Tempo vs Simple Sets
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
Simple Sets
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Simple Sets — Setlist Maker & Songbook Manager The setlist app built for practice and performance. Organize your songs, view lyrics and chords, and perform with confidence — all fully offline. Built for the Stage Pull up any song in seconds during a live show. Lyrics and chords appear in a clean, full‑screen layout optimized for low light. Navigate pages with a tap, swipe, or Bluetooth foot pedal. Enable auto‑scroll when you need hands‑free performance. Changing keys at soundcheck? Transpose instantly and save the new key with one tap. Chord Support Included Import ChordPro files or plain‑text lyrics with chords above the words — Simple Sets detects and converts them automatically. Guitar and piano chord diagrams appear inline so you never have to search mid‑show. Your Songs, Your Way Customize fonts, text size, colors, and spacing per song. Set individual scroll speeds. Use dual‑view mode on tablets to see two sections at once. Print full setlists with lyrics or chords in just a couple of taps. Everything in One Place • Song library with search and alphabetical browsing • Drag‑and‑drop setlist builder • Reorder songs anytime — even during a set • Built‑in metronome with tap tempo • Share songs or full setlists as .simpleset files • Full backup and restore across devices Try Before You Buy Use Simple Sets free for up to 15 songs and 3 setlists. Test your library, layouts, and Bluetooth pedals with no commitment. Unlock the Full Experience A single one‑time purchase removes all limits and adds cloud features: • Unlimited songs and setlists • Google Drive backup and sync • No subscriptions, no ads, no accounts — buy once, own it forever Simple Sets supports you whether you're practicing at home, gigging this weekend, or leading worship on Sunday morning.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Simple Sets at Free against Tempo's $2.99. Simple Sets also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months). Tempo's advantage is chart position (#17 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
Simple Sets is free to download; Tempo costs $2.99 up front. Tempo sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Simple Sets sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Tempo ships an update every 3 months, Simple Sets every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tempo | Simple Sets |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (4.9K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.9K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #17 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd. | Kyle Palmer |
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
Simple Sets
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Tempo
- Theme Editor$0.99
- Premium Theme Pack$0.99
Simple Sets
- Simple Sets Premium$6.99
Questions
Is Tempo free?
Is Simple Sets free?
Do Tempo or Simple Sets have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tempo or Simple Sets?
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