The best metronome for drummers, by what you need it for

There is no best metronome, there is the right one for where you play and what you are working on. A drummer on a practice pad needs a free click that starts in two taps. A drummer training their internal clock needs gaps and silence. A drummer on stage needs to feel the click or hear it over a kit. This page puts apps, wearables and hardware in one table, with the features that decide each of those picks, and the ratings from both stores on the day we checked.

By Raul Rodrigues. Checked on . 22 tools, every fact sourced.

Upbeat Studio makes one of the tools in this table, the free Online Metronome. It is not ranked anywhere on this page: it sits in the table with the same columns and the same criticism as every other row, and the picker never shortlists it. Where it does not fit, the page says so.

Three questions

Which one should you try first?

Where will you use it?
What do you need it for?
What will it run on?

Every row, one standard

The table

ToolKindPlatformsPrice modelGapPolyGroupingsSubdiv.TrainerSetlistsSyncHapticBackgroundDrumsFeedbackFootswitchApp StoreGoogle Play
Drum Beats+ Rhythm MachineNinebuzz Software LLCappiOSfreemium✓????✓???✓??4.8 (5k)not on this store
Metronome BeatsStonekick LimitedappAndroid, iOS, Web, Apple Watch, macOSfreemium✓✓✓✓✓✓??✓✓?✓4.7 (6k)4.8 (183k)
PolyNome: THE MetronomePolyNome Ltd (Joe Crabtree)appiOS, macOSone-time✓✓✓✓✓✓?✓✓✓?✓4.7 (664)not on this store
BeatMirror: Track BPMTen Kettles Inc.appiOSone-time✕✕✕✕✕✕✕??✕✓?4.7 (253)not on this store
Gap Click by Benny GrebKick Snare Hat Apps, LLC (Sun Rising Application Development)appiOS, Androidone-time✓✕✕✓✕✕✕?✓✕✕✕4.6 (74)4.7 (264)
Smart Metronome & TunerTomohiro Ihara (Ihara Products Co., Ltd.)appiOS, Androidfree with ads???✓✓✓???✓??4.7 (61k)4.6 (9k)
Soundbrenner Core 2SoundbrennerwearableHardware, iOS, Androidhardware✓✕✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✕✕✕4.7 (48k)4.6 (90k)
The Metronome by SoundbrennerSoundbrenner (Soundbrenner Limited)appiOS, Android, macOSfreemium✓✕✓✓✓✓✓✓???✓4.7 (48k)4.6 (90k)
Soundbrenner PulseSoundbrennerwearableHardware, iOS, Androidhardware✓??✓✓✓✓✓✓✕✕✕4.7 (48k)4.6 (90k)
Pulse - Metronome & Tap TempoMuseScore BVBA (seller shown as MuseScore Limited; copyright line "© 2018 Pulse Technologies, Inc."; bundle id still com.plutoniumapps.Pulse from the original developer Plutonium Apps, a Seth Radman agency active 2014 to 2019)appiOS, Apple Watchfree???✓?✓✓✓✓???4.6 (5k)not on this store
Metronome & Rudiment PracticeKoen Jacobs (listed on the App Store under the developer name cougnes)appiOSfreemium✓??✓✓✓??✓???4.6 (31)not on this store
TonalEnergy Tuner & MetronomeTonalEnergy, IncappiOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Apple Watchone-time✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✕✓?✓✓4.8 (59k)4.3 (3k)
Tuner & MetronomeSoundcorsetappiOS, Androidfree with ads????✓??✓????4.3 (1k)4.6 (174k)
Time Guru MetronomeAvi BortnickappiOS, Androidone-time✓?✓✓✓✓✓?✓✓??4.5 (453)4.3 (770)
Tempo - Metronome with SetlistFrozen Ape Pte. Ltd.appiOS, Android, Apple Watchone-time✓✓✓✓✓✓✕✓✓✕✕✓4.8 (5k)3.7 (2k)
GrooveClix MetronomeAppSonica LLC (Jay Oliver and Robert Bailey)appiOS, macOSfreemium???✓✓✓???✓??4.1 (119)not on this store
Pro MetronomeEUMLab (Polybeat Limited)appiOS, Android, Apple Watchfreemium✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓?✕✓4.7 (20k)3.5 (22k)
BOSS DB-90 Dr. BeatBOSS (Roland Corporation)hardwareHardwarehardware✕??✓✓✓✓✕?✓✓✓not on this storenot on this store
KDM-3 DIGITAL METRONOMEKorghardwareHardwarehardware✕✕✕✓✕✕✕✕?✕✕✕not on this storenot on this store
MyDrumClickAntonio Jesus Pallares MartinappiOSfree????????????no rating yetnot on this store
Online Metronome by Upbeat StudiooursUpbeat StudiowebWebfree✓✕✓✓✓✕✕✕varies by browser✓✓✕not on this storenot on this store
Rhythm Watch RW200TAMA (Hoshino Gakki)hardwareHardwarehardware✕✕✕✓✕✓✕✕?✕✕✓not on this storenot on this store

Ratings and review counts are the stores' own, pulled on 2026-10-07. A cross means the feature is not there; a question mark means neither the store listing nor the maker says. No prices on purpose: they change monthly and the price model does not.

One by one

What each one is for, and what it is not

Pro Metronome

EUMLab (Polybeat Limited) · app · iOS, Android, Apple Watch · freemium

It is one of the few click apps whose copy names drummers directly: a polyrhythm mode "to help drummers hear and visualize complex, interlocking beat patterns", a Rhythm Trainer that mutes bars in a fixed spot or at random, subdivisions down to dotted and off-beat patterns, and per-beat accents that let you build a 4+3 feel in 7/4. Know before choosing: every drummer-grade feature (subdivisions, polyrhythm, Rhythm Trainer, Practice Mode, playlists) sits behind the Pro unlock, and the Android build is a separate 1.x app rated 3.5 stars whose own listing says it is "far from perfect right now".

Best for
Train my timing, Odd meters and setlists, Feel it
Not for
Anyone who wants the app to score their timing (it mutes the click but never listens back), or Android drummers expecting the iOS experience: the Play build is a different, lower-rated app with no Ableton Link or MIDI pedal wording.
Someone does it better
... where Pro Metronome's playlists are a paid unlock and its vibration stays on the phone (the App Store lists 'Apple Watch support' but no source describes Watch haptics).
Free tier
Free to download on both stores and ad-free per the maker. Free on both stores: dynamic time signature settings, 13 click tones including a counting voice, per-beat accents (f, mf, p, mute), tap tempo and background play. Free on iOS only: haptic feedback on beats and a basic tuner (the Android free list has neither; Vibrate Mode is a Pro feature there and no tuner is mentioned). Pro unlock on both stores: subdivisions, polyrhythm, non-standard time signatures, playlists, the Rhythm Trainer and Practice Mode. Stage Mode is Pro on iOS but listed as free on Android.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (20k) listing. Google Play 3.5 (22k) listing. Maker
Sources (29)
  • gap_click: Rhythm Trainer mutes a chosen bar on a schedule (Pro feature). Rhythm Trainer which mutes a selected bar in the beat, allowing your brain to fill in the gap source
  • random_mute: the trainer can mute at random, not only in a fixed spot. Choose fixed (same spot each bar) or randomized muting; optionally hide the visuals over muted bars. source
  • polyrhythm and subdivisions: maker FAQ. choose a subdivision (eighths, triplets, dotted and off-beat patterns), or turn on Polyrhythm for layers like 3:2, 4:5 and 4:7. source
  • beat_groupings: additive odd meters on the maker page. Select any time signature you want. Even odd ones like 4 + 3/4. source
  • beat_groupings: per-beat accent control. cycle each beat through full accent, sub accent, normal, or silent. source
  • Pro gating of subdivisions, polyrhythm and non-standard meters (Android listing). With the Pro Version, access subdivisions, polyrhythm settings, and create complex patterns with triplets, dotted notes, and non-standard time signatures. source
  • tempo_trainer: Practice Mode automatic ramp. Automator raises the tempo by a fixed amount every few bars up to a target. source
  • setlists: Playlist Mode and Stage Mode. Playlist Mode stores a tempo and beat settings per song; Stage Mode gives big buttons with auto-switch and auto-stop source

21 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

The Metronome by Soundbrenner

Soundbrenner (Soundbrenner Limited) · app · iOS, Android, macOS · freemium

Know that nothing in the store listings or the maker's manual says the phone itself vibrates: the vibration everyone talks about is the wearable's

Best for
Free and fast, Odd meters and setlists, Feel it
Not for
without a wearable the listings promise sound and visuals, and say nothing about phone vibration
Someone does it better
Pro Metronome - Tempo & Tuner (Polybeat) stacks two rhythm tracks as true polyrhythms and offers phone vibration and a Rhythm Trainer without a wearable, per its own App Store listing; Soundbrenner's maker states its app has no dedicated polyrhythm function.
Free tier
The whole metronome (time signature, subdivisions, per-beat accents, tap tempo, 20+ click sounds, count-in, setlists, USB and Bluetooth MIDI, Ableton Link) plus the practice tracker and tuner are free; the Soundbrenner Plus subscription adds only the incremental tempo change, the muted beats trainer and library cloud sync.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (48k) listing. Google Play 4.6 (90k) listing. Maker
Sources (17)
  • Subdivisions, time signatures and per-beat accents are free features. SUPPORTS ALL RHYTHMS - Customize the metronome’s time signature, subdivision, and beat accents to suit any rhythm. source
  • Tap tempo is a free feature. TAP TEMPO - Instantly set the metronome’s tempo by tapping along to the beat, perfect for quickly matching your rhythm. source
  • Setlists (saved songs) are supported. Save your rhythms and load them instantly in the metronome with world-class setlist management source
  • Ableton Link, USB MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI are free features (band sync between devices). Connect the metronome effortlessly to your digital and hardware gear with advanced features like USB MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, and Ableton Link. source
  • Ableton Link keeps several phones or apps in time on one Wi-Fi network. Link-enabled apps and devices on the same Wi-Fi network connect automatically and remain in time. source
  • Up to five wearables sync to one phone; more via Ableton Link across phones. You can sync up to 5 Soundbrenner wearables via Bluetooth to the same mobile device. source
  • Tempo trainer (automatic ramp) exists but is a Plus feature. SOUNDBRENNER PLUS FEATURES: INCREMENTAL TEMPO CHANGE - Push your limits with metronome tempos that gradually increase source
  • Gap click (scheduled muting) exists but is a Plus feature; wording is periodic, not random. MUTED BEATS TRAINER - Train your inner clock by periodically muting the metronome. source

9 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Soundbrenner Core 2

Soundbrenner · wearable · Hardware, iOS, Android · hardware

It moves the click from your ears to your body: a 7G vibration motor, a body strap for arm, ankle, chest, shoulder or thigh placement, and sync for up to five Core or Pulse units so a whole band can feel one tempo on a loud stage, with tempo, time signature, subdivisions and accents all adjustable from the watch face without the phone. Before choosing it a drummer should know it is silent by design (no speaker, headphone output or footswitch) and that setlists, the incremental tempo change and the muted beats trainer live in the phone app, the last two behind the Soundbrenner Plus subscription.

Best for
Feel it, Loud and live
Not for
Not for a drummer who wants an audible click in headphones, a footswitch, or a native polyrhythm mode; the Core 2 is a silent wearable and Soundbrenner's own article says its app has no dedicated polyrhythm function.
Someone does it better
Pro Metronome (Polybeat Limited) stacks two rhythm tracks in a native polyrhythm mode and ships a Rhythm Trainer in the same phone app; Soundbrenner states its app has no dedicated polyrhythm function and its trainers require the Plus subscription.
Free tier
The companion app (The Metronome by Soundbrenner) is free for the metronome, tap tempo, setlists and practice tracker; the incremental tempo change, muted beats trainer and library cloud sync need the Soundbrenner Plus subscription.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (48k) listing. Google Play 4.6 (90k) listing. Thomann: Core II Gray 1 rating, 4.0; Core II Black Steel 1 rating, 1.0 (both listed since 2024-03). Sweetwater product page returned HTTP 403 to both fetch methods, so its review count was not retrieved.. Maker
Sources (20)
  • Works standalone without the phone (offline, keeps vibrating regardless of phone screen or foreground app). Use standalone or with companion mobile app source
  • Haptic vibration strength. ERM haptic motor, 7G amplitude source
  • Band sync across devices. Up to 5 Core or Pulse with one mobile device, sync multiple mobile devices over WiFi with Ableton Link source
  • Subdivisions, accents (basis for beat groupings) and tap tempo. Adjust the time signature or subdivision and set accents on beats source
  • Tap tempo listed in tech specs. Tap tempo: Yes source
  • Battery life and battery type (not mains powered). 4+ days in watch mode, or 3+ hours of metronome playback (200 mAh lithium-ion battery) source
  • Tuner types and decibel meter range. Microphone tuner: universal compatibility. Contact tuner: guitar, bass guitar, ukulele & violin source
  • Decibel meter measuring range. 70 - 110 dB source

12 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Soundbrenner Pulse

Soundbrenner · wearable · Hardware, iOS, Android · hardware

For a drummer it moves the click off the ears and onto the wrist, arm or ankle as a vibration the maker rates 7x stronger than a phone, so you can play an acoustic kit at full volume with no click bleeding into monitors or recordings, and up to five Pulses or Cores can follow one phone for a whole band. Know before buying that it has no screen: you can tap a tempo in or nudge it with the wheel on the device, but exact BPM, time signature, subdivisions, setlists and the two trainers all need the companion app, and the trainers sit behind the Soundbrenner Plus subscription.

Best for
Feel it, Loud and live
Not for
Not for a drummer who wants an audible click, a display, or a self-contained unit; the Pulse is vibration only and is blind without the phone app, so exact tempos cannot be set on the device itself.
Someone does it better
Soundbrenner's own Core adds a screen for precise on-wrist adjustments, where the maker's Pulse FAQ admits the Pulse "has no screen, so for precise adjustments you have to use the companion app".
Free tier
Nothing on the hardware side is free; the companion app's basic metronome, tap tempo, time signatures and setlists are free, while the incremental tempo change and muted beats trainer require the Soundbrenner Plus subscription.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (48k) listing. Google Play 4.6 (90k) listing. Thomann (UK site, article 384920) 241 customer reviews, 3.7 of 5; Sweetwater page returned HTTP 403 on three attempts and was not read. Maker
Sources (15)
  • Up to five Pulse or Core wearables sync to one phone (band sync). Up to 5 Core or Pulse with one mobile device source
  • Battery life per charge. 6+ hours of metronome playback time. source
  • Haptic motor spec (vibration, no speaker). ERM haptic motor, 7G amplitude source
  • No screen on the device; precise settings need the app (basis for feedback_mode false and the concession). You can change the rhythm on the device, but it has no screen, so for precise adjustments you have to use the companion app. source
  • Battery powered, USB charged, Bluetooth 4.0 only (basis for mains_power false and footswitch false). 300 mAh lithium-ion battery source
  • Setlists via the app. save presets of your rhythms and build setlists source
  • Works standalone without the phone (basis for offline and background_audio true). Use standalone or with companion mobile app source
  • Tap tempo on the device itself. Tap the soundwave three times or more at a steady pace. Pulse will set a new tempo source

7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Tempo - Metronome with Setlist

Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd. · app · iOS, Android, Apple Watch · one-time

and in Tempo Advance a two channel polyrhythm mode with up to 20 beats per measure on each channel, plus a Subdivide Mode with up to 20 subdivisions per beat

Best for
Odd meters and setlists, Train my timing, Free and fast
Not for
Not for drummers who want a groove or drum kit sound, a mic or trigger that grades their timing, Ableton Link band sync, or one app that does everything, and Android users get a lower rated build with fewer meters and no polyrhythm option at all.
Someone does it better
Metronome Beats (Stonekick) ships a drum machine with multiple kits and programmable grooves inside a free app, and The Metronome by Soundbrenner adds Ableton Link plus USB and Bluetooth MIDI sync with a 4.6 star Android rating; Tempo offers neither grooves nor sync and sits at 3.7 on Android.
Free tier
Tempo Lite is the free tier on both stores and keeps the core engine, 8 time signatures, Coach Mode muted bars, automatic tempo ramps, tap tempo and background play, but drops setlists and the 5/8 and 7/8 meters, and the Android build carries ads.
Stores
App Store 4.8 (5k) listing. Google Play 3.7 (2k) listing. Maker
Sources (25)
  • Beat groupings: iOS Tempo lists 35 meters with distinct 5/8 and 7/8 variants. 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 source
  • Gap click: scheduled muted bars (present in Tempo, Tempo Lite and both Android builds). Coach Mode alternates between unmuted and muted bars source
  • Tempo trainer: automatic ramp by bars or time. Automatic adjustment of tempo every n number of bars or n amount of time source
  • Setlists with loop and auto advance. Loop and auto advance through setlists source
  • Background audio and locked screen playback. It keeps going even in device lock mode, making it a useful aid for live drumming. source
  • Footswitch and accessory control on iOS. Control setlists, tempo and playback with AirTurn, iRig BlueBoard, PageFlip Cicada, headphones remote and other accessories source
  • Haptic: vibration mode on iPhone. Vibration mode source
  • Apple Watch: listed in compatibility and in release notes. Apple Watch code updated to use latest and faster APIs. source

17 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Metronome Beats

Stonekick Limited · app · Android, iOS, Web, Apple Watch, macOS · freemium

For a drummer it is the free workhorse: a speed trainer that ramps tempo by bars or seconds, bar muting to test your internal clock, a drum-machine mode with multiple kits and programmable patterns, polyrhythms and 16 clicks per beat, all controllable one-handed, from a Bluetooth pedal, and in the background behind a tab or sheet-music app. Know before choosing: the practice-and-gig layer (setlists, songs, Live mode, randomised bar and beat muting, no adverts) sits behind the Pro unlock, and on iOS the whole app ships as the free download named "Metronome Beats Pro" with that unlock as an in-app purchase.

Best for
Free and fast, Train my timing, Odd meters and setlists, Groove, not click
Not for
Not for drummers who want the app to listen and grade their timing, to feel the click on the device itself, or to lock tempo with bandmates' phones; it drives a click, it does not measure you or sync playback.
Someone does it better
The Metronome by Soundbrenner (and Pro Metronome on iOS) sync playback between devices and gear with Ableton Link plus USB and Bluetooth MIDI, and Soundbrenner pairs with its own wrist wearable; Metronome Beats offers no playback sync between devices and no on-device vibration is documented, only compatibility with the plug-in Peterson BodyBeat Pulse Solo.
Free tier
The full metronome, speed trainer, drum machine, polyrhythms and tap tempo are free to use, with adverts in the free app on both stores; setlists, songs, Live mode, randomised muting and removing adverts need the Pro unlock, which on iOS is an in-app purchase inside the free download and on Android is either an in-app purchase or the separate Metronome Beats Pro app.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (6k) listing. Google Play 4.8 (183k) listing. Maker
Sources (15)
  • Speed trainer ramps tempo automatically by bars or seconds (tempo_trainer). gradually increase or decrease tempo by bars or seconds to push your speed without losing time source
  • Drum machine with kits and programmable patterns (drum_sounds). play along to real grooves with multiple drum kits, programmable patterns, and full mixer control source
  • Subdivisions to 16 per beat, per-beat accent patterns and unusual time signatures (subdivisions, beat_groupings, polyrhythm). up to 16 clicks per beat, custom accent patterns, and unusual time signatures source
  • Background audio (background_audio). Plays in the background alongside sheet-music and tab apps source
  • Android store facts: last updated 2026-09-24, ads, in-app purchases, displayed installs and reviews. Updated on Sep 24, 2026 ... 10M+ Downloads ... Contains ads ... In-app purchases ... 183K reviews source
  • Scheduled bar muting in the trainer (gap_click) and polyrhythms with swing. Set the metronome to speed up over time or mute every few bars to test your playing. source
  • iOS store facts: free download with a Pro in-app purchase, 4.7 rating on 5.5K ratings, version 7.3.0 on 2026-09-15, Apple Watch and Mac compatibility. Free ... In-App Purchases: Metronome Beats Pro ... 4.7 out of 5 (5.5K Ratings) ... 7.3.0 (Sep 15) ... Apple Watch source
  • Randomised bar and beat muting is a Pro feature (random_mute). [PRO] New randomised bar and beat muting source

7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Gap Click by Benny Greb

Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC (Sun Rising Application Development) · app · iOS, Android · one-time

It is the one app built around Benny Greb's gap-click method: the click drops out for a set number of bars, or moves off the downbeat onto a syncopated eighth or triplet position, so you find out whether your internal clock, not the click, is holding the tempo. Know before buying that it is a focused training tool rather than a daily metronome, with quarter-note time signatures only, no setlists, no tempo ramps, and store builds last updated in October 2023 on both platforms.

Best for
Train my timing
Not for
Not for gigs or general practice: no setlists, no odd-meter groupings, no tempo trainer, no polyrhythms, and a quarter-note-only time signature list.
Someone does it better
a full metronome that also has subdivisions, polyrhythms, programmable playlists (its own term for saved song and tempo lists), Apple Watch support and Ableton Link sync
Free tier
There is no free version or trial: both store listings are paid downloads with no in-app purchases, and the maker says the single purchase includes all current and future features.
Stores
App Store 4.6 (74) listing. Google Play 4.7 (264) listing. Maker
Sources (15)
  • Gap click: mutes the metronome for a configurable number of bars. you can quickly configure a "gap" of time in which the metronome drops out source
  • Tap tempo and tempo range. tap to set your desired tempo from 10 to 300bpm source
  • Subdivision-based click and gap patterns (binary and ternary); moving click onto off-beats. allowing you to practice in binary or ternary rhythms source
  • Quarter-note time signatures only, so no beat groupings. Standard quarter-note time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4 source
  • Background audio on iOS (version 1.2.4 release note, 2022-05-22). This release adds background audio support back in for iOS15. source
  • In-app volume control (version 1.4 release note, 2023-02-13). Adds the ability to adjust the Gap Click metronome volume (separate from the system volume) source
  • iOS rating and count; latest version 1.4.3 dated 2023-10-23; seller Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC; Mac (Apple silicon) compatibility listed. 4.6 out of 5, 74 Ratings source
  • Android last updated 2023-10-27, downloads band, rating and review count. Updated on Oct 27, 2023 source

7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

PolyNome: THE Metronome

PolyNome Ltd (Joe Crabtree) · app · iOS, macOS · one-time

...sit behind an in-app purchase on top of the paid download: the Premium subscription, a one-time Premium Lifetime unlock, or the one-time Pro upgrade.

Best for
Train my timing, Odd meters and setlists
Not for
Not for Android users or for anyone who wants a free, open-and-tap click; its depth takes time to learn and the features that make it special cost extra.
Someone does it better
Pro Metronome (Polybeat Limited) is free to download and its App Store description lists Apple Watch support and playback sync between devices via Ableton Link, neither of which PolyNome's listing or site claims.
Free tier
There is no free version: the app is a paid download whose base purchase covers the metronome, two sequencers, tuner and the Public Library, while Playlists, Practice Log, Media Tracks and random muting need an in-app purchase: the Premium subscription (monthly or yearly), the one-time Premium Lifetime unlock, or the one-time Pro upgrade. The tier of gap click is not stated by the maker.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (664) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (21)
  • Polyrhythms (two- and three-way). Build two- and three-way polyrhythms, hear how the parts fit together, and follow multiple animated visualizations. source
  • Subdivisions, automatic and random tempo changes (tempo trainer), tap tempo. automatic and randomized tempo changes, subdivision faders, tap tempo, Big Numbers, and a classic pendulum source
  • Haptic click on the device. or use haptics for a silent click you can feel source
  • Gap click (App Store release notes, version 26.04.1). Gap Click: Choose Gap Click from the Add Preset menu to quickly create a custom gap click in any time signature. source
  • Setlists/Playlists exist and the practice features need an in-app purchase. NOTE: Playlists, Practice Log, Media Tracks, Konnakol, Custom Sounds, and more require an In-App Purchase. source
  • One-time path to all features (Pro). PolyNome Pro is a separate one-time purchase with all features available at purchase. source
  • Mac platform (App Store compatibility). Mac Requires macOS 14.5 or later. source
  • Last updated version and date (year from Sonar: 2026-07-28). Version 26.07.3 Jul 28 source

13 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Time Guru Metronome

Avi Bortnick · app · iOS, Android · one-time

It is the purest gap-click trainer in the table: you dial a random mute percentage or program whole silent bars inside chains of shifting odd meters (up to 16/x, unlimited length), then find out for yourself whether you rush or drag, because there is no mic or scoring layer to lean on. Know before buying that it is a practice-room tool, not a gig tool: no haptics, footswitch or polyrhythm are advertised anywhere, the Android build (5.5.6) trails the iOS build (5.7.0, which added Ableton Link and MIDI clock out), and the iPad edition is a separate purchase.

Best for
Train my timing, Odd meters and setlists
Not for
Not for drummers who want a loud live click with vibration, a footswitch or a measured feedback score; none of those is advertised, and there is no free version to try first.
Someone does it better
Pro Metronome by Polybeat does more for gigging drummers: a free tier, haptic or vibrate modes, polyrhythms and a Rhythm Trainer on both platforms, plus Bluetooth/MIDI control pedal support and Ableton Link in its iOS listing. Time Guru advertises none of haptics, pedals or polyrhythm, and its own Ableton Link is also iOS only.
Free tier
There is no free tier: both stores sell it as a paid download with no in-app purchases and no ads, and the iPad edition is a separate paid listing.
Stores
App Store 4.5 (453) listing. Google Play 4.3 (770) listing. Maker
Sources (12)
  • Random mute percentage and scheduled (pattern) muting. Set any percentage of random muting to test your timekeeping. Or create sequenced muting patterns. Or combine both. source
  • Odd meters and meter chains (beat groupings). Build unlimited chains of shifting meters: 4/4 -> 7/8 -> 3/4 -> 11/16 -> 4/4 -> 3/8. Meters go up to 16/x source
  • Automatic tempo ramp (tempo trainer). Gradual Tempo Changes. Automatically speed up or slow down over time source
  • Drum-style patterns and tap tempo in the listing. 35 loud, clear sound sets. Drum machine-style rhythmic patterns. Voice counting in English, Chinese, French, German & Russian. Tap tempo source
  • iOS still updated: version 5.7.0 released 2026-09-20 added device sync (band_sync). Ableton Link wireless BPM and transport sync with Link-compatible software and devices source
  • Background audio fix (iOS 5.6.2 release note, 2026-04-28); lock-screen player fixes followed in 5.6.3 (2026-05-14). Time Guru should now play properly in the background with Podcasts, Apple Music, etc. source
  • Saved presets synced and exportable (setlists). iCloud backup and sync of presets between devices source
  • Subdivisions beyond quarter notes (iOS 4.5 and 5.0 release notes). New subdivisions - quintuplets, sextuplets and septuplets! source

4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

GrooveClix Metronome

AppSonica LLC (Jay Oliver and Robert Bailey) · app · iOS, macOS · freemium

...and after the trial the free version keeps only 3/4 and 4/4; full use needs either the Pro subscription or the one-time GrooveClix Max perpetual license (what the Lite purchase covers is not stated anywhere on the store or the maker's site).

Best for
Groove, not click, Odd meters and setlists, Train my timing
Not for
Not for drummers who want gap-click or random-mute drills, polyrhythms, a wearable or haptic pulse, or anything on Android, none of which the listing or the maker's pages mention.
Someone does it better
Metronome Beats (Stonekick) does the groove-plus-click idea on Android with a built-in drum machine and speed trainer, states on its Play listing that it plays in the background alongside sheet-music apps, and carries over 180,000 Play ratings versus GrooveClix's 119 on iOS.
Free tier
Free to download. The App Store description says "Try it FREE for 7 days" (the maker's FAQ says "You get 14 days of full use trial subscription for FREE"). After the trial the FAQ states "The free version will do 3/4 and 4/4"; time signatures up to 15, Tap/Listen Tempo, TempoLab, UserLibrary and Playlists need the Pro subscription ("GCPro: Full access to all features"), or GrooveClix Max, which App Store release note 1.0.9 describes as "a one time purchase of a perpetual license (GrooveClix Max) to unlock every feature and EXP bank permanently." GrooveClix Lite is listed as an in-app purchase but neither the store nor the FAQ says what it includes or whether it is one-time. MegaDiddles and Accents Pro are separate purchases that require Pro.
Stores
App Store 4.1 (119) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (16)
  • Groove presets instead of a click, multiple time signatures, subdivisions (drum_sounds, subdivisions). Hundreds of Groove Presets - custom created in multiple time signatures and variable subdivisions - right on your phone or device. source
  • Subdivision set and separate click/groove volume (subdivisions, loudness_note). Variable Subdivisions, 8th, 16th, and triplet. Separate Clix volume and Groove volume. source
  • Tempo ramp trainer (tempo_trainer). Tempo Lab, for custom tempo ramps, linear or stairstep. source
  • Saved library and playlists (setlists). User Library and User Playlists captures/saves every parameter. source
  • Tap tempo; LISTEN is tempo detection, not a player-feedback mode (tap_tempo, feedback_mode null). Tap Tempo, and a new LISTEN feature to capture tempos from other sources. source
  • Price model: free download, Pro subscription with one-week trial plus one-time Lite, Max, MegaDiddles, Accents Pro unlocks (price_model, free_tier). Free · In-App Purchases ... One week free trial for Pro Subscription source
  • Store rating and count as displayed, 2026-10-07. 119 Ratings 4.1 source
  • Last update version and date (version history shows 2.1.13 on Jun 6; Sonar gives 2026-06-06). 2.1.13 Jun 6 App now restores from previous state it was in when last terminated. source

8 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Smart Metronome & Tuner

Tomohiro Ihara (Ihara Products Co., Ltd.) · app · iOS, Android · free with ads

For a drummer it is a free click with real drum-machine sounds, 8th, triplet and 16th subdivisions, a Repeat mode that ramps the tempo over a set number of bars, and a Program mode that chains tempo and time-signature changes bar by bar with rehearsal marks, which covers odd-meter songs and show click tracks without paying. Before choosing it, know that nothing in the listings mentions gap-click or random-mute training, haptics, polyrhythms or a wearable, the free build shows ads, and the ad-free iOS version is a separate paid app rather than an upgrade.

Best for
Free and fast, Odd meters and setlists
Not for
Not for drummers who want to train their internal clock with muted bars or random drops, feel the beat through haptics or a wearable, or play polyrhythms, since none of these appears in any listing.
Someone does it better
Pro Metronome (EUMLab / Polybeat) lists a Rhythm Trainer that mutes a selected bar so you fill the gap, plus polyrhythms, haptic beats, Apple Watch support and Ableton Link sync between devices; Smart Metronome lists none of these.
Free tier
The whole app (metronome, tuner, recorder, Repeat and Program modes, setlists, drum machine, practice log) is free with ads; going ad-free means a separate paid app on iOS or an in-app purchase on Android.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (61k) listing. Google Play 4.6 (9k) listing. Maker
Sources (18)
  • Program mode chains time-signature and tempo changes bar by bar (odd meters, setlist-style song programs). Freely program changes in time signature, tempo, and bar counts. source
  • Repeat mode is an automatic tempo ramp (tempo trainer). Start at a slow tempo and increase the speed automatically. source
  • Setlists. Setlist: Save and organize tempos for your entire repertoire. source
  • Drum sounds. Drum Machine: High-quality percussion and drum sounds. source
  • Subdivisions into eighths, triplets and sixteenths. One beat can be set into two eighth notes, triplets, or four sixteenth notes. source
  • Tap tempo, from the maker's Japanese specification list (BPM setting by tap tempo). タップテンポによるBPM設定 source
  • The free iOS build carries ads; the paid sibling app is the ad-free edition. with Tuner, without Ads. source
  • iOS listing discloses advertising in the Information section. Contains Advertising source

10 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome

TonalEnergy, Inc · app · iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Apple Watch · one-time

For a drummer it is a serious practice metronome hiding inside a tuner: subdivisions, meter and subdivision polyrhythms, per-beat click/accent/silence patterns, X/16 and custom meters, bar silencing and random beat drops, automatic tempo ramps over bars or time, preset groups you can sequence like a setlist with meter and tempo changes, and Ableton Link to lock to a band or a DAW, all for one payment. The one thing to know before choosing it: it was built for wind, string and vocal players, so there is no drum-kit sound set, the only rhythm scoring (PulseMatch) grades taps on the screen rather than pads or a mic, and nothing vibrates on the beat (the Apple Watch app is a remote control with a haptic count-in only).

Best for
Train my timing, Odd meters and setlists
Not for
Not for drummers who want a free open-and-click metronome, drum-groove sounds or a beat they can feel on the wrist; most of the app's depth is tuner, tone-generator and pitch-analysis tooling a drummer will never open.
Someone does it better
Soundbrenner's The Metronome app lists subdivisions, beat accents, tap tempo, count-in and setlist management as free features on its Play listing (seen today), so a drummer who needs only those pays nothing, and TonalEnergy charges up front for a toolset that is mostly tuner.
Free tier
There is no free tier: the mobile app is a paid download with no in-app purchases or ads listed on either store, and the Windows/Mac desktop app is a separate one-time license that covers up to five computers.
Stores
App Store 4.8 (59k) listing. Google Play 4.3 (3k) listing. Maker
Sources (28)
  • Polyrhythm: two meters at once, plus subdivision polyrhythms. Meter Polyrhythm Two different meters are played at once to create a polyrhythm. source
  • Gap click: Metronome Assistant bar silencing with audible and silent bars. Consistent: you may choose to create a consistent metronome pattern of Audible and Silent bars by using the +/-. source
  • Random mute: random beat silencing with a frequency slider. Random Beat Silencing: If this is enabled, the metronome will randomly silence beats. source
  • Tempo trainer: automatic BPM change over bars or time. Change Every: allows you to decide how much you want to increase or decrease the BPM over # of bars or over time. source
  • Beat groupings: per-beat accent and silence patterns inside any meter (3+2+2 is built by accenting beats, not typed). By tapping on various blocks, you can create different combinations of clicks, accented clicks, and silence. source
  • Odd meters: X/16 meters and a free top/bottom number meter mode (release notes v2.2.0). Improved meter picker with multiple columns, and additional top/bottom # mode - Added X/16 meters source
  • Subdivisions and accents on the metronome. unmatched flexibility in sound choices, tempo settings, meters, subdivision patterns and visual displays. source
  • Band sync via Ableton Link. it can sync the metronome with any other device that has also engaged Ableton Link. source

20 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Tuner & Metronome

Soundcorset · app · iOS, Android · free with ads

For a drummer it is a free one-tap click that can also flash the phone torch and vibrate the handset, with a speed trainer that ramps tempo on hard passages, bundled with a tuner you will rarely need behind a kit. Know before choosing it: the stores and the maker's site name "rhythm patterns" and a "Rhythm editor" but say nothing about subdivisions, gap click, polyrhythms, setlists or playing with the screen off, so anything beyond a basic click is undocumented.

Best for
Free and fast, Feel it
Not for
Not for drummers who need gap click, polyrhythms, odd-meter groupings, setlists or a documented background mode, since none of these appear in the listings or on the maker's site, and the free tier shows ads.
Someone does it better
The Metronome by Soundbrenner documents tap tempo, setlists, custom subdivisions and accents, and a muted beats trainer in its store listing; Soundcorset's listings document none of those metronome specifics.
Free tier
The listings describe a free version with ads and a monthly ad-removal purchase; the App Store also lists a second product, "Soundcorset Membership-1 month", whose contents are not itemized anywhere in the listings or on the maker's site, so which metronome features (if any) sit behind the membership is undocumented.
Stores
App Store 4.3 (1k) listing. Google Play 4.6 (174k) listing. Maker
Sources (10)
  • Free with ads, in-app purchases, Android rating, review count, download band and last update date. Contains ads. In-app purchases. 4.6 star. 174K reviews. Teen. 50M+ Downloads. Updated on Sep 21, 2026 source
  • Haptic (vibration) mode, flash and visual modes, rhythm patterns, one-tap control. Toggle flash light-, vibration-, and visual-mode metronome. Record your playing. Select rhythm patterns source
  • BPM detector exists but the method (tap or microphone) is not stated. Precise beats per minute (BPM) control. BPM detector. Practice time tracker source
  • Tempo trainer (automatic tempo ramp). Speed trainer: Start difficult music slowly and then increase speed source
  • Haptic on the device. Vibration metronome: Synchronized cell phone vibrations with BPM source
  • A rhythm editor is named by the maker without any detail on subdivisions or groupings. More features: Rhythm editor, Scale practice, Featured records source
  • iOS name, rating, ratings count, version and date, Mac compatibility. Tuner & Metronome -Soundcorset. 4.3 out of 5, 1.2K Ratings. Version 11.2.16 Sep 5. Requires macOS 12.5 or later source
  • Price model: free version with ads, paid ad removal. We offer a free version with ads and in-app purchase for ads removal. source

2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Drum Beats+ Rhythm Machine

Ninebuzz Software LLC · app · iOS · freemium

...every pattern is a pre-recorded loop, and neither the listing nor the maker's knowledge base describes time-signature, subdivision or tempo-ramp controls...

Best for
Groove, not click, Free and fast, Train my timing
Not for
Not for drummers who need a configurable click: the listing and the maker's knowledge base describe no time-signature, subdivision, polyrhythm or tempo-ramp controls, the tempo range stops at 200 BPM, and there is no Android build.
Someone does it better
Metronome Beats by Stonekick does the training side better: its Speed Trainer ramps tempo automatically, it handles polyrhythms and subdivisions up to 16 clicks per beat, runs 1 to 900 BPM and ships on Android; Drum Beats+ offers none of that.
Free tier
The free download includes the Standard Library of 100+ pre-recorded beats with tempo change, tempo lock, favorites, count-in and the randomizer; the 250+ Pro beats preview for 20 seconds until you subscribe or buy a genre pack.
Stores
App Store 4.8 (5k) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (14)
  • Grooves instead of a click (drum_sounds true). Drum Beats+ is the metronome app that improves your timing using great sounding drum beats, not a boring click. source
  • Gap click: beats that rest for whole bars. Improve your timing with Bar Break beats that rest for entire bars or more source
  • Setlists added in version 4.8.5 (dated Sep 14 on the page, 2026-09-14 per Sonar). New: Create multiple lists for practice routines, students, and setlists. source
  • Tempo range and pitch-independent speed change. VERSATILE 45 to 200 Tempo Range -- play all the songs you want source
  • Free library size and Pro library size. Standard Library comes with 100+ PRE-MADE great sounding beats in a variety of genres (Add 250+ with the Pro Library) source
  • Freemium: free download with subscription, lifetime and pack IAPs. 1 year subscription with 7-day free trial - 1 year subscription - Lifetime subscription source
  • Loud playback via Bluetooth or AirPlay. Jam loud by using BlueTooth or AirPlay to play beats through your stereo or Apple TV source
  • Rating and ratings count on the US App Store page. 4.8 out of 5, 4.5K Ratings source

6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

BeatMirror: Track BPM

Ten Kettles Inc. · app · iOS · one-time

It listens to you play through the iPhone or iPad microphone and draws your tempo as a live, scrollable graph that turns red when you rush and blue when you drag against a target you tap in, so it measures your internal clock instead of dictating it. A drummer should know it produces no steady click of its own (only an optional count-in), so it sits beside a metronome rather than replacing one, and it has had no update since 2025-04-15.

Best for
Measure me, Train my timing
Not for
Anyone who needs a click to play to: it has no metronome, no Android version, no watch app and no free tier.
Someone does it better
Live BPM: Tap Tempo & Counter (Kostiantyn Pogorielov) offers the same microphone drift monitor with a target tempo and tolerance band on Android, has a free tier (the drift Monitor itself sits in its paid Full Kit), and was updated 2026-10-06, while BeatMirror is iOS only, paid up front and last updated 2025-04-15.
Free tier
There is no free version: it is a paid download with no in-app purchases listed on the App Store.
Stores
App Store 4.7 (253) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
  • Microphone based tempo detection (feedback mode). BeatMirror uses your device's built-in microphone to detect musical tempo in real-time. source
  • Visual drift feedback against a target tempo. If you drift from your target tempo, BeatMirror shows a red (slow down!), blue (speed up!), or green (perfect!) indicator. source
  • Tap tempo to set the target. A special tempo keyboard (with tap pad) lets you set a target tempo easily and intuitively. source
  • Last update 2025-04-15, version 3.0.0 (Range mode). Version 3.0.0 04/15/2025 source
  • Rating 4.7 from 253 ratings on the US storefront. 4.7 out of 5; 253 Ratings source
  • iOS only: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch listed, no Apple Watch or Mac. iPhone - Requires iOS 13.0 or later. iPad - Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later. source
  • Maker states iPhone and iPad only. Available now for iPhone and iPad source
  • The count-in is the only generated click, through speaker or headphones. plays the selected number of clicks before detection starts, either through the device speaker or connected headphones source

2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Pulse - Metronome & Tap Tempo

MuseScore BVBA (seller shown as MuseScore Limited; copyright line "© 2018 Pulse Technologies, Inc."; bundle id still com.plutoniumapps.Pulse from the original developer Plutonium Apps, a Seth Radman agency active 2014 to 2019) · app · iOS, Apple Watch · free

For a drummer it is the zero-friction click: free with no in-app purchases listed, tap tempo, subdivisions, time signatures, saved playlists, background play, and Bluetooth tempo sync so a bandmate's phone can follow the same count. The one thing to know before choosing it is that the app has not shipped an update since 2018-11-14 and its Apple Watch haptic is repeatedly reported as too faint to feel while playing, so treat the Watch and haptic bullets as nominal rather than practical.

Best for
Free and fast
Not for
Not for anyone who needs an actively maintained app or a wrist click they can feel behind a kit: the last update is dated 2018-11-14, there is no Android version, and Watch users in 2025 to 2026 reviews describe the haptic as too weak with no intensity setting.
Someone does it better
The Metronome by Soundbrenner is still maintained (Google Play update 2026-08-26) and, in its paid Plus tier, ships a muted-beats trainer and incremental tempo change; Pulse lists neither and has not added a feature since version 2.37 in 2018.
Free tier
The whole app: the App Store listing shows no in-app purchases and no subscription, so every listed feature comes with the free download.
Stores
App Store 4.6 (5k) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
  • Core positioning: free, haptics, Bluetooth sync, iPhone and Watch. free pro metronome app with haptics and Bluetooth syncing for iPhone and Watch source
  • Feature bullets proving subdivisions, time signatures, background audio and Watch support. Subdivisions - Time signatures - Background mode enabled - Watch support source
  • Feature bullets proving tap tempo, playlists (setlists) and cross-device Bluetooth sync. Tap for BPM - Playlists - Custom colors and click sounds - Tempo syncing across devices with Bluetooth source
  • Last update is version 2.37 dated 2018-11-14 (What's New section). Optimizations for the new iPad Pro source
  • No privacy details filed and no In-App Purchases line in the Information section. The developer, MuseScore BVBA, has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. source
  • Pulse is published under MuseScore's App Store developer account alongside the MuseScore app. Pulse - Metronome & Tap Tempo source
  • Musescore Limited publishes only one app on Google Play; no Pulse and no metronome app. MuseScore: Music Chords & Tabs source
  • Users report the app is free with no purchases (user claim, not maker claim), review dated 2026-07-09. Free, no subscription, no in app purchases, and a working metronome. source

2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Metronome & Rudiment Practice

Koen Jacobs (listed on the App Store under the developer name cougnes) · app · iOS · freemium

It is a drummer-first metronome: gap training (muted bars at set intervals), auto tempo increments and 15 click sounds sit next to all 40 essential rudiments with notation, sticking and audio playback, plus Stick Control and Accents & Rebounds style practice packs that ramp the BPM for you and log your sessions and streaks. Know before choosing: it is Apple-only (iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro, no Android and no Apple Watch), it is a one-developer app with 31 ratings, its "saved programs" are rudiment practice sessions rather than song setlists, and the last update was 2026-03-22, more than six months before this check.

Best for
Free and fast, Train my timing
Not for
Not for gigging drummers who need song setlists, band sync, a haptic or wearable click, polyrhythms, or an Android version; none of those is stated anywhere in the listing or by the maker.
Someone does it better
The Metronome by Soundbrenner does the gig side far better: it states world-class setlist management, has 48,000+ App Store ratings versus 31 here, and pairs with a haptic wearable and an Android app; PolyNome additionally states polyrhythms, randomized tempo changes and band click setlists, none of which this app claims.
Free tier
The core metronome and the full 40-rudiment library are free; Premium (monthly or yearly in-app subscription) unlocks advanced metronome features, unlimited practice sessions, custom session creation and all Practice Packs.
Stores
App Store 4.6 (31) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (14)
  • Gap click: mutes whole bars on a schedule (Gap Training). mute bars at set intervals to test if your internal clock is solid source
  • Tempo trainer: automatic BPM ramp (Auto Increment). automatically raise the BPM every few bars to build speed without thinking about it source
  • Tap tempo. Tap tempo to set your BPM instantly source
  • Subdivisions and per-beat accents; time signatures customizable (groupings like 3+2+2 not stated). Customize time signatures, subdivisions, and per-beat accents source
  • Background audio. Background mode for uninterrupted practice source
  • Loudness note: volume boost stated, nothing on headphone output. Volume boost for loud practice rooms source
  • Saved programs (setlists column): custom practice sessions and pre-built programs, not song setlists. Build your own sessions with custom rudiments, BPM ranges, and bar lengths source
  • Pre-built ramping programs. Pre-built speed training programs that ramp BPM over time source

6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

MyDrumClick

Antonio Jesus Pallares Martin · app · iOS · free

... an iPhone app with no Android build (the store lists it as compatible with Apple silicon Macs and Apple Vision, and Apple's lookup data lists iPad models) ...

Best for
Free and fast
Not for
Anyone who needs subdivisions, gap click, tempo ramps, setlists, haptics or an Android version; none of these are claimed and the app has not been updated since 2024-01-31.
Someone does it better
Metronome Beats (Stonekick) states a speed trainer, polyrhythms, complex subdivisions, background play and setlists, none of which MyDrumClick's listing claims, and it carries tens of millions of installs against MyDrumClick's zero ratings.
Free tier
The whole app is free, described as ad-free, with no in-app purchases listed on the App Store.
Stores
App Store no rating yet listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
  • Tap tempo, tempo knob and swipe buttons exist; beats per measure adjustable. Adjust the metronome tempo, by means of rotating a knob, with swipeable buttons or even tapping your desired tempo. source
  • Free and ad-free, no in-app purchases listed. Non-drummers may also enjoy this ad-free app, as it features all the basic metronome capabilities one would expect. source
  • No public rating or review count on the App Store. This app hasn't received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview source
  • Runs on iPhone, Apple silicon Mac and Apple Vision; no iPad, Watch or TV entry on the page. Requires macOS 14.2 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later source
  • Version 1.0, current version released 2024-01-31, first released 2024-01-30, zero ratings. version: 1.0; currentVersionReleaseDate: 2024-01-31T07:41:09Z; releaseDate: 2024-01-30T08:00:00Z; userRatingCount: 0 source
  • Fills & Rolls tracks rudiments as hand and foot strokes with an attached tempo. Each rudiment consists of a sequence of strokes and rests. Strokes can be either hand strokes or foot strokes. source
  • User data stays on the device; no analytics collected. All the information entered in the app by the user is stored only and exclusively locally in the device. source
  • No Google Play listing under the iOS bundle id. HTTP 404 Not Found source

2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

BOSS DB-90 Dr. Beat

BOSS (Roland Corporation) · hardware · Hardware · hardware

It is the metronome on this list that listens back: the built-in mic or a Roland V-Pad feeds a Time Check mode that grades each quarter note against the click, Quiet Count alternates four loud bars with four soft ones, Gradual and Step Up/Down ramp the tempo automatically, and everything is stored in 50 memories with footswitch start/stop and MIDI IN sync. Know before buying that it is a 2005 design weighing 450 g with no vibration, no Bluetooth and no app, that Quiet Count lowers the click rather than silencing it, and that an alkaline 9V lasts about 6 hours of continuous use, so you will want the PSA adaptor.

Best for
Train my timing, Measure me, Odd meters and setlists, Loud and live, Groove, not click
Not for
Not for drummers who want a silent, wearable or pocket click, or a trainer that randomly drops beats: it has no vibration, no Bluetooth, no app and no random mute, and its only quiet mode softens the click rather than cutting it.
Someone does it better
The Metronome by Soundbrenner app (Play Store listing fetched via Sonar 2026-10-07) has a Muted Beats Trainer in its Plus tier that fully drops the click, and its free tier already syncs players over Ableton Link, USB MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI; the DB-90 can only receive MIDI clock over a cable, and its Quiet Count lowers the click rather than dropping it.
Free tier
Nothing is free or gated: it is a one-off physical purchase with every function built in, no app, account or subscription.
Stores
App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Thomann 148 ratings, 4.6 of 5 (thomann.co.uk, fetched 2026-10-07); Sweetwater page not retrievable (HTTP 403). Maker
Sources (22)
  • Rhythm Coach has four training modes. This innovative follow-along feature has four training modes to help build your accuracy, speed, and endurance. source
  • Human voice count is one of four click sounds. Select four different click sounds, including a human voice-counting sound that will help you know your place in the bar. source
  • Feedback mode uses the built-in mic or a Roland V-Pad trigger input. With the DB-90's onboard microphone, you can use the Rhythm Coach functions with acoustic drums, or plug a Roland V-Pad into the Trigger input. source
  • Footswitch start/stop and MIDI IN sync. Footswitch control for hands-free play/stop, and MIDI input for sync to external sequencers source
  • 50 metronome memories. Metronome: 50 source
  • Runs on a 9V battery or the PSA mains adaptor. DC-9V: Dry Battery (6LR61/9V, 6AM6/9V) or AC adaptor (PSA series) source
  • Quiet Count reduces the click for four bars, it does not mute. play at the set volume level for the first four measures then play the second four measures at a reduced volume source
  • Time Check grades the player's strikes against the click. The display indicates whether or not the source for the mic input or pad is struck with the same timing as the metronome. source

14 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Rhythm Watch RW200

TAMA (Hoshino Gakki) · hardware · Hardware · hardware

It is built for the gig rather than the practice room: a speaker loud enough to hear over an acoustic kit, 30 song programs (beat, tempo and sound) that STAGE mode counts in for 8 bars and then auto-advances, a stereo REMOTE jack for a footswitch (tip = start/stop, ring = next program), a 1/4 inch line out for the monitor mix, a backlit LCD, a tempo dial and a dedicated TAP TEMPO key. Know before choosing it that plugging into LINE out mutes the PHONES out, so one unit cannot send the click to the PA and to your in-ears at once, and that it has none of the training functions (gap click, tempo ramp, polyrhythms, beat groupings) that apps give away.

Best for
Loud and live, Odd meters and setlists
Not for
Not for timing practice: no gap click, no random mute, no tempo trainer, no polyrhythms, no beat groupings, only two click sounds, and the subdivision controls are volume knobs, not programmable patterns.
Someone does it better
Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat does far more at the practice end: a Rhythm Coach that scores your timing through its built-in mic or a pad trigger, PCM drum patterns, a human voice count, MIDI In for sync and 50 metronome memories against the RW200's 30 (Boss global product page, fetched 2026-10-07).
Free tier
Nothing is free: it is a purchased device that ships with a 9V battery and a carrying pouch, while the footswitch, the AC adapter and the RWH10 stand holder are all sold separately.
Stores
App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Thomann 224 ratings, 4.6. Maker
Sources (14)
  • Loud speaker, tempo dial, separate subdivision volumes, backlit display, more memory (features true: subdivisions, loudness). plenty of volume to use while playing real drums, a dial for quick tempo adjustments, separate volumes for quarter notes, eighths and triplets source
  • Mains power true: runs on a 9V battery or a DC adapter (adapter sold separately). 9V Battery (S-006P) or DC9V 200mA adapter source
  • Setlists true: 30 song memories; current draw at max volume (loudness note). Tempo & Beat Memory: 30 songs; Required Current: 130mA@9V (@Max. volume, ♩=250/min) source
  • Retailer rating count and average; on sale since 2015-02. 4.6 out of 5 stars from 224 customer ratings; Available since February 2015 source
  • Outputs: headphone and line out, not usable at the same time; footswitch input; tap. 2 audio outputs for headphones and line-out (mini jack + jack - cannot be used simultaneously); Footswitch input; Tap function source
  • Footswitch controls program selection and start/stop; subdivision volumes include 1/16 and triplets; tempo range. Program selection and start/stop function via footswitch; 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 triplets individually adjustable; Tempo adjustable from 30-250 BPM source
  • Official manual PDF location (1.2MB entry on Tama's manuals page). RW200 Rhythm Watch 1.2MB source
  • Manual (German section): tempo range 30 to 250 BPM via the TEMPO data wheel. Hier kann das Tempo zwischen =30 und 250 BPM eingestellt werden. source

6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

KDM-3 DIGITAL METRONOME

Korg · hardware · Hardware · hardware

A desk metronome whose 36 mm dynamic speaker sits in a sealed enclosure that Korg says stays audible next to high-volume instruments, with 0 to 9 beats, duplet, triplet and quadruplet subdivisions (including inner-beat-omitted variants), son and rumba clave patterns, tap tempo, a 1 to 120 minute practice timer and eight click voices (mechanical, pulse, cowbell, claves, clap, sticks, rimshot, English voice). Before choosing it, know that it runs on four AAA batteries only with no PSU connector, retains a single setting rather than songs or setlists, and plugging in headphones mutes the speaker.

Best for
Loud and live
Not for
Not for anyone who wants a tempo trainer, gap click, polyrhythms, custom beat groupings, setlists, vibration, or any footswitch, sync or audio input: its only connector is the 3.5 mm headphone jack and its only modes are metronome, timer and reference tone.
Someone does it better
Metronome Beats (Stonekick, free on Google Play) lists per-beat mute, polyrhythms, a speed trainer and saved presets, none of which the KDM-3 offers; the KDM-3's answer is a louder dedicated speaker and roughly 120 hours on four AAA cells.
Free tier
Nothing is free: it is a one-off hardware purchase with no app, software tier or subscription attached.
Stores
App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Thomann (black, KDM-3-BK) 69 ratings, 4.7 of 5; Thomann (white, KDM-3-WH) 37 ratings, 4.7 of 5; both read 2026-10-07. Sweetwater returned HTTP 403 twice, so no US retailer count.. Maker
Sources (15)
  • Loud sealed-enclosure speaker is the headline feature. Featuring a newly designed sealed speaker enclosure, it delivers powerful volume that exceeds its compact size. source
  • Clear tone claimed to cut through loud instruments; no dB figure given. All of these sounds deliver a clear tone that is easy to hear and will not be obscured even by high-volume instruments source
  • Power is four AAA batteries; roughly 120 hours at maximum volume. Approx. 120 hours (120 tempo, 4 beats, mechanical metronome, maximum volume, using standard alkaline batteries) source
  • Only connector is a 3.5 mm phone jack; 36 mm dynamic speaker. Phone jack (3.5mm stereo mini jack) source
  • Tempo modes include tap tempo. PENDULUM step, FULL step, TAP tempo source
  • Tap tempo confirmed in the owner's manual (edition dated 2024-11-07). Press the TAP button several times in accordance with the tempo of the tune to be played. source
  • Headphones mute the speaker. When headphones are connected to the KDM-3, no sound will be generated from the speaker. source
  • Memory backup retains one settings state, not multiple songs or setlists. The settings are retained even after the KDM-3 is turned off. source

7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.

Online Metronome by Upbeat Studioours

Upbeat Studio · web · Web · free

A browser click built for drum practice: tempo from 30 to 300, up to 8 beats with accent, ghost or mute per beat, four subdivisions, a drum-kit mode, a tempo trainer, a gap trainer, an odd-meter trainer and a challenge mode that scores your taps or claps in milliseconds. It runs on anything with a browser and nothing is saved anywhere, which is also its limit: no setlists, no sync, no haptics.

Best for
Free and fast, Train my timing, Measure me
Not for
Stage work and anything that needs to be felt rather than heard: it has no haptics, no setlists, no band sync, and a browser tab will not beat a wearable or a dedicated unit at a gig.
Someone does it better
Soundbrenner's wearables win the stage and haptic intents outright, PolyNome and Tempo win programmed polyrhythms and setlists, and Pro Metronome has far more sounds and a decade of refinement.
Free tier
Everything, with no account, no ads and no install; it can be added to a home screen and keeps working offline.
Stores
App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (3)
  • Free, browser-based, no account. a free online metronome designed specifically for drum practice. It runs directly in your browser, with no app to download and no account to create. source
  • Tempo range and beat controls. Set your tempo anywhere from 30 to 300 BPM using the slider, the +/- step buttons, or by typing a specific value. source
  • Tempo trainer ramps the BPM on its own. a built-in Tempo Trainer that automatically increases the BPM at intervals you define. source

What the data says

What we found

The most-rated metronomes are not drummers' metronomes

Search "metronome" in either store and the top results are general utilities: Smart Metronome & Tuner carries 61,051 App Store ratings and Soundcorset more than 50 million Google Play installs. Neither listing mentions a gap mode, polyrhythms or odd-meter groupings. The apps built by and for drummers are small by comparison: Gap Click, made with Benny Greb, has 74 App Store ratings. Popularity in the store tells you an app works, not that it trains what a drummer needs.

Android drummers get a different, weaker list

Pro Metronome is rated 4.7 on the App Store and 3.5 on Google Play, and its own Android listing calls the app "far from perfect right now". Tempo shows the same gap, 4.8 against 3.7. PolyNome, BeatMirror, Drum Beats+ and GrooveClix are not on Android at all. The exception is Metronome Beats, rated 4.75 on Google Play across more than 180,000 reviews. If you are on Android, read the Google Play column, not the overall reputation.

Almost every serious app can go silent on you. Few can listen back.

Thirteen of the 22 rows can mute bars or beats on a schedule so you have to hold the time yourself, the standard way drummers train an internal clock. Only four can tell you how accurate you were: TonalEnergy, BeatMirror, the Boss DB-90 with its instrument input, and our own Online Metronome. If you want a number instead of a feeling, the Feedback column in the table shows which ones give you one.

Stage hardware wins on one thing, and it is not features

The Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 and the Korg KDM-3 have none of the training features in this table: no gaps, no polyrhythms, no groupings. They are on the list because a drummer at an acoustic kit or on stage needs a click that is loud, starts from a footswitch or a big button, and does not depend on a phone. That is the Loud and live chip, and it is the one intent where an app is the wrong tool.

Method

How we checked

Where the facts come from. Platforms, price models and every feature tick come from the App Store listing, the Google Play listing or the maker's own page, read on 2026-10-07, and the exact words relied on are kept with each row (open "Sources" on any card). Store ratings and review counts are the stores' own on that date, pulled through Sonar, an app-store analytics service, for both stores at once. A feature is marked yes only when a listing or the maker says it; when neither says, it is shown as unknown rather than as no.

How it was checked. Every row was researched once and then handed to a second, independent pass whose only job was to break it: open the same listings, check every tick, every platform, every rating. Rows it could not confirm were corrected or marked unknown before publishing.

What this page does not measure yet. We have not bench-tested timing jitter, the delay Bluetooth headphones add, or how loud the hardware units really are. Until we have run that test with a published method, nothing on this page claims a number we did not measure. The ratings and the feature matrix are facts you can check at the links; the fit lines are our reading of them.

No prices. Prices and tiers change monthly and are the top complaint in every review study we have run on music apps. The table shows the price model and what the free tier gives you; the stores show today's price.

FAQ

Questions drummers ask about the best metronome for drummers, by what you need it for.

The ones named most often by working drummers and in drummer-written guides are PolyNome, Pro Metronome, Gap Click and the Soundbrenner app with its wearable. The store charts tell a different story: the top-ranked metronome apps are generic tuner-and-metronome utilities that no drummer guide mentions. Both lists are in the table.

If you play an acoustic kit without in-ears, or you play live, yes: it is the only way to keep the click without hearing it through the kit. On a practice pad or an electronic kit with headphones, an app does the same job for free. The wearables are the rows marked haptic.

Every serious metronome app schedules its clicks on the device's audio clock, so the differences you hear come from the interface, the sounds and what happens when the screen locks, not from the timing engine. We have not bench-tested jitter yet, so this page makes no accuracy claim; when we do, the method will be published here.

You can, but Bluetooth adds a delay between the click and your ear that is large enough to feel. For practice at a kit, wired headphones or a wired in-ear are the safe choice, and a wearable sidesteps the problem by vibrating instead of sounding. Some apps let you offset the click to compensate.

Play the exercise at a tempo where it is clean, then come down by about a fifth and work there. Raise the tempo in small steps only when a speed feels solid, not just good. Keep the click on for fills, not only for grooves, and use a gap mode once you can hold a tempo, so the click checks you instead of carrying you. The practice guide on this site goes deeper.

Slower than feels natural. New grooves and rudiments belong at a tempo where every stroke is even and relaxed, which for most beginners is well under the tempo of the song they want to play. Speed is a by-product of precision; the metronome's job is to make the slow tempo honest.

Many do, through in-ear monitors fed by a click track, a hardware unit with a footswitch, or a vibrating wearable. The rows marked loud and live are the ones built for that: a dedicated output, memories for each song, a footswitch to start the next one, and power that does not run out mid-set.

A gap click mutes the metronome for a bar or more on a schedule, so you have to hold the tempo yourself and find out whether you landed on it when the click returns. It is the standard way drummers train an internal clock, and the apps that do it well make the gaps longer as you improve.

Both, for different things. A click exposes your time; a groove or drum-machine pattern teaches feel and lets you work on fills against a pattern that keeps going. The rows marked groove, not click play patterns instead of a tick; the drumless tool on this site goes one step further and takes the drums out of a real song.

Both stores list it as a free download with paid upgrades inside. The Android version carries a much lower rating than the iOS version, which is the single biggest platform gap in this table; the row explains it.

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