Comparison

Tempo vs Pluck

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

Pluck

Experience a realistic string plucking simulator. Draw your own strings to create unique songs or listen to classical pieces played automatically. Discover the natural feel for yourself.

Highlights
  • String plucking simulation
  • Draw custom strings
  • Compose original songs
  • Listen to classical music
  • Self-playing strings
  • Natural feel
Features
Read full description

A string plucking simulator with a natural feel. You have to try it yourself to see. Draw strings & pluck your own songs, or enjoy classical music on self-playing strings.

Screenshots

Tempo4 screens
Pluck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tempo at 84% against Pluck's 33%. Tempo also leads on ratings volume (4.9K vs 8) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Pluck's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (daily vs every 3 months). On ads, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement 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 Pluck $3.99 up front. Tempo sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Pluck asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tempo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tempo has 4.9K ratings behind it against 8, 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 33% of Pluck's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempo ships an update every 3 months, Pluck daily. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Tempo versus Pluck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempoPluck
Price$2.99 — better$3.99
Rating4.8 (4.9K ratings) — better4.5 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews83.9% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings4.9K — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#22 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrozen Ape Pte. Ltd.Murat Ayfer

Customer experience

Tempo

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

Pluck

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral66.7%
Negative0.0%

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

Pluck

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Tempo

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

Pluck

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tempo free?
Tempo costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pluck free?
Pluck costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tempo or Pluck?
Tempo is rated higher. Tempo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while Pluck averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.
Do Tempo or Pluck have ads?
Neither Tempo nor Pluck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tempo or Pluck?
Tempo ships an update every 3 months, and Pluck daily. Most recently, Tempo was updated on November 1, 2026 and Pluck on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons