NIOSH Sound Level Meter is a free, government-validated acoustic measurement tool for workplace noise exposure on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
It removes the financial barrier to professional-grade noise measurement for workers and employers who require validated data for compliance.
For Workers and employers seeking to measure workplace noise exposure and prevent occupational hearing loss.
What does it look like?
Key features
Provides LAeq, TWA, Max, Peak, and Noise Dose metrics based on NIOSH and OSHA standards.
Allows manual calibration of internal or external microphones to maintain accuracy.
How much does it cost?
The app operates as a non-commercial public service tool, prioritizing research and safety over monetization.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentopaqueShow more...
The app is currently in a maintenance phase, having shipped only one release in the observed window. With the latest update occurring 103 days ago, the development cadence is infrequent and lacks evidence of active feature development or live operations. The lack of recent activity suggests a focus on long-term stability rather than iterative growth.
Who built it?
EA LAB
4 apps tracked · Utilities
NoiSee
NoiSee Sound Level Meter
Race PatrolUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Review voice lately leans mixed. Users appreciate the simple and intuitive interface allows users to perform quick sound measurements without complex setup and free access to professional-grade sound level data provides significant value for personal and professional use.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The simple and intuitive interface allows users to perform quick sound measurements without complex setup
- Free access to professional-grade sound level data provides significant value for personal and professional use
- Integration with health tracking apps enables users to monitor long-term environmental noise exposure effectively
- The latest update introduced severe stability issues including app crashes and failure to record measurements
49 of 49 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 3 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for NIOSH Sound Level Meter
How's the Utilities market?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter holds a niche position as a non-commercial utility, currently ranking in the top 100 free utilities across several international markets. Its zero-cost model provides a significant competitive advantage over subscription-based rivals, though the lack of feature updates limits its growth against commercial alternatives.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By SkyPaw Co., Limited
This app is the dominant commercial alternative in the sound measurement niche, maintaining a massive user base and consistent update cadence.
- Offers a sophisticated spectrum analyzer and frequency weighting options that target professional audio engineers.
- Monetizes through a freemium model with advanced features locked behind subscriptions, contrasting with our completely free approach.
- Provides extensive calibration settings to adjust for specific device microphone hardware variations.
Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for NIOSH Sound Level Meter
Where is it heading?
The acoustic measurement market is consolidating around commercial apps that offer frequent live-ops and modern UI updates. NIOSH Sound Level Meter's maintenance-mode posture leaves it exposed to rivals that are actively siphoning professional users through better hardware compatibility and stability.
- Stability regressions in the latest version (crashes, recording failures) erode user trust, which compounds the rating drag already visible on the platform.
- The 103-day gap since the last update signals a maintenance-only posture, leaving the app vulnerable to rivals with aggressive, feature-rich release cadences.
The SWOT
- Government-validated accuracy standards establish category authority
- Zero-cost model removes all barriers to entry
- Implementing dark mode would improve usability for audio technicians in low-light settings
Next best moves
Rebuild recording session logic because the latest update introduced crashes and recording failures → restore core utility
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's maintenance-mode status is a feature, not a bug…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Spectrum analyzer (available in Decibel X but absent here) +1
Since the last report: Stability regressions and a 103-day update gap have eroded the app's reputation for reliability, shifting sentiment from mixed-positive to a state of active functional failure.
Bottom line
Restoring core stability is the priority to defend the app's reputation as a reliable, government-validated instrument. If the recording failures are not addressed, the app risks losing its professional user base to more stable, commercial alternatives.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter accurate enough for professional use?
How does NIOSH Sound Level Meter compare to Decibel X?
Does the app work in the background?
What is a free alternative to NIOSH Sound Level Meter?
Sources
Report last updated