How fancy of a metronome do you really need?
As long as it keeps steady time, it is good enough… right?
That might have been true for a traditional metronome, but today’s best metronome apps offer far more than a simple click. Modern metronome apps include advanced features that can dramatically improve your practice sessions, from tempo training and subdivisions to playlists and full practice toolkits.
I downloaded dozens of metronome apps to find which ones are actually worth using and which ones just look good in the app store.
Below are the best metronome apps I tested, with honest pros, cons, and ratings.
Metronome by Soundbrenner
The Metronome by Soundbrenner app is designed to be used with a Soundbrenner Bluetooth wearable, but the app works great as a stand-alone digital metronome.
What I love:
The design is clean and modern, and the metronome supports a huge range of tempos, time signatures, and subdivisions. There is also a feature that allows you to create a song playlist and assign tempo and subdivision combinations for each song. This feels especially useful for drummers practicing full sets or musicians working through larger pieces in sections.
What I dislike:
The volume and pitch of the accented beat isn’t loud enough and can be hard to hear while practicing. There is a visual strobe for each beat, but on my device it didn’t line up perfectly with the click, which was a little confusing. Adjusting the tempo with the dial also felt more cumbersome than it needed to be.
Store Rating: 4.6 / 5
Price: Free
My Rating: 4 / 5
Metronome Beats
What makes Metronome Beats by Stonekick unique is its tempo trainer feature. The tempo trainer allows you to program measures where the tempo accelerates or slows down at set intervals. The app can also automatically turn the metronome off after a specified number of measures.
What I love:
There are some genuinely interesting features here. The interface is easy to use—you can adjust tempo quickly with a slider, and tapping the colored lights lets you change beat emphasis or silence specific beats. The app displays both beats per minute and the corresponding tempo marking as you adjust tempos, which is a nice educational touch.
What I dislike:
There is a serious lack of subdivision functionality, which I consider critical for any metronome app. On top of that, the ads are relentless. Beyond banner ads, many features require payment or downloading a second app to unlock them. With so many better metronome apps available, this was frustrating.
Store Rating: 4.6 / 5
Price: Free (with ads), Pro version removes ads
My Rating: 2 / 5
Pro Metronome
Pro Metronome by EUMLab is packed with features—almost to the point of being overwhelming. That said, the developers do a good job organizing everything in a clean, modern interface.
What I love:
The sheer number of features. You can change the metronome sound, tap in tempos, use complex subdivisions, load playlists, and create tempo-changing practice programs. Beginners may not need all of this, but for advanced musicians, this is a powerful metronome app.
What I dislike:
The app heavily pushes you toward the paid version. Locking advanced features behind a paywall is understandable, but requiring an upgrade just to use subdivisions feels excessive. Subdivisions are basic, essential functionality for any metronome.
Store Rating: 4 / 5
Price: Free version available, Pro version is $2.99
My Rating: 3 / 5
Tonal Energy
I had high expectations for Tonal Energy. It was one of the few metronome apps without a free version, and several musician friends strongly recommended it.
Tonal Energy is much more than a metronome. It includes a tuner, drone, sound wave analyzer, and several other tools designed to help you practice more efficiently. The metronome itself supports tempo changes, subdivisions, time signatures, and a wide variety of sounds.
Overall, I was not disappointed. This is an excellent option for serious music students.
What I love:
The advanced feature set and the wide variety of metronome sounds, including drum machine and human voice options.
What I dislike:
It isn’t free. While the price is reasonable, I generally prefer student tools that don’t sit behind a paywall. My bigger issue is the interface—some things feel slightly cluttered, and the design comes across as a little corny.
Store Rating: 4.6 / 5
Price: $3.99
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
Dr. Betotte
Dr. Betotte is easily the most complex and sophisticated digital metronome on this list. It offers more customization options than most musicians will ever need, including advanced polyrhythms and custom sound samples.
What I love:
The level of control is unmatched. You can save intricate rhythmic setups and even build chord progressions to play along with the metronome. This is incredibly useful for practicing time and intonation simultaneously.
What I dislike:
The complexity. What makes this app powerful also makes it intimidating. This is not a great choice for younger students, and even experienced musicians may find it overwhelming. It’s also one of the most expensive metronome apps available.
Store Rating: 4.7 / 5
Price: $9.99
My Rating: 4 / 5
Metronome Plus
Metronome Plus started as a simple metronome and has since expanded into a broader practice tool, adding features like a tuner, recording, and a drone.
What I love:
The interface is extremely simple and intuitive. You can use the tuner and metronome at the same time without switching apps, and the app can run in the background—perfect if you use an iPad for sheet music.
What I dislike:
As with many freemium metronome apps, advanced features require payment. While there are customization options, they don’t always save between practice sessions, which can be annoying.
Store Rating: 4.5 / 5
Price: Free with paid upgrades
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
Tempo Advance
Tempo Advance is marketed as being “approved and used by Mike Mangini,” the drummer of Dream Theater. If you’re interested in polyrhythms, that endorsement matters.
What I love:
This app handles complex time signatures exceptionally well. Unlike other metronomes that simply support odd meters, Tempo Advance allows you to emphasize groupings like 3+2+2 or 2+3+2, which is invaluable for advanced rhythmic practice.
What I dislike:
The free version is extremely ad-heavy. Ads are placed directly in the center of the metronome display, making it difficult to use without upgrading.
Store Rating: 4.8 / 5
Price: Free (Lite), $1.49 for Advance version
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
Best Metronome Apps: Quick Comparison
If you’re trying to decide which of these metronome apps is right for you, here’s a quick way to think about it:
| Category | Best Metronome App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best free metronome app | Metronome by Soundbrenner | Ad-free, clean design, supports tempos, time signatures, and subdivisions |
| Best all-in-one practice app | Tonal Energy | Combines metronome, tuner, drone, and analysis tools in one app |
| Best for advanced rhythms & polyrhythms | Dr. Betotte | Extremely deep customization, polyrhythms, and saved configurations |
| Best for odd meters & beat groupings | Tempo Advance | Supports emphasized groupings like 3+2+2 and 2+3+2 |
| Best simple metronome with extras | Metronome Plus | Easy to use with tuner, recording, and background playback |
| Best for tempo training | Metronome Beats | Built-in tempo trainer for gradual speed changes (limited by ads & features) |
My Pick for the Best Metronome App
For a simple, ad-free metronome app that works well on both Android and iOS, my top pick is Metronome by Soundbrenner. It’s easy to use and gets out of the way so you can focus on practicing.
If you’re looking for a paid metronome app with the most complete practice toolkit, Tonal Energy is hard to beat. It covers everything you’ll need during a serious practice session and then some.