Comparison

Drum Chart Builder vs Tempo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Drum Chart Builder

Create professional drum charts and setlists quickly for gigs, sessions, and practice. Organize your music with a searchable library and access a playable drum pattern library. Offers a free trial of premium features.

Highlights
  • Build one-page drum charts
  • Create and edit setlists
  • Playable drum pattern library
  • Export charts as PDFs
  • Organized dashboard
  • Metronome and tempo click
  • Dark and light modes
Features
Read full description

Build drum charts in minutes—not hours.
Create clean, simple drum charts for gigs, rehearsals, and sessions fast—no complex notation required. Drum Chart Builder helps drummers stay organized, show up prepared, and play with confidence every time they sit behind the kit. Drum Chart Builder helps you quickly map song form, grooves, and hits so you can walk into any rehearsal or gig prepared and confident. * Works on all devices. * All your drum charts and setlists stay perfectly in sync across every device. * Works online and offline no matter where you are. * Create your charts on your computer and take your iPad to your gig. This app was designed by professional drummer Liz Ficalora the author of How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart. She took her book and made it into an app. * Build a full chart in under 20 minutes * Simple, one-page charting template * Quickly map out song sections and structure * Organize setlists for live gigs * Use ready-made drum patterns (or create your own) * No advanced drum notation needed * View charts one by one from your setlist. * Export clean, one-page charts pdf’s Made for Real-World Playing * Use charts during gigs and rehearsals * Stay locked in with your setlist * See what’s coming next in every song * Reduce stress and play with confidence Stay Organized * Keep all your drum charts in one place * Instantly search your song library * Manage setlists for performances * Access charts anytime on phone or tablet Powerful Drum Tools * Built-in drum pattern library * Create and save custom patterns * Insert figure library to add fills, hits, and cues * Export charts as PDFs * Share charts with your band Perfect For * Gigging drummers * Worship musicians * Session players * Music Educators * Pit musicians * Studio Players * Drum students PRICING Enjoy a 7-day free trial!
Try all premium features free for 7 days—no commitment required. What happens after the trial?
 Once your 7-day trial ends, you can choose what’s best for you: * Stay free: Continue using the app with limited features at no cost. * Go Standard or Professional: Unlock full access with a subscription plan. Your subscription will automatically begin unless canceled at least 24 hours before the trial ends. The payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the selected subscription rate. * You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your App Store account settings. FREE PLAN - Includes a Sample Chart and Setlist
 You can Receive Shared Charts For Viewing Only STANDARD - Create & Edit Charts and Setlists. 
 You Can Receive Shared Charts and Edit $8.99 Per Month $49.99 Per Year PROFESSIONAL - Create & Edit Charts and Setlists. You Can Share and Receive Shared Charts and Edit $12.99 Per Month $69.99 Per Year SKILL LEVEL Beginner to Professional Drummers and Musicians If you can count out the measures in a song, this method is for you. Beginners, count out the song form so you can make a map of the song. Pro's, map out the song and add simple one and two bar patterns for the groove. Save time, keep organized and build a simple drum chart in 20 minutes. CONTACT https://drumchartbuilder.com/contact HOW TO VIDEOS Youtube https://www.youtube.com/drumchartbuilder Support Page https://new.drumchartbuilder.com/support/ CONNECT WITH US Website: https://drumchartbuilder.com
 Drum Chart Store: https://easydrumchart.com Follow for tips, updates, and tutorials:
 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drumchartbuilder
 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drumchartbuilder
 Facebook: https://facebook.com/drumchartbuilder TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizficalora Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Visit https://www.drumchartbuilder.com for more info.

About

Tempo

Features
Read full description

The fastest way to write and save drum notation. Capture the bar you keep coming back to. Every drummer has that one part. The one that slows you down. The one you repeat over and over. Tempo lets you pull it out, keep it with you, and actually nail it. Built for real practice - Quickly input drum notation (including cymbals) - Save bars for later - Export and share as clean images - Play back and hear what you've written - Follow along for that consistent practice experience Perfect for: - Drummers working through tricky sections - Teachers sharing bite-sized exercises - Capturing ideas without friction No clutter. No learning curve. No timelines. No full compositions. Just fast, focused notation when you need it. Terms and conditions for Tempo Premium: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Drum Chart Builder4 screens
Tempo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Tempo at every 5 days against Drum Chart Builder's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Drum Chart Builder sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Tempo sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drum Chart Builder ships an update fortnightly, Tempo every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Drum Chart Builder versus Tempo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrum Chart BuilderTempo
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElizabeth FicaloraDean Hetherington

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Drum Chart Builder

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Std7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Monthly Pro7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Yearly Std7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$69.991 Year
1 purchases

Tempo

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Drum Chart Builder free?
Drum Chart Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Drum Chart Builder or Tempo have ads?
Neither Drum Chart Builder nor Tempo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drum Chart Builder or Tempo?
Drum Chart Builder ships an update fortnightly, and Tempo every 5 days. Most recently, Drum Chart Builder was updated on September 19, 2026 and Tempo on September 12, 2026.

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