Decibel Meter - Sound Level
By Brais Castro
Decibel Meter is an iOS utility that provides real-time sound level measurements and historical charting on a circular gauge.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the privacy friction associated with sound-metering tools by processing all audio data locally on the device.
For iPhone users needing quick, real-time sound level estimates for non-professional or non-regulatory purposes.
What does it look like?
Key features
Displays dB SPL readings on a circular gauge with 10 updates per second.
Visualizes sound fluctuations with a 15-second limit for free users, gating longer durations behind Pro.
Provides an offset adjustment for the device microphone to improve measurement accuracy.
How much does it cost?
The freemium model gates advanced data visualization and calibration tools to monetize power users.
Velocity
Dormant developmentopaqueShow more...
Development has stalled, with no new feature builds or updates released in the last six months. The app's last recorded activity was a minor bug fix release 191 days ago. Given the lack of updates, the app is currently in a zombie state with no evidence of active maintenance or ongoing development.
Who built it?
Brais Castro
6 apps tracked · Utilities
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Decibel Meter - Sound Level
How's the Utilities market?
Decibel Meter maintains a niche position in the Utilities category, relying on a privacy-first value proposition to differentiate from ad-supported rivals. The 191-day update gap suggests a lack of aggressive market expansion, limiting its ability to capture share from more actively maintained competitors.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Decibel Meter - Sound Level
Where is it heading?
The sound-metering utility market is consolidating around apps that offer frequent feature updates and hardware-integrated widgets. Decibel Meter's current development silence leaves it vulnerable to rivals that offer similar privacy guarantees alongside modern iOS feature support.
- The 191-day update gap indicates a maintenance-only posture, which risks technical obsolescence as iOS microphone permissions evolve.
- Privacy-first processing remains a stable differentiator, though it lacks the feature-velocity required to displace category leaders.
The SWOT
- Privacy-first, on-device processing removes data-harvesting friction
- Widget-based quick-launch could increase session frequency
Next best moves
Ship widget-based quick-launch because the current manual-open flow limits session frequency → increase daily active usage
The counter-intuitive read
Users report: The lack of cloud-syncing is Decibel Meter's primary asset…
Read the full takeBottom line
Decibel Meter's privacy-first architecture provides a clear differentiator, but the 191-day development silence threatens its long-term viability. Addressing the lack of active maintenance is necessary to prevent user churn as iOS requirements evolve.
Unlock 1 critical friction, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Decibel Meter safe to use for privacy-conscious users?
Can I use Decibel Meter for professional noise compliance?
What features are included in the Pro version?
Sources
- [1] App Store listing
Report last updated