Comparison

CrossBeat vs RDM Playalongs

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

Head to head
About

CrossBeat

Features
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Features: – very stable engine while battery consumption remains very low – use as a metronome and/or rhythm trainer by tapping easy to very complex accents – off instrument rhythmic training no matter where you are – one of the most accurate metronomes with the possibility to add subdivisions and accent patterns (Crossbeats) – 3 Volume sliders for Pulse, Subdivisions and Accents – Progress-bar which indicates actual position within the bar (visual orientation) – Visual metronome count – over 100 Exercises for accents in 1/8th notes triplets, sixteens and sextuplets – accent groupings as well in 5 and 7, to create even more interesting and challenging crossbeats – real-time feedback of tapping accuracy by red, orange or green light – great selection of sounds, selectable for each device (pulse, subdivisions, accents, right and left tap) independently. Makes practice routine even more fun – intuitive menu navigation and clear design – storage of user preferences of last session (exercise and sounds) CrossBeat is a modern Metronome and one of a kind Rhythm-trainer, for all musicians no matter if you are a newbie or experienced player. The difficulty-level of the exercises can be adjusted individually. Are you sitting in a train and feel like doing a short exercise? Put in your ear plugs and tap a few exercises. Are you a Music educator who's constantly looking for new ways to improve the didactic possibilities? CrossBeat will definitely enrich your lessons and give your students a modern way of learning rhythms. CrossBeat gives you so many possible applications and will definitely improve time, rhythmical understanding and odd-meter skills. Exercises are designed with clear didactic thoughts. Train each position (accent) of a subdivision and the sound created in relation to the basic pulse. For that you can use one of the tap buttons to play pulse and the other to play the accents. (Left or right can be adjusted) After you've mastered the basic accents you can go on the odd grouped accents. That means groups of 3 for 16th notes, groups of 4 for triplets and sextuplets etc. or even harder with groups of 5 and 7. Strive for a relaxed feeling and total rhythmic understanding, count the pulse loud and try to end up playing the exercises only supported by the pulse of the app. No support anymore with subdivisions. Layout (for now) optimized for iPhone.

About

RDM Playalongs

This app offers three practice tools for drummers, including a metronome with advanced features, a sight-reading generator, and a library of exercises. It helps improve hand speed, accuracy, and reading skills with customizable tempos and rhythms. Track your practice time and engage with a community for support.

Highlights
  • 500+ practice exercises
  • Customizable metronome with unique subdivisions
  • Generates unique sight-reading exercises
  • Tempo control with range and climbing options
  • Practice time tracking and streaks
  • Community support from developer
Features
Read full description

Three practice tools for rudimental drummers, built to get your hands clean and fast. PLAYALONGS 500+ exercises. Press play and it loops until you stop it. Set the tempo to bounce around inside a range so you can't settle in, or have it climb every few reps until you find where you break. Twelve ready-made playlists too, or build your own. METRONOME Any time signature. Any subdivision, including the ones normal metronome apps don't have: 7-lets, 9-lets, ratio rhythms. Accent, diddle, buzz or mute any beat, any partial. Chain different rhythms into a sequence and save it. SIGHT-READING LAB Hit generate, get a page you've never seen. Set the tempo, the rests, the stickings, the syncopation, the time signature. Set the difficulty to your level. Notation on screen while it plays, so you're reading and hearing at the same time. Practice time tracked. Streaks. Leaderboard. Stuck on something? Post it in the community and I'll answer it myself. Built by Anthony Steller, a gigging drummer and snare instructor, for marching snare drummers and drumlines. Start free. You get all three tools with limits, no card needed. RDM Playalongs Monthly is an auto-renewing subscription, $12.99 per month. It unlocks all 500+ exercises and every control in all three tools. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. It renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://rudimentaldrummingmastery.com/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

CrossBeat1 screens
RDM Playalongs4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RDM Playalongs at Free against CrossBeat's $2.99. RDM Playalongs also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 39 months). CrossBeat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

RDM Playalongs is free to download; CrossBeat costs $2.99 up front. RDM Playalongs sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $12.99 per month. CrossBeat asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CrossBeat ships an update every 39 months, RDM Playalongs every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CrossBeat versus RDM Playalongs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrossBeatRDM Playalongs
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—10 — better
Update frequencyEvery 39 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStefan MeichtryAnthony Steller

In-app purchases

None

CrossBeat

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

RDM Playalongs

Subscriptions1
  • RDM Playalongs$12.991 Month

Questions

Is CrossBeat free?
CrossBeat costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RDM Playalongs free?
RDM Playalongs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CrossBeat or RDM Playalongs have ads?
Neither CrossBeat nor RDM Playalongs shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CrossBeat or RDM Playalongs?
CrossBeat ships an update every 39 months, and RDM Playalongs every 4 days. Most recently, CrossBeat was updated on October 26, 2026 and RDM Playalongs on October 29, 2026.

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