Tempo vs iStroboSoft
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tempo
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.
- 35+ time signatures
- Customizable rhythm patterns
- Setlist creation and management
- Automatic tempo adjustment
- Visual and auditory feedback
- External controller support
- Pitch pipe
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Tempo is the bestselling and most accurate metronome on the App Store. Featured as "New and Noteworthy" and "Staff Favorite" by Apple on the main iTunes landing page. If you'll like to try Tempo out before purchasing, download Tempo Lite for free now. Ever since its release, Tempo has been consistently in the top 100 of the Music category in over 30 countries, and the top paid metronome app in most countries. Tempo's engine is written from the ground up for high accuracy and stability. It keeps going even in device lock mode, making it a useful aid for live drumming. Tempo features an innovative interface that morphs between modes that each presents a different combination of functionalities optimized for the task at hand. Five modes are available on the iPhone: Basic, Preset, Setlist, Practice and Gig. On the iPad, Preset, Gig and Complete modes are available, the last providing access to all controls. Visit www.frozenape.com for demo videos. Features Summary Configuration • 35 different time signatures, including compound and complex meters: 1-13/2, 1-13/4, 3/8, 5/8(2 variations), 6/8, 7/8(3 variations), 9/8, 12/8 • 6 rhythm patterns for simple meters and 3 for compound meters • Customize accents or turn beats off to create more complex rhythms • Tap tempo function • Tempo ranges from 10 to 800 Display • Visual feedback in the form of pulsating LEDs • Two pendulum types, each with two animation types • Flash whole screen • Fullscreen display mode with gesture controls Setlists • Store presets in multiple setlists • Advanced setlist management including search, overwriting, copying between setlists and multi-deletion • Quick editing • Share setlists via email • Backup via iTunes File Sharing Tracker and Automator • Track number of bars played or time your practice • Stop playback automatically when limit reached • Up to 2 bars of voice count in • Automatic adjustment of tempo every n number of bars or n amount of time • Loop and auto advance through setlists • Coach Mode alternates between unmuted and muted bars Sound • Choose from 14 sound sets, including one optimized for live drumming click tracks • Voice counting • Vibration mode • Pan audio left, right or centered • Volume control and mute button Control • Control setlists, tempo and playback with AirTurn, iRig BlueBoard, PageFlip Cicada, headphones remote and other accessories • Assign action to proximity sensor trigger Miscellaneous • Classical metronome and Italian tempo markings • Pitch pipe for playback of all 12 chromatic pitches (calibration from A = 414 to 466 Hz) • Multi-tasking support: plays in background, with audio from other apps • Four color themes • Theme Editor to create unlimited custom themes
iStroboSoft
This application provides highly accurate tuning for musical instruments, offering professional-grade precision with a real-time strobe display. It supports various tuning modes, temperaments, and input methods, making it suitable for both acoustic and electric instruments.
- 1/10th cent accuracy
- Real-time strobe display
- Guided Mode Tuning
- 12 Temperaments with adjustable root
- Assisted Low Note Detection
- Drop/Capo mode
- Adjustable Concert A
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Usage questions? ***Please contact us before posting an issue in the reviews.*** Peterson Support at info@strobosoft.com or call 708.388.3311 M-F 8am-5pm (CST) TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS FOR OVER 70 YEARS. ---iStroboSoft for iOS--- Peterson Strobe Tuners' popular StroboSoft tuning application for iPhone and iPad. iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in and tune your electrics and acoustics quickly and easily with 1/10th cent accuracy. Peterson Tuners has offered tuning solutions for over 70 years and is the only company specializing in hardware and software tuning products for all levels of musicians. FEATURES: • Stand-by mode to reduce battery usage or freeze the display. • Guided Mode Tuning offers an alternate strobe display that slows the strobe bands one-by-one as you come closer to tune. • Speed control for strobe display; dampen the response for a longer note display. • 12 Temperaments with adjustable root control. • Display all sharps note display. • Assisted Low Note Detection (ALND) helps capture very low frequencies. • Mains hum filter option reduces the chances of the tuner latching on to 50 or 60Hz cycle hum when using a direct line-in connection or while using the app during device charging. • Smooth, real-time strobe display allows you to achieve an unmatched level of accuracy. • Note/Octave window displays the correct note and octave for the note being tuned. • Cents display allows you to see how far out of tune your note is in cent values. • Tune in auto or manual mode. • Toggle the display to show: cents, Hz, MIDI note value for the note being tuned. • Glowing flat/sharp indicators assist when tuning a note very far from the target position. • Noise filter: Use the noise filter when utilizing an external mic or clip-on tuning device to help reduce the effect of extraneous environmental noise during tuning. • Input boost: The input boost will raise all input frequencies by +24dB. • Calibration mode: iStroboSoft can be calibrated to an external source guaranteeing 1/10th cent accuracy. • Drop/Capo mode: iStroboSoft will auto-transpose notes up or down to one full octave. • Adjustable Concert A: Change the Concert A reference of the tuner to accommodate tuning to a fixed instrument, such as a piano, or tune instruments that do not utilize the typical Western A440 reference. • Full screen mode permits the strobe display to be maximized on screen to allow better viewing from a distance. • Change strobe display colors to accommodate different lighting environments or set a preferred user color for those with limited color palette recognition. Use the built-in mic on your device for tuning or connect directly via the headphone jack using an approved adaptor cable or interface. Devices without a headphone jack can connect a pickup or mic using the lightning-to-audio adaptor. Support via email at: info@strobosoft.com or call 708.388.3311 M-F 8am-5pm (CST)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Tempo at 4.8 against iStroboSoft's 4.3. Tempo also leads on price ($2.99 vs $9.99) and ratings volume (4.9K vs 298). iStroboSoft's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position 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
Tempo costs $2.99 and iStroboSoft $9.99 up front. Tempo sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and iStroboSoft sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Tempo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tempo has 4.9K ratings behind it against 298, 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 76% of iStroboSoft's.
Tempo ships an update every 3 months, iStroboSoft fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tempo | iStroboSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (4.9K ratings) — better | 4.3 (298 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.9% of reviews — better | 75.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4.9K — better | 298 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #17 — better | #21 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd. | Peterson Tuners |
Customer experience
Tempo
iStroboSoft
User reviews
Tempo
From 4.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Reliable and easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate and responsive
- 💡 Versatile with many features
- 🎨 Customizable interface
- ⏱️ Helpful for practice and performance
Room to improve
- 🐛 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
iStroboSoft
From 298 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Extremely accurate
- 🔒 Reliable and stable
- 👍 Fantastic for instrument setup and intonation
- 👍 Portable and convenient
- 👍 Excellent value for the price
Room to improve
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for additional features
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance, jumps between notes
- 🐛 Struggles with low and high notes
- 🐛 Microphone input not always reliable
Bugs and requests
Tempo
Reported bugs
3 issues- Tap tempo not working on newer iPhones
- Metronome randomly stops during use
- Setlist management issues causing crashes
Requested features
4 requests- 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
iStroboSoft
Reported bugs
3 issues- App freezes or crashes on certain iOS versions
- Incorrect note detection on some instruments
- Display issues with newer iPhone/iPad models
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for more sweetened tunings and temperaments
- Improve display visibility and layout for newer devices
- Integrate with audio apps and allow routing through other apps
- Add Apple Watch app for quick tuning access
- Improve noise filtering and input sensitivity
In-app purchases
Tempo
- Theme Editor$0.99
- Premium Theme Pack$0.99
iStroboSoft
- Extended Frequency Modes$4.99
- Bluegrass Sweeteners$5.99
- Buzz Feiten Pack$5.99
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- Guitar & Bass Sweeteners$5.99
- Orchestral Sweeteners$5.99
- Tuning Tools$9.99
- Steel Guitar Sweeteners$14.99
- Harmonic Tuning$19.99
- Keyboard Sweeteners$19.99
- Full Discounted Upgrade Pack$59.99
Questions
Is Tempo free?
Is iStroboSoft free?
Which has better reviews, Tempo or iStroboSoft?
Do Tempo or iStroboSoft have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tempo or iStroboSoft?
Which is more popular, Tempo or iStroboSoft?
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