The Gnome vs metrOnly
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Gnome
This app is a powerful practice and rehearsal tool designed to improve rhythmic accuracy and technique. It offers advanced features like polyrhythm generation, customizable sound sets, and pattern sequencing for detailed click track creation. Users can also experiment with rhythmic feels and receive real-time feedback on their timing.
- Process-oriented rhythmic practice
- Flexible click track creation
- Polyrhythm generation with 4 channels
- Customizable sound sets and beep generation
- Step sequencer for rhythmic patterns
- Real-time timing accuracy feedback
- Tempo and time automation
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The Gnome is a powerful practice and rehearsal tool. The Gnome provides process-oriented features that help strengthen your internal pulse, refine your sense of rhythmic feel, and build technique. You can also use The Gnome to build click tracks with flexible meter representation, full tempo automation, and scalable playback speed. - The simple Home Screen provides easy access to the most basic Gnome functions. If you just need a basic metronome, you’ll find it here. - The intuitive, DAW-like Mixer screen includes four channels that can each be assigned to a different rhythmic rate (subdivision), making it a snap to subdivide a beat, or generate polyrhythms. - The intermittent clicks feature allows The Gnome to play for a number of counts, and then rest in silence for a number of counts. You can also easily alternate back and forth between two Gnome channels, making it extremely easy to practice switching between two different rhythmic subdivisions (triplets to sixteenths, for instance). - The Sound Set Editor allows you to assign each of the four channels one or more of the over 250 sounds from the built-in Sound Library, or any sound file(s) you share to the app. You can even generate your own customized beep sounds with assignable frequency, waveform, and simple envelope settings (fade-in, length, fade-out). The sonic possibilities of The Gnome are virtually limitless. - The Pattern Editor is a simple yet powerful step sequencer that allows each channel of The Gnome to play rhythmic patterns. There are 32 patterns available to each of the four Gnome channels, and each 'step' of a pattern can be assigned to a specific sound in that channel's Sound Set, as well as its own dynamic level. - The Meter Builder allows you to quickly create Gnome patterns to represent common time signatures. - The Pattern Sequencer allows you to combine a channel’s 32 patterns in any order you wish. The “Global Pattern Sequencer” on Channel 1 allows for the creation of full click tracks with automated and fully scalable tempo changes, and is capable of triggering patterns on the other channels through the “Pattern Link” feature. The Pattern Sequencer is designed to be usable in individual practice as well as ensemble rehearsals. - The innovative Groove Editor allows you to define precise rhythmic feels by altering the proportions of the subdivisions within a beat. Add a touch of shuffle to a rhythm, explore rhythmic feels from around the world, or use the Groove Editor as a springboard for rhythmic experimentation. - The fun and unique Timing Gauge uses the microphone to assess the user's rhythmic accuracy, providing realtime visual and statistical feedback on your rhythmic tendencies. Quick calibration and customizable settings ensure accurate and meaningful readings. - The Tempo Ramp provides simple tempo and time automation. In Continuous Mode, you can gradually speed up toward a 'peak' tempo, hold that tempo for a specified length of time (measured in either seconds, or beats) and then slow back down to the starting tempo. In Stair Step mode, The Gnome will hold the specified tempo for the specified amount of time (again, measured in seconds or beats) and then increment toward a goal tempo or time. - It is easy to save and organize Gnome Preset files, so any settings you wish can be recalled with one tap. Create a series of practice routines, settings for different exercises or pieces, or even create presets for your students. Presets can be shared very easily. The Gnome also features an audio export function, making it possible to generate .m4a or .wav files of the app’s audio output. - The Gnome features a built-in contextual help system, providing instant access to full documentation simply by swiping inward from the left side of the screen. The help system always provides documentation for the screen you are currently viewing, so you can always learn more about any feature of the app on-demand.
metrOnly
This metronome app provides perfectly timed clicks without distracting features like accents or blinking lights. It offers tempo adjustments from 10-500 bpm and includes accessibility options for ease of use. Designed for focused practice, it aims to be a simple and effective tool for musicians.
- Perfectly timed clicks
- No distracting features
- Tempo range 10-500 bpm
- Intuitive tempo adjustment
- Accessibility options
- Customization features
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A metronome for musicians who hear better when the screen is quiet. metrOnly gives you precise time without accents, flashing lights, time signatures, or menus competing for your attention. Drag anywhere to change tempo from 10 to 500 BPM. Feel each number click into place. Tap the tempo to enter an exact value. Press one button to start. Choose from 19 carefully prepared click sounds, including woodblocks, sticks, rims, hats, snaps, and percussion. Set an optional practice timer, keep the click running in the background, and focus on the music. No clutter. Just time. New users need an auto-renewing subscription after onboarding. Weekly, monthly, and annual plans are available. Eligible customers can try the annual plan free for 7 days. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel your subscription in Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.sprinworld.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: metrOnly at Free against The Gnome's $4.99. The Gnome's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 20 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
metrOnly is free to download; The Gnome costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
The Gnome holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 4 respectively.
The Gnome ships an update every 2 months, metrOnly every 20 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | The Gnome | metrOnly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 20 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 116 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brian Mueller | Austin Danson |
Customer experience
The Gnome
metrOnly
In-app purchases
The Gnome
No in-app purchases
metrOnly
No in-app purchases









