Comparison

k vs PolyRhythmic Metronome

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

PolyRhythmic Metronome

Features
Read full description

Polyrhythmic Metronome is an advanced rhythm trainer designed for musicians who want to master polyrhythms, cross-rhythms, and complex time signatures. Practice with up to 3 simultaneous rhythm layers, choose from 20+ professional sounds, and take your timing to the next level. POLYRHYTHM ENGINE • Play 2 or 3 rhythm layers simultaneously (2:3, 3:4, 5:4, 7:4, 2:3:4, 3:4:5, and more) • Custom ratios up to 16 per layer • BPM range from 20 to 300 • Tap tempo for quick tempo matching • Per-beat accent cycling (accent, normal, ghost) • Visual playback grid with real-time position tracking 20+ PROFESSIONAL SOUNDS • Drums: Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Crash, Cowbell, Clap, Rim Shot, Toms • Pitched tones and bleeps for melodic practice • Piano sounds for harmonic context • Per-layer sound selection with session persistence GROOVE GENERATOR • Auto-generated drum grooves based on your polyrhythm pattern • 6-instrument drum machine: Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Crash, Bass, Piano • Step sequencer grid with tap-to-edit cells • Per-instrument mixer with volume and mute controls • Regenerate for endless groove variations • Independent BPM control SPEED TRAINER (Pro) • Automatic tempo increment during practice • Set start BPM, target BPM, bars per step, and BPM increment • Build speed gradually without interrupting your flow GHOST MODE (Pro) • Random beat muting to strengthen your internal pulse • Adjustable mute probability (10%–80%) • Re-randomizes each loop for unpredictable training PITCH EDITOR (Pro) • Piano-roll editor for per-beat pitch control on melodic sounds • Chromatic note selection across octaves 2–6 • Real-time preview and live rescheduling PDF EXPORT (Pro) • Export polyrhythm notation as print-ready PDF • Export groove patterns with velocity indicators • Share or print directly from the app • Includes practice tips for each pattern MIXER • Per-track volume sliders • Mute and solo controls • Real-time volume adjustment during playback Perfect for drummers, percussionists, guitarists, pianists, and any musician looking to improve their rhythmic independence and timing accuracy. From RiffRoutine — apps and resources for musicians. Terms of Use: https://www.riffroutine.com/terms

Screenshots

k4 screens
PolyRhythmic Metronome4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: k at none against PolyRhythmic Metronome's 2. k also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, 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

Both are free to download. PolyRhythmic Metronome sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. k asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

k ships an update every 2 weeks, PolyRhythmic Metronome every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
k versus PolyRhythmic Metronome: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterkPolyRhythmic Metronome
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFunkyDrumTutorRomeu Beato

In-app purchases

None

k

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PolyRhythmic Metronome

Subscriptions1
  • Polyrhythmic Metronome Pro7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Polyrhythmic Metronome - Lifetime$8.99

Questions

Is k free?
k is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PolyRhythmic Metronome free?
PolyRhythmic Metronome is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do k or PolyRhythmic Metronome have ads?
Neither k nor PolyRhythmic Metronome shows ads.
Which is updated more often, k or PolyRhythmic Metronome?
k ships an update every 2 weeks, and PolyRhythmic Metronome every 2 months. Most recently, k was updated on October 20, 2026 and PolyRhythmic Metronome on October 3, 2026.

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