sound-decibel-meter" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" last_verified: "2026-05-07T11:40:08.505Z" --- # Sound Decibel Meter App Audit ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Music & Audio · Free - **Signal**: Rating 4.68 · Sentiment Mixed - **Recent focus**: Excessive advertisement frequency interrupts core functionality and renders the sound meter unusable (top complaint) · High measurement accuracy provides reliable environmental sound data for users monitoring noise levels (top praise) · Persistent storage of calibration settings would allow for more consistent user measurement experiences (top request) > **TL;DR:** Sound Decibel Meter is a music & audio app by Splend Apps, rated 4.68/5 by 588.6K users, with Mixed user sentiment (55/100), available on Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Sound Decibel Meter shows Mixed sentiment (4.68/5 from 588.6K reviews) — users praise high measurement accuracy provides reliable environmental sound data for users monitoring noise levels but report issues with excessive advertisement frequency interrupts core functionality and renders the sound meter unusable. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.68/5 (588.6K reviews) | | **User Mood** | Mixed | | **Category** | Music & Audio | | **Developer** | Splend Apps | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.75/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Splend Apps - **Category:** Music & Audio - **Target Audience:** Android users requiring basic environmental noise level monitoring for personal or non-professional use. - **Platforms:** Android - **Version Audited:** 2.35 - **Audit Date:** 2026-05-07 - **Signal Count:** 100 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.75/1.0) - **Google Play ID:** com.splendapps.decibel - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-07 - **Short Description:** Sound Meter - powerful in its simplicity and convenience of use. ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Sound Decibel Meter is an Android utility that uses the device microphone to measure ambient noise levels and visualize data via graphs. **Why users hire it:** Users hire this app for immediate, low-stakes environmental noise monitoring, so the value relies on the speed of data availability. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Decibel Measurement:** Uses the device built-in microphone to calculate sound volume in decibels - **[Standard] Visual Data Graphing:** Displays sound samples on a real-time graph for visual tracking * *User Intent:* Users want visibility into their own performance and progress. ## Market Position {#market-position} The app maintains a high 4.68 rating across over 588,000 reviews, signaling strong utility-fit despite monetization friction. The lack of recent feature innovation leaves the app vulnerable to competitors with higher update cadences. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Free with ad support - **Analysis:** Ad-supported model relies on high-volume install base to monetize through display inventory. ## 🟡 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 100 of 100 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.68/5 - **Platform Split:** Android 4.7/5 (588.6K ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Mixed ### Top Praises - **High measurement accuracy provides reliable environmental sound data for users monitoring noise levels** - **Simple interface design allows for quick and efficient sound level checks during daily tasks** - **Visual data representation via graphs and dials helps users interpret sound levels easily** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Excessive advertisement frequency interrupts core functionality and renders the sound meter unusable** - **Intrusive data tracking and consent requirements create friction for new users upon installation** - **Interface orientation issues prevent proper display rotation during sound recording sessions** ### Top Requests (What Users Want) - **Persistent storage of calibration settings would allow for more consistent user measurement experiences** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - High measurement accuracy provides reliable environmental sound data - Simple interface design allows for quick and efficient sound level checks **Critical Frictions:** - Excessive advertisement frequency interrupts core functionality - Intrusive data tracking and consent requirements create friction - Interface orientation issues prevent proper display rotation **Growth Levers:** - Persistent storage of calibration settings would allow for more consistent user measurement experiences **Market Threats:** - Decibel X professional-grade calibration features cater to prosumers, creating a significant trust barrier ## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes} The report transitioned from a basic utility overview to a detailed competitive analysis, highlighting that aggressive ad-monetization is causing significant user churn. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-05-07 ### High-impact changes - **[Declined] Emergence of negative sentiment themes** (sentiment) — New complaints regarding excessive ad frequency and intrusive data tracking are now identified as primary churn drivers. - **[Shifted] Monetization strategy critique** (positioning) — Executive summary shifted from neutral utility description to a warning that ad-to-utility ratios are creating a churn risk. ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] Formalization of competitive threats** (swot) — Added specific threats regarding professional-grade calibration features from competitors like Decibel X. - **[Added] Feature gap documentation** (features) — New tracking of missing professional-grade capabilities, including frequency analysis and multi-platform support. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Sound Decibel Meter vs Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter — Head to Head - **[Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/decibel-x-db-sound-level-meter)** by SkyPaw Co., Limited: This is the only direct rival with a massive user base and consistent, long-term maintenance in the exact sound measurement niche. - **Moat strength:** High — sustainable advantage over 12 months - **Key differences:** - Offers professional-grade calibration features that cater to prosumers and technical users beyond basic hobbyist needs. - Provides multi-platform ecosystem support that allows for synchronized data tracking across different device types. - Maintains a long-standing brand reputation that creates significant trust barriers for new entrants in the category. - **Where Sound Decibel Meter wins:** - ✅ Focuses on a simplified, minimalist interface that reduces cognitive load for casual users needing quick measurements. - ✅ Optimizes for lightweight performance, ensuring the app remains responsive on lower-end Android hardware configurations. - **Where Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter wins:** - ❌ Includes advanced frequency analysis tools that provide deeper technical insights than a standard decibel readout. - ❌ Features a more robust, established UI design that feels like a professional utility rather than a basic tool. - **Verdict:** The target app must double down on its 'simplicity' value proposition to defend against the feature-heavy, professional-grade approach of Decibel X. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Sound Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/sound-meter-1)** by Coolexp [Moat: Medium]: High release velocity indicates an aggressive attempt to capture market share through rapid feature iteration. - Maintains a high-frequency update cycle that allows for rapid bug fixes and feature adjustments based on feedback. - Targets a broader utility-focused audience by positioning itself as a general-purpose noise measurement tool. ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[Sound Spectrum Analyzer](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/sound-spectrum-analyzer)** by PC Mehanik: Serves the same audio-measurement category but focuses on spectrum analysis rather than simple decibel logging. - Provides visual frequency distribution data which appeals to audio engineers rather than casual sound level checkers. - Operates as a specialized diagnostic tool rather than a general-purpose volume monitoring application. - **Frequency: Sound Generator** by Lucija Jaksic: Adjacent utility that shares the audio-measurement category but focuses on output generation rather than input monitoring. - Focuses on generating specific sound frequencies for testing hardware rather than measuring ambient environmental noise levels. - Serves a distinct technical audience that requires signal generation capabilities for audio equipment calibration. ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[Octave Band Real Time Frequency Analyzer and Sound Level Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/octave-band-real-time-frequency-analyzer-and-sound)** by Marina Polyanskaya: Recent updates and specialized functionality suggest an emerging focus on high-precision audio analysis for niche users. ## What's New - **Latest (v2.35, 1 months ago):** General usability improvements and minor bug fixes. ## App Momentum (Maintenance) {#momentum} - Ships minor usability and bug fixes. - Maintains high-volume ad-supported install base. > **Cadence:** 1 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 36 days since last update ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Sound Decibel Meter is an established music & audio app that is completely free. With a 4.68/5 rating from 588.6K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. > **Bottom Line:** The app retains users through high-accuracy measurement, but the aggressive ad-monetization strategy is actively driving churn to competitors, so the PM must prioritize ad-frequency reduction to protect the long-term install base. **Best for:** Android users requiring basic environmental noise level monitoring for personal or non-professional use. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [PIVOT] [HIGH IMPACT] Cut ad frequency during active measurement sessions because user complaints cite ads as the #1 churn driver → improve retention. — *High-frequency advertisement complaints are the primary driver of negative sentiment.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause the planned UI redesign to prioritize ad-logic refactoring.)_ - [ ] [INVEST] [MEDIUM IMPACT] Ship persistent calibration settings because it is the top-requested feature → increase user trust. — *Users explicitly request saved preferences to match competitor utility.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Deprioritize the minor bug fix backlog for one sprint.)_ ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Professional-grade calibration (available in Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter) - Multi-platform ecosystem support (available in Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter) - Advanced frequency analysis (available in Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter) ### Outlook: Mixed The casual utility market is consolidating around tools that balance ad-monetization with session-length, leaving Sound Decibel Meter exposed to competitors with cleaner interfaces. Without a shift toward user-friendly monetization or feature differentiation, the app will likely see a gradual decline in active users as competitors exploit the current ad-friction. - 🔴 Excessive ad frequency during active recording sessions triggers high churn, which compounds the negative sentiment already visible in recent reviews. - ⚪ Recent updates focused on minor bug fixes and usability, indicating the app is in maintenance mode rather than active feature expansion. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.68/5 | | Total Reviews | 588.6K | | Sentiment | Mixed (55/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | Android | | Key Features | 2 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Mixed | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sound Decibel Meter** (this app) | 4.68/5 | Mixed | Splend Apps | | [Octave Band Real Time Frequency Analyzer and Sound Level Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/octave-band-real-time-frequency-analyzer-and-sound) | 3.9/5 | N/A | Marina Polyanskaya | | [Sound Spectrum Analyzer](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/sound-spectrum-analyzer) | 4.2/5 | N/A | PC Mehanik | | [Sound Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/sound-meter-1) | 4.5/5 | N/A | Coolexp | | [Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/decibel-x-db-sound-level-meter) | 4.7/5 | N/A | SkyPaw Co., Limited | | [Lis10: Audio Guides](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/lis10-audio-guides) | 3.9/5 | N/A | Petr Nálevka (Urbandroid) | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Splend Apps - **Website:** [https://splendapps.com/](https://splendapps.com/) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/splendapps) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SplendApps) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/SplendApps) ## Data Sources & Links - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.splendapps.decibel&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://splendapps.com/) - **Sources:** Developer website content, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Octave Band Real Time Frequency Analyzer and Sound Level Meter*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/octave-band-real-time-frequency-analyzer-and-sound) (Marina Polyanskaya) — 3.9/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Sound Spectrum Analyzer*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/sound-spectrum-analyzer) (PC Mehanik) — 4.2/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Sound Meter*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/sound-meter-1) (Coolexp) — 4.5/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/decibel-x-db-sound-level-meter) (SkyPaw Co., Limited) — 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Lis10: Audio Guides*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/lis10-audio-guides) (Petr Nálevka (Urbandroid)) — 3.9/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Samsung Music*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/samsung-music) (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.) — 3.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Metronome*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/metronome-3) (NixGame) — 4.6/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Tuner - Pitched!*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/tuner-pitched) (Stonekick) — 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Vietnam radios online*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/vietnam-radios-online) (ArtStyle) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Radio Chicago*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/radio-chicago) (ArtStyle) — 4.5/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting. 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.75/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 100 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/music-audio/sound-decibel-meter) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.