# Tempo vs PolyTune

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tempo | PolyTune |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-metronome-with-setlist/id304731501/reviews)** | [2.8 (80 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polytune/id364009203/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | 80 |
| Positive reviews | **83.9% of reviews** | 65.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 40 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304731504) | [TC Electronic](https://appshunter.io/developer/364009206) |

## What reviewers say

### Tempo

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

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Paid · Music, #122 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


### PolyTune

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polytune/id364009203)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch
- Unable to detect or tune certain strings
- Inaccurate tuning readings

**Requested features**

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


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