Open Sound Meter

Overview

Open Sound Meter is software for measuring sound while tuning audio systems, with a desktop version for technically minded users working on system performance. Its broad set of analysis views and saved measurement projects make it a strong fit for detailed tuning; it is not a substitute for a calibrated measurement chain.

Key features

It covers real-time spectrum and SPL analysis alongside magnitude and phase response, phase and group delay, impulse and step response, coherence, spectrogram, impedance, Nyquist plot and crest factor. Offline file analysis adds a way to examine recorded material rather than only monitor a live system. This range suits users diagnosing system behavior from several angles, but is more than a basic level-checking workflow requires.

Projects can be saved and reopened, with settings retained for each stored measurement. That helps users return to prior work without reconstructing every measurement setup. A wavelength calculator, virtual summation, difference and averaging, signal generator, equalization and modelling extend the software from observation into comparison and system adjustment.

The Remote API shares active and stored measurements between Open Sound Meter instances and can also serve third-party applications, useful when measurements need to fit into another software workflow. The maker describes the desktop version as open source and invites contributions on GitHub.

Cloud services store measurement and settings data, not audio recordings or raw audio data. The maker says its website, accounts and Cloud services run on a dedicated server in Germany operated by Hetzner Online GmbH. Account passwords are stored as hashes, and account data is retained while an account exists. When a Cloud subscription ends, data remains viewable for six months, is hidden for another six months, then is deleted if the subscription is not renewed. Users who need longer Cloud access should account for that retention window.

Measurement results depend on the microphones, audio hardware, calibration, settings and measurement conditions. Open Sound Meter alone does not replace required calibration or certification of the measurement chain, so it is not the right choice for users who need software alone to establish compliant results.

Pricing

The Community plan costs nothing and provides the registered-user desktop version for Windows, macOS and Linux. It is the straightforward starting point for desktop users who do not need Pro features or Cloud services.

Desktop Pro is a one-time payment for a perpetual Pro entitlement on Windows, macOS and Linux; Cloud services are excluded. Pro + Cloud is billed monthly or yearly, includes Desktop Pro features and Cloud services during the subscription, and renews automatically unless cancelled. Both desktop entitlements cover one user on up to five simultaneously activated devices. Their prices are custom pricing, so the choice is between a perpetual desktop entitlement without Cloud and a renewing subscription with Cloud.

The iPad app is sold separately on the Apple App Store and is not included with Desktop Pro or Pro + Cloud. Its price is custom pricing. Paid consultations in Russian or English start at $100 for one session lasting 1–1.5 hours; users can also contact support by email or post in the Facebook group.

Platforms

The Community desktop version and the two desktop Pro plans support Windows, macOS and Linux. The separate iPad app serves iPad users; it is not part of the desktop plans.

Who it's for

Open Sound Meter is best suited to audio-system technicians and other technically capable users who need multiple measurement views, saved project settings, or a way to share measurements through the Remote API. Its free desktop plan makes it accessible for trying that workflow without a paid entitlement. Users seeking only a simple spectrum plug-in, or who need certified measurements without managing calibration and conditions, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A wide range of response, timing, coherence and level views supports more involved system diagnosis than a single analyzer view.
• Pro: Saved projects preserve measurement settings, while the Remote API supports sharing with other instances and third-party applications.
• Pro: The registered-user Community desktop version is free across Windows, macOS and Linux.
• Con: Reliable results still depend on the measurement chain, calibration, settings and conditions; the software does not replace required certification.
• Con: Desktop Pro and Pro + Cloud prices are custom pricing, and the iPad app costs separately.
• Con: Cloud data has a defined end-of-subscription lifecycle: after six months viewable and six more hidden, it is deleted if the subscription is not renewed.

Alternatives

Audio Analysis Software is the broader category for comparing tools. Consider MediaInfo instead if you want free, open-source digital media analysis across desktop, mobile, web and self-hosted platforms. Open Audio Analyzer is another free option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.

For a narrower real-time spectrum-analyzer plug-in on macOS or Windows, choose Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst or Voxengo SPAN; both are free. Dusk Audio Spectrum Analyzer is also free for Linux, macOS and Windows. MeldaProduction MAnalyzer is a free macOS and Windows effect included in MFreeFXBundle.

Praat is free software for Linux, macOS and Windows. If room and audio measurement with a real-time analyzer and EQ tools is the priority, Room EQ Wizard offers a free plan with single-channel capture and a separately priced Pro upgrade.

Verdict

Choose Open Sound Meter if you need a broad desktop measurement toolkit with reusable projects and measurement sharing, and can manage the calibration and conditions on which its results depend. Its free Community plan is a practical entry point; look elsewhere if you need certified results from software alone, or a simpler analyzer for a narrower task.