Comparison

k vs Polyrhythm Explorer

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

Head to head
About

k

This metronome app helps users master complex rhythms by applying Karnatic rhythmic principles to Western music. It offers advanced features like tuplets, polyrhythms, and flexible sequence design for interactive practice.

Highlights
  • Tuplets (pulse divisions) from 2 to 13
  • Triplet phrasing and randomisation
  • Triplet groupings and accents
  • Fade feature for advanced polyrhythms
  • Nested tuplets
  • Flexible user sequence design
  • Polyrhythm chains (e.g., 4:5)
  • Video tutorials and keyboard shortcuts
Features
Read full description

The purpose of this metronome is to eventually eliminate the need for itself. The goal, of course, is to master the exercises without the help of an electronic aid. Until then, this tool may offer some support. Please keep in mind, however, that the primary function of the k-metronome is to facilitate the application of Karnatic (South Indian) rhythmic principles to Western music. # Features - Tuplets, or pulse divisions (gati or nadai), ranging from 2 to 13 - Tuplet phrasing (tuplet randomisation to help ultimately master the rhythm pyramid) - Tuplet groupings or accents applied to tuplets (jathis) - Fade feature to practise groupings or advanced polyrhythmic chains - Nested tuplets - Flexible user sequence design based on numbers, paving the way for various creative approaches to - practice - Polyrhythm chains, e.g. 4:5, 5:3, 20:3 - Video tutorials and how-tos - Keyboard shortcuts - Presets can be stored locally, exported and shared Please note that any parameter changes will take effect on the next beat. Combined with keyboard shortcuts, this feature offers great flexibility for interactive practice, distinguishing it from other metronome apps. This practice tool aims to be helpful for students of the "Applications of Karnatic (South Indian) Rhythm to Western Music" programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. It may also inspire other musicians who want to explore the intricate world of rhythm and enhance their skills through the solid methodology laid out in Rafael Reina’s book Applying Karnatic Rhythmical Techniques to Western Music (Routledge, 2015). Of course, the primary credit goes to the incredibly rich karnatic and Hindustani traditions and to the brilliant musicians who have shaped this unique musical art form. One of the most outstanding mridangam players and konnakol artists of his generation is B. C. Manjunath. He is also well known for his contributions to the worlds of jazz and contemporary music, for example through his work with Aka Moon, Riccardo Nova, and many others. At its core, k-metronome is designed from a Western pedagogical perspective, while drawing deeply on Karnatic rhythmic principles.

About

Polyrhythm Explorer

Learn and master complex rhythmic patterns with interactive guides and visual tools. Explore polyrhythms through written lessons, video tutorials, and customizable sound options. Ideal for musicians of all levels seeking to deepen their rhythmic understanding.

Highlights
  • Written guides and video tutorials
  • Linear and Grid Layout Modes
  • Voice Count for isolated rhythms
  • Customizable sounds (drums, keyboard)
  • Polymeter visualization
  • Sample-accurate timing
  • Full-Screen Mode
Features
Read full description

Master Polyrhythms with Ease—No Prior Knowledge Needed... Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, Polyrhythm Explorer provides you with everything you need to understand and master polyrhythms. 
Polyrhythm Explorer features: 
- Written guides and video tutorials teach you what polyrhythms are and how to understand a polyrhythm step-by-step. 
- Linear and Grid Layout Modes: Easily visualize how two rhythms interact with each other in a polyrhythm. See how the rhythms relate to help you understand them. - Voice Count: Isolate one rhythm or the other in a polyrhythm and hear it counted out loud. 
- Full-Screen Mode: Hide controls for an immersive, focused learning experience. Perfect for creating videos teaching polyrhythms. - Customizable Sounds: Experience polyrhythms on a drum kit or as melodic keyboard patterns. 

- Polymeters: With subdivisions on, you can hear a polyrhythm as a polymeter. - Sample-accurate timing. Can be used as a metronome. - Seamless Integration with PolyNome --- 
Polyrhythm Explorer is the perfect companion to PolyNome (also available on the App Store). 
Export polyrhythms to PolyNome to view them as notation or circular visuals.
PolyNome also supports 3-way polyrhythms and offers numerous features beyond polyrhythms. 
Start Your Rhythmic Journey Today! Transform your musical skills and explore the complexity of rhythms with Polyrhythm Explorer.

Screenshots

k4 screens
Polyrhythm Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: k at Free against Polyrhythm Explorer's $4.99. k also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). Polyrhythm Explorer's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

k is free to download; Polyrhythm Explorer costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

k holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Polyrhythm Explorer has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of k's written reviews are positive against 88% of Polyrhythm Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

k ships an update every 2 weeks, Polyrhythm Explorer every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
k versus Polyrhythm Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterkPolyrhythm Explorer
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings112 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFunkyDrumTutorPolyNome Ltd

Customer experience

k

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Polyrhythm Explorer

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

k

No in-app purchases

None

Polyrhythm Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is k free?
k is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polyrhythm Explorer free?
Polyrhythm Explorer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, k or Polyrhythm Explorer?
k is rated higher. k averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Polyrhythm Explorer averages 4.5 from 12 ratings.
Do k or Polyrhythm Explorer have ads?
Neither k nor Polyrhythm Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, k or Polyrhythm Explorer?
k ships an update every 2 weeks, and Polyrhythm Explorer every 8 days. Most recently, k was updated on September 16, 2026 and Polyrhythm Explorer on September 21, 2026.

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