Comparison

Guitarist's Reference vs Polytactus Metronome

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

Head to head
About

Guitarist's Reference

This comprehensive suite offers a vast collection of guitar chords, scales, and arpeggios with clear diagrams and detailed theory. It includes tools for finding chord-scale relationships, exploring alternate tunings, and even a virtual guitar for practice.

Highlights
  • 3000+ guitar chords with diagrams
  • 42 scale types including modes and pentatonics
  • Arpeggio finder
  • 36 alternate tunings
  • Chord-scale relationship guide
  • Virtual guitar
  • Guitar tuner
Features
Read full description

Introducing the Ultimate Guitarist's Companion - Your All-in-One Solution for Mastering the Fretboard: - Comprehensive Package: Elevate your guitar journey with an all-encompassing suite of tools and knowledge. Explore Guitar Chords, Chord Progressions, Scales, Triads, Arpeggios, Fretboard Note Mastery, Reverse Chord & Scale Finder, Chord Quizzes, Alternate Tunings, Guitar Tuner, Virtual Guitar and the intricate web of Chord-Scale Relationships. - Guitar Chord Encyclopedia: Unleash the potential of over 3000 commonly used guitar chords. Dive into chord theory and find clarity through easy-reference diagrams. Test your prowess with the Chord Quiz feature – a true test of your skills. - Mastering Guitar Scales: Demystify the realm of guitar scales fearlessly. From the basics to the sublime, our comprehensive scale reference transforms your fretboard knowledge. With 42 scale types spanning major, minor, pentatonic, modes, and more, you'll command all keys with confidence. - Unveiling Chord-Scale Relationships: Say goodbye to chord change anxiety. Our guide deciphers the intricate dance between chords and scales. Elevate your playing by understanding which scales harmonize with each chord, empowering you to navigate complex progressions effortlessly. - Modern Guitarist's Arpeggios: Seamlessly locate any arpeggio, regardless of your reading ability. Presented in intuitive diagram form, this feature benefits both beginners seeking structured guidance and professionals requiring arpeggio references for any musical scenario. - Alternate Tunings Explored: Dive deep into 36 of the most popular alternate tunings, expanding your creative horizons. Whether you're in Standard or Alternate Tuning, access Scales, Arpeggios, and Fretboard Notes effortlessly. Guitar Tuner: Our improved tuning feature now allows you to tune your guitar by ear across a wide range of preset alternate tunings. - Reverse Chord/Scale Finder Tool: Transform your musical ideas into named chords/scales effortlessly. Struggling to name a chord/scale you've crafted? This ingenious tool deciphers your fretboard inputs, revealing the chord/scale's identity. - Virtual Guitar: Immerse yourself in the guitar-playing experience right from your device. Our virtual guitar feature enables you to strum, pluck, and navigate the fretboard with a variety of alternate tunings. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner, this feature provides a platform for practice, chord and scale experimentation, and the joy of guitar sounds without requiring a physical instrument. Take hold of virtual strings and let your musical creativity flow. Experience an unparalleled guitar journey, where knowledge meets practice in perfect harmony. Unleash your true potential with our All-in-One Guitarist's Package.

About

Polytactus Metronome

Features
Read full description

Polytactus Metronome is a precision metronome built around one idea: hear every layer of the beat at once. MIX YOUR SUBDIVISIONS Six independent click tracks — accent, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, triplet, and a free n-tuplet (2–16) — each with its own volume slider and tone. Blend quarters with triplets, add a 5-tuplet on top, or isolate just the accents. Your rhythm, your mix. BUILT FOR REAL PRACTICE • Tempo 30–300 BPM: dial, ± buttons, direct number entry, or tap tempo • Time signatures from 1/2 to 16/16, with automatic compound-meter accent grouping • A/B alternation: assign each track to A beats, B beats, or both to build alternating patterns • Count-in and auto-stop after a set number of bars • Visual mode: a swinging needle and screen-edge pulse you can follow with sound off CLEAN, FAST, YOURS • Full-screen layout in portrait and landscape, on iPhone and iPad • Interactive tutorial that walks you through every control • Light / dark themes and custom accent colors • All click tones are synthesized in-app — no samples, instant start • Optional haptic feedback, controlled in Settings • Keeps clicking in the background while you use other apps ONE PURCHASE, EVERYTHING INCLUDED No ads. No subscriptions. No in-app purchases. Buy once, practice forever.

Screenshots

Guitarist's Reference4 screens
Polytactus Metronome2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Polytactus Metronome at $1.99 against Guitarist's Reference's $19.99. Polytactus Metronome also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). Guitarist's Reference's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On ads and in-app purchases 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

Guitarist's Reference costs $19.99 and Polytactus Metronome $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Guitarist's Reference ships an update every 3 weeks, Polytactus Metronome daily. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Guitarist's Reference versus Polytactus Metronome: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGuitarist's ReferencePolytactus Metronome
Price$19.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMy App Catalog LLCJumpei Yamaguchi

Bugs and requests

Guitarist's Reference

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Chord finder not detecting all chord inversions
  • Issues with alternate tuning functionality
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to overlay multiple scales
  • Customizable chord/scale display options
  • Integrated tuner functionality
  • Support for more alternate tunings
  • Improved chord/scale audio playback

Polytactus Metronome

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Guitarist's Reference

No in-app purchases

None

Polytactus Metronome

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Guitarist's Reference free?
Guitarist's Reference costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polytactus Metronome free?
Polytactus Metronome costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Guitarist's Reference or Polytactus Metronome have ads?
Neither Guitarist's Reference nor Polytactus Metronome shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Guitarist's Reference or Polytactus Metronome?
Guitarist's Reference ships an update every 3 weeks, and Polytactus Metronome daily. Most recently, Guitarist's Reference was updated on October 17, 2026 and Polytactus Metronome on September 30, 2026.

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