Sound Meter (Noise Detector) vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Sound Meter (Noise Detector)'s closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

	Sound Meter (Noise Detector) This App	Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter Nemesis	NIOSH Sound Level Meter Contender	Hearing Test & Ear Age Test Peer	Hearing Test: Live Audiogram Peer	BetterSleep: Relax and Sleep New Kid	White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds New Kid
Core Identity
Developer	Ngo Bien	SkyPaw Co., Limited	EA LAB	Yuichi Sakashita	Algorithm electronics	Ipnos Software Inc.	Slumber Studios, LLC
Category	Health & Fitness	Utilities	Utilities	Health & Fitness	Health & Fitness	Health & Fitness	Health & Fitness
Platform	iOS	Android, iOS	iOS	iOS	Android	iOS	Android, iOS
Store Metrics
Rating	4.5 / 5	4.7 / 5	4.7 / 5	4.6 / 5	4.5 / 5	4.7 / 5	4.8 / 5
Ratings Count	8	156,587	16,196	205	6,488	390,086	201,936
Price	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free
Release Date	Oct 18, 2018	Nov 5, 2011	Jan 13, 2017	Dec 18, 2015	Apr 6, 2018	May 7, 2009	Feb 17, 2016
Last Updated	Oct 13, 2024	Apr 4, 2026	Apr 17, 2026	May 25, 2025	Mar 16, 2026	Apr 23, 2026	Mar 27, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentiment	excellent	-	mixed	mixed	-	negative	mixed
Score	90/100	-	45/100	65/100	-	25/100	65/100
Praises	High measurement accuracy provides reliable data for users performing sound and hearing tests Zero cost barrier allows for immediate access to core diagnostic testing features	-	Accurate sound measurement capabilities provide professional utility for field audio and safety monitoring	High frequency accuracy provides reliable baseline screening results comparable to professional audiologist testing equipment	-	High quality sleep sound variety provides effective relaxation for users struggling with nightly rest	Consistent sound quality and variety help users manage sleep cycles and block external noise
Complaints	-	-	Post-update technical regressions cause measurement failures and inaccurate readings on current hardware	Aggressive advertising patterns disrupt the testing flow and force users toward external store pages	-	Aggressive paywall implementation restricts access to previously free content and core sound features	Aggressive subscription paywalls limit access to basic sounds and frustrate new users
Requests	Extended frequency range options requested to improve the utility of hearing diagnostic tests	-	Dark mode interface requested to improve usability for nighttime noise monitoring sessions	Paid upgrade option to save and compare multiple test results over extended time periods	-	Addition of a lower-cost monthly subscription plan for casual or intermittent users	One-time purchase options are requested to avoid recurring subscription fatigue
Strategic Intel
Strengths	High-accuracy diagnostic tools sustain organic install velocity Integrated hearing-test utility creates a health-monitoring focus	-	Laboratory-validated accuracy (± 2 dBA) functions as a scientific barrier to entry for non-specialized apps.	Clinical-grade frequency accuracy validated by user audiograms Simple interface design lowers the barrier for self-administered screenings	-	Specialized noise-focused soundscape environment sustains functional utility HealthKit-integrated sleep tracking drives daily habit formation	Smart speaker integration embeds the app into home audio environments 250+ sound library provides deep content variety
Weaknesses	Zero monetization gates limit revenue per user Limited frequency range capability restricts appeal to prosumers	-	Technical regressions on current hardware cause measurement failures, increasing churn risk.	Intrusive full-screen advertising disrupts testing flow Inconsistent volume calibration across headphone models	-	Aggressive paywalling of previously free content alienates long-term users Technical instability post-update disrupts nightly sleep routines	$49.99/year subscription is high relative to the category median Significant battery drain reported during overnight sessions
Pricing	free	freemium	free	free	free	freemium	subscription
Momentum	Zombie	Active	Maintenance	Zombie	-	Active	Active
Update Cadence	1 versions	5 versions	1 versions	1 versions	-	3 versions, ~19d avg	5 versions, 3 majors/6mo, ~18d avg

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