Comparison

Tempo vs PolyTune

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 35+ time signatures
  • Customizable rhythm patterns
  • Setlist creation and management
  • Automatic tempo adjustment
  • Visual and auditory feedback
  • External controller support
  • Pitch pipe
Features
Read full description

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

About

PolyTune

This application provides a powerful and accurate tuning tool for musicians. It allows for simultaneous tuning of all strings, supports various guitar and bass modes, and offers drop tunings. Its technology is based on a highly-regarded pedal tuner used by professionals.

Highlights
  • Tune all strings at once
  • Guitar/bass mode
  • Drop tunings support
  • Award-winning pedal technology
  • Chromatic tuning modes
  • High accuracy
Features
Read full description

It's the most powerful tool you've ever had in your pants! You know ... for tuning. That said, this is one of those nuggets on the App store you cannot afford to miss if you value being in tune and you take your smartphone with you when you go places. Yes to both? Then it's a no-brainer! - Tune all strings at once! Just strum your guitar, and see the pitch of all strings instantly. - Guitar/bass mode - Drop-tunings - 1:1 port of the award-winning PolyTune pedal (Guitar Player, Guitar World, Premier Guitar, MIPA, NAMM Best in Show 2010, etc.) - Based one the world’s best selling pedal tuner used by countless pros such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Orianthi and many more! PolyTune is the world's first polyphonic tuner that will have future guitarists wondering how we ever got by without it. The magic lies in a never before seen approach to tuning aimed at speed, accuracy and ease of use, which allows you to get in tune fast, and back to doing what you love: playing. The PolyTune iPhone app is a 1:1 port of the award-winning PolyTune pedal tuner, and PolyTune for iPhone delivers exactly the same features and tuning technology as the pedal version. The pedal version is the fastest way to tune on-stage, whereas the iPhone app is the fastest and most convenient way to tune off-stage. Specifications: - Reference pitch from 435Hz to 445Hz - Drop tuning from E-flat to B - 0.5 cent accuracy - 2 chromatic tuning modes: Needle and Stream - MonoPoly recognizes whether one or several strings are played at once

Screenshots

Tempo4 screens
PolyTune4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tempo at 4.8 against PolyTune's 2.8. Tempo also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 40 months) and ratings volume (4.9K vs 80). PolyTune's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tempo costs $2.99 and PolyTune $4.99 up front. Tempo sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. PolyTune asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tempo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tempo has 4.9K ratings behind it against 80, 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 66% of PolyTune's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempo ships an update every 3 months, PolyTune every 40 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Tempo versus PolyTune: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempoPolyTune
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.8 (4.9K ratings) — better2.8 (80 ratings)
Positive reviews83.9% of reviews — better65.7% of reviews
Number of ratings4.9K — better80
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 40 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrozen Ape Pte. Ltd.TC Electronic

Customer experience

Tempo

All ratings4,919 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,108 reviews
Positive83.9%
Neutral5.6%
Negative10.5%

PolyTune

All ratings79 ratings
Positive41.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative51.9%
Written reviews513 reviews
Positive65.7%
Neutral9.6%
Negative24.8%

User reviews

Tempo

From 4.9K App Store ratings

What 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

PolyTune

From 80 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🩵 Works really well
  • 💯 Accurate and precise
  • 🔢 Polyphonic tuning mode
  • 🎨 Customizable display colors
  • 🔌 Works with electric and acoustic guitars

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes or freezes on newer iOS versions
  • 🔇 Struggles to pick up low strings or in noisy environments
  • ⏱️ Screen dims during use
  • 🚫 No support for alternate/custom tunings
  • 💤 Drains battery quickly when running in background

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

PolyTune

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Unable to detect or tune certain strings
  • Inaccurate tuning readings

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for 432Hz tuning
  • Implement custom tuning options
  • Improve compatibility with external audio interfaces
  • Add a dedicated on/off switch

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Tempo

One-time2
  • Theme Editor$0.99
  • Premium Theme Pack$0.99
None

PolyTune

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tempo free?
Tempo costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PolyTune free?
PolyTune costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tempo or PolyTune?
Tempo is rated higher. Tempo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while PolyTune averages 2.8 from 80 ratings.
Do Tempo or PolyTune have ads?
Neither Tempo nor PolyTune shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tempo or PolyTune?
Tempo ships an update every 3 months, and PolyTune every 40 months. Most recently, Tempo was updated on November 8, 2026 and PolyTune on November 6, 2026.

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