Kello vs ClockMaster
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kello
This app analyzes the accuracy of mechanical watches by listening to their ticking sounds through your device's microphone. It compares the watch's rhythm to the precise system clock to reveal timekeeping differences. Supports a wide range of watch frequencies and offers guidance on identifying mechanical timepieces.
- Microphone-based watch sound analysis
- Comparison to iOS system clock
- Automatic detection of 8 common watch frequencies
- Guidance on identifying mechanical watches
- Displays timekeeping differences
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Kello analyzes the precision of mechanical watches against the iOS system clock using a microphone. How Kello works: All mechanically regulated watches are designed to start and stop 1000s of times every hour. A portion of the energy used during this starting and stopping motion is released as acoustic energy, resulting in an audible "tick-tock" sound. The regularity of this sound can be measured against the more precise, internal time-signal of iOS devices, such as the iPhone, and the resulting difference in timekeeping is displayed by Kello. Supported Watch Frequencies: Kello can automatically determine the frequency of the watch being measured based on eight of the most common frequencies used in mechanical watches. These frequencies are standard among low-, middle- and high-grade mechanical timepieces and will accommodate the vast majority of mechanical watches produced in the past 100 years. The following frequencies are supported: * 14,400 bph * 16,200 bph * 18,000 bph * 19,800 bph * 21,600 bph * 25,200 bph * 28,800 bph * 36,000 bph Recommended hardware: Kello works best with an external microphone that has an excellent frequency response between 10,000 and 20,000 Hz. How to know if your watch is mechanically regulated: There are four simple ways to determine if your watch is mechanical and can be used with Kello. 1. Look at the text on your timepiece. If the word "quartz" is featured anywhere on the watch, your watch is not mechanical. If the words "automatic" or "shock-proof" are written anywhere on the watch, there is a very high chance that your watch is mechanical and its precision can be measured by Kello. 2. If your watch has a hand that indicates the seconds, observe how frequently it moves. If the hand moves only once every second, it is very likely that your watch is not mechanical. If this hand moves several times per second or appears to sweep along in a smooth, continuous motion, your watch is most likely mechanical and its precision can be measured by Kello. 3. Turn the crown, that is used to set the hands of the watch, while it is pressed fully in. If the crown turns smoothly, your watch is not mechanical. If you can hear a ratcheting sound as you turn the crown, your watch is most likely mechanical and its precision can be measured by Kello. 4. Place the watch close to your ear and listen. If you hear a noise approximately once every second, it is unlikely that your watch is mechanical. If you hear a constant ticking noise, your watch is very likely a mechanical watch and its precision can be measured by Kello.
ClockMaster
This app analyzes the ticking sound of mechanical pendulum clocks to determine their running rate and error. It's designed for accurate long-term measurements, allowing users to regulate clocks efficiently. Advanced features include printable reports and data export for in-depth analysis.
- Analyzes escapement ticking sound
- Measures running rate in Beats Per Hour (B/H)
- Reports error in Seconds Per Day (±S/D)
- Supports long-term measurements
- Generates printable PDF reports (Pro)
- Exports raw data as .csv file (Pro)
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>>> Check out the demo videos at ClockMasterApp.com ClockMaster is a clock timing software, in many ways similar to watch timegraphers, but specifically designed to work with mechanical pendulum clocks. The app analyzes the ticking sound of the escapement to determine the clock's running rate measured in Beats Per Hour (B/H). This rate is then compared to a specified Target Rate, and the Error is reported as Seconds Per Day fast or slow (±S/D). The speed of a mechanical pendulum clock is not constant, fluctuating with age and wear, spring tension and even temperature. The ClockMaster app was created with a focus on accurate long-term measurements where traditional timers often do not function very well. For the professional horologist or interested amateur, you can now test in the field — put the clock in exact beat and regulate the clock with just a few hours of testing. For increased rate accuracy and in depth investigation of clock movement's behavior, you can conduct long-term measurements for up to two weeks (ClockMaster Pro). Branded, printable PDF reports can be generated for each measurement, and the raw data exported as .csv file for graphing in a spreadsheet (ClockMaster Pro). ClockMaster Pro (in-app upgrade) provides these additional features: • Save and share branded, printable PDF reports for each measurement • Export raw measurement data as a .csv file for spreadsheet analysis • Conduct long-term measurements of up to two weeks
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Kello at $9.99 against ClockMaster's $49.99. Kello also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). ClockMaster's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (59% vs 37%). On update cadence, ads 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
Kello costs $9.99 and ClockMaster $49.99 up front. ClockMaster sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Kello asks for nothing beyond the download.
ClockMaster holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ClockMaster has 52 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Kello's written reviews are positive against 59% of ClockMaster's.
Kello ships an update every 3 months, ClockMaster every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kello | ClockMaster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $49.99 |
| Rating | 2.8 (5 ratings) | 3.8 (52 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 37.3% of reviews | 58.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 52 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #182 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Coldflower Design Corp. | ONYX Apps |
Customer experience
Kello
ClockMaster
User reviews
Kello
From 5 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Innovative watch timing solution at affordable price
- ✅ Accurate readings when properly configured
- 🎯 Correctly identifies beat frequency (BPH)
- ⚙️ Useful for watch regulation and adjustment
- 📱 Portable alternative to expensive timing machines
Room to improve
- 🎙️ Highly sensitive to microphone quality and placement
- 🔇 Requires extremely quiet environment to function
- 📊 Inconsistent readings even in same position
- ⚠️ Frequent signal detection failures
- 🔄 High variability in results between measurements
ClockMaster
From 52 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Works very well
- 👍 Accurately sets beat and calibrates time
- 👍 Good alternative to expensive dedicated instruments
- 👍 Elegant display for setting beat and symmetry
- 👍 Works well for professional clock repairers
Room to improve
- 😞 Frustrating data handling
- 😞 Spreadsheet export issues
- 😞 iPhone notifications stop measurements
- 😞 Does not work for 400-day clocks
- 😞 External mic option missing
Bugs and requests
Kello
Reported bugs
10 issues- App crashes on iPhone 5 and iOS 6
- Signal detection fails inconsistently
- Frequency auto-detection varies wildly on same watch
- Unstable signal readings despite strong initial signal
- App hangs on 'determine frequency' step
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- Poor microphone compatibility with external mics
- Results vary significantly between consecutive measurements
- Crashes frequently during measurement process
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Microphone not detected on some devices
Requested features
10 requests- History log and data storage for watches
- Graphical representation of timing data over time
- Average readings over longer time periods
- Watch profile saving functionality
- Beat error measurement capability
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Export feature for timing results
- Fine-tuning control for amplification slider
- Improved signal detection algorithm
- Better microphone sensitivity recommendations
- Compatibility with more iOS versions
ClockMaster
Reported bugs
6 issues- Data lost if app stops unexpectedly
- iPhone notifications interrupt measurements
- External mic option not available
- App freezes after iOS upgrade
- Screen touch points unresponsive
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Help section incomplete
Requested features
13 requests- Printable protocol like a timegrapher
- Beat delta info on regulation screen
- Option to manually restart measurement and append
- Undocumented units in spreadsheet export
- Include actual time in spreadsheet export
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Ability to set BPH to 480 for 400-day clocks
- Plots for drift rate and periodic error within the app
- Mic that works with the app
- External mic option
- More detailed graphs
- Option to upgrade for $5 instead of $20
- Better GUI and interface
- Indication of which half of the cycle is longer/shorter
In-app purchases
Kello
No in-app purchases
ClockMaster
- ClockMaster Pro$29.99
Questions
Is Kello free?
Is ClockMaster free?
Which has better reviews, Kello or ClockMaster?
Do Kello or ClockMaster have ads?
Which is updated more often, Kello or ClockMaster?
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