A loudness meter measures how loud your song is, in numbers. It helps you check that a song is not too quiet or too loud on YouTube or streaming services. Checking the numbers with a free meter, not only by ear, already prevents many mistakes. This page compares 2 free loudness meters offered by their makers (Youlean Loudness Meter, MLoudnessAnalyzer) using official information only.
Disclosure: this site uses affiliate programs. The fact that each product is free, and its features and formats, were checked on the makers’ official pages around 2026-10-16. Terms of distribution can change, so please check the official page before you download.
The short answer: which one?
- Youlean Loudness Meter (rank A): People who want to start measuring streaming loudness for free.
- MLoudnessAnalyzer (rank C): People who only need the basic loudness numbers for free.
Free loudness meters compared
| Product | Rank | Streaming checks | Measurable values | Finding problems | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youlean Loudness Meter | A | Streaming presets | All four | Dynamics | Check the official page |
| MLoudnessAnalyzer | C | Measures only | LUFS, LRA | None | Check the official page |
Ranks use the same criteria as paid products in the same category (scored from the makers’ official information only). How scores and ranks are decided is explained in How we rate.
What to look at
- Streaming checks: Whether you can check against the targets of streaming services
- Measurable values: How many of loudness, loudness range, true peak and PLR or dynamic range it can measure
- Finding problems: Analysis and advice beyond volume
Youlean Loudness Meter (Youlean) | Rank A
A meter that measures how loud a song feels (loudness) according to ITU-R BS.1770. Even the free version shows loudness, true peak, loudness range, PLR and dynamic range. The PRO version adds presets for streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube, a dynamics graph and drag-and-drop file analysis.
- Streaming checks: The PRO version has presets for services such as Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music (the free version has broadcast-standard presets only).
- Measurable values: It shows loudness, true peak, loudness range, PLR and dynamic range (the same in the free version).
- Finding problems: The dynamic range helps you spot an over-squashed mix. The PRO version also shows a dynamics graph.
Who it is for: People who want to start measuring streaming loudness for free.
Score 4.0 / 5 (average of the 10 products compared: 3.6)
- Price
- Free
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Streaming checks
- Streaming presets
- Measurable values
- All four
- Finding problems
- Dynamics
- Price (store, date)
- $39 (sale; regular $49) [Official, checked Oct 26]
Get it: Youlean official site (free)
MLoudnessAnalyzer (MeldaProduction) | Rank C
A loudness meter based on EBU R128 and ITU-R BS.1770-3. It shows a peak meter, momentary, short-term and integrated loudness, and loudness range.
- Streaming checks: It measures numbers according to EBU R128 and ITU-R BS.1770-3.
- Measurable values: It measures momentary, short-term and integrated loudness and loudness range. A peak meter is included.
- Finding problems: There is no analysis other than loudness.
Who it is for: People who only need the basic loudness numbers for free.
Score 2.3 / 5 (average of the 10 products compared: 3.6)
- Price
- Free
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Streaming checks
- Measures only
- Measurable values
- LUFS, LRA
- Finding problems
- None
- Price (store, date)
- Not listed
Get it: MeldaProduction official site (free)
Tips for using free loudness meters
- Each streaming service has its own reference loudness. Check the reference for where you will release.
- Look at the integrated loudness (the average of the whole song) and the true peak (the loudest moment).
- Play the song from start to end when measuring. A short section does not give a stable number.
- Keep notes of the numbers so that the loudness of different songs is easy to match.
When to move to a paid one
When you want to keep a history across songs or compare against service references in one list, it is time to consider a paid meter. For a comparison including paid products, with ranks on the same criteria, see Loudness meter plug-ins compared.
From download to first use
- Open the product page on the maker’s official site and press the download button. You may be asked to register an email address or create an account.
- Choose the installer for your computer (Windows or Mac) and download it.
- Run the installer. Choose a plug-in format (VST3, AU, AAX and so on) that your DAW can load.
- Open your DAW and rescan plug-ins.
- Load the plug-in on a track insert (the place where effects are placed) and start using it.
Always download free plug-ins from the maker’s official site. Files on third-party download sites may be old or altered.
FAQ
Q. What is loudness?
A number for how loud a sound feels to people, in LUFS. Streaming services level songs to a reference, so a song louder than the reference gets turned down.
Q. What number should I aim for?
It differs by service. Check each service’s official guidance for where you release. Do not chase numbers alone; check how it sounds too.
Q. How do free and paid loudness meters differ?
It depends on the product, but paid products tend to have more automatic suggestions and finer controls. A comparison that includes paid products is in Loudness meter plug-ins compared.
Q. What should I check before installing?
Check that your DAW can load the plug-in format (VST3, AU, AAX and so on). Some makers require an email address or an account.
To see free plug-ins across categories, see Free plug-ins for music production.
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