# Tempo vs Drum Notation by Beat Note

The clearest difference is price: Drum Notation by Beat Note at Free against Tempo's $2.99. Drum Notation by Beat Note also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Tempo's advantage is ratings volume (4.9K vs 88) and chart position (#14 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Drum Notation by Beat Note is free to download; Tempo costs $2.99 up front. Tempo sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Drum Notation by Beat Note sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.69 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Tempo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tempo has 4.9K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Tempo's written reviews are positive against 83% of Drum Notation by Beat Note's.

Tempo ships an update every 3 months, Drum Notation by Beat Note every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tempo | Drum Notation by Beat Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-metronome-with-setlist/id304731501/reviews)** | [4.6 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | 88 |
| Positive reviews | **83.9% of reviews** | 82.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304731504) | [Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/945994325) |

## What reviewers say

### Tempo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-metronome-with-setlist/id304731501)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Paid · Music, #147 Top Paid (US App Store)

This highly accurate metronome app offers advanced features for musicians, including customizable time signatures, rhythm patterns, and visual feedback. It allows for the creation and management of setlists, automatic tempo adjustments, and integration with external controllers. The app also includes a pitch pipe and supports background playback.

**Highlights:** 35+ time signatures, Customizable rhythm patterns, Setlist creation and management, Automatic tempo adjustment, Visual and auditory feedback, External controller support, Pitch pipe

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Theme Editor | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Reliable and easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate and responsive
- 💡 Versatile with many features
- 🎨 Customizable interface
- ⏱️ Helpful for practice and performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes when trying to export/share setlists
- 🐛 Tempo dial glitches when adjusting quickly
- 🔊 Click volume too low for use with in-ear monitors
- 📱 No support for split-screen on iPad

**Reported bugs**

- Tap tempo not working on newer iPhones
- Metronome randomly stops during use
- Setlist management issues causing crashes

**Requested features**

- Add ability to reorder songs in setlists
- Implement Bluetooth sync between devices
- Include more click sound options
- Allow programming of tempo changes and time signature changes within a song


### Drum Notation by Beat Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475)

Create, practice, and share drum music notation with ease. This app transforms sequenced beats into professional sheet music, offering tools for composition, transcription, and interactive teaching. Enhance your drumming journey with customizable practice sessions and high-quality export options.

**Highlights:** Sequencer to notation conversion, Compose and transcribe drum beats, Customizable practice sessions, Interactive teaching tools, High-quality PDF and image export, Multiple notation voicing options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Educator Tier Monthly (No Trial) | $6.69 | per month |
| Creator Tier Monthly (No Trial) | $13.49 | per month |
| Educator Tier Annual (No Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| Educator Tier Annual + Free Trial | $59.99 | per year |
| Creator Tier Annual + Free Trial | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Quick and efficient notation
- 🎶 Great sound playback
- 💡 Excellent for teaching and learning
- ✍️ Simple to write exercises and ideas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 💸 High annual cost
- 🆓 Limited free version
- 🚫 No one-time purchase option
- 🤔 Subscription model makes little sense to some

**Reported bugs**

- Preview rarely matches notes on staff
- Sometimes doesn't play any notes
- Sounds not always appropriate for instrument voicing
- Editing measures is inconvenient
- Free trial charged immediately

**Requested features**

- 7/8 time signature support
- Syncing between devices
- Web version
- Native Mac/Windows apps
- Add text or notes to notations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tempo free?

Tempo costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Drum Notation by Beat Note free?

Drum Notation by Beat Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Tempo or Drum Notation by Beat Note?

Tempo is rated higher. Tempo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while Drum Notation by Beat Note averages 4.6 from 88 ratings.

### Do Tempo or Drum Notation by Beat Note have ads?

Neither Tempo nor Drum Notation by Beat Note shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tempo or Drum Notation by Beat Note?

Tempo ships an update every 3 months, and Drum Notation by Beat Note every 9 days. Most recently, Tempo was updated on October 29, 2026 and Drum Notation by Beat Note on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*