A free metronome app clicks a steady beat at the tempo you choose, so you can practise in time and build speed gradually. The apps here are free to install or use in a browser; the real differences are ads, accent and subdivision options, and how quickly you can change tempo mid-practice. Pick a simple one for daily practice and a fuller one for drummers or bands.
Practising with a metronome is the least glamorous habit in music and one of the most useful. It shows you exactly where you rush, where you drag and which bars you only think you can play.
Here are ten free metronome apps in no particular order, sorted alphabetically: phone apps, a browser metronome and a couple that double as tuners. For each phone app I've noted what its own Google Play listing says about ads and in-app purchases, re-checked today.
Most metronomes do the basics well. Where they differ is in the extras: accents on the first beat, subdivisions, practice timers, setlists and a tap button for finding the tempo of a song.
If you're new to practising with a click, keep it simple. A clear sound and big tempo buttons beat a hundred features you'll never touch.
Free metronome apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions usually come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camtronome | Metronome and BPM app | Finding the tempo of a song | Yes |
| Easy Metronome | Practice click app | A simple click for daily practice | Yes |
| Metronome Beats | Metronome app | Adjustable beats and accents | Yes |
| Metronome Online | Browser metronome | Practising on a computer | Yes |
| Pro Metronome | Rhythm trainer app | Detailed rhythm and subdivision settings | Yes |
| Smart Metronome & Tuner | Metronome and tuner app | A metronome and tuner together | Yes |
| Soundbrenner | Metronome app | A modern metronome for musicians | Yes |
| Soundcorset Metronome | Tuner and metronome app | Daily practice with tuning built in | Yes |
| Tack | Open-source metronome app | An ad-free, open-source click | Yes |
| True Metronome | Tap tempo app | Tap tempo and steady timing | Yes |
Ten free metronome apps
Camtronome
Best for: Musicians who want to tap or detect the tempo of a song and practise along.
Easy Metronome
Best for: Beginners who want a simple, no-fuss click for daily practice.
Metronome Beats
Best for: Players who want adjustable beats per bar and accents without complexity.
Metronome Online
Best for: People who practise at a computer and don't want to install anything.
Pro Metronome
Best for: Serious students who want detailed subdivisions, accents and rhythm patterns.
Smart Metronome & Tuner
Best for: Students who want a metronome and tuner in one app.
Soundbrenner
Best for: Musicians who want a modern, visual metronome for practice and rehearsals.
Soundcorset Metronome
Best for: Students who tune and practise in the same app every day.
Tack
Best for: People who want a clean, open-source metronome without ads.
True Metronome
Best for: Players who want tap tempo and a steady, precise click.
What the store labels tell you before you install
Here's a quick way to find a calmer metronome. On Google Play, the listing for Tack shows no Contains ads label and no in-app purchases label, and its listing describes it as open source. True Metronome and Pro Metronome show no ads label but do list in-app purchases, while most others show both.
A metronome is something you'll stare at for twenty minutes at a time, so ads matter more here than in most apps. Check the labels on the listing first, then test the sound, because a click you can hear over a drum kit is a different thing from one that suits a quiet piano.
How to practise with a metronome
- Pick a short passage, not a whole piece.
- Set the tempo slow enough to play it perfectly.
- Play it three times in a row without a mistake.
- Nudge the tempo up a little and repeat.
- Stop when it gets messy and go back a step.
Features worth having
- Accents: a stronger click on the first beat of the bar.
- Subdivisions: clicks for eighth notes, triplets and more.
- Tap tempo: tap along to find a song's speed.
- Loud, clear sound: essential for drums and amplified instruments.
- Practice timer: helps you keep sessions short and regular.
Practice as a habit
Learning an instrument is a wonderful bit of personal development, and a metronome turns vague practice into measurable progress.
If you've hit a plateau, a teacher can spot timing problems you can't hear yourself. Here's why getting a tutor helps with any skill you're serious about.
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Do you make metronome apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice for practising in time
Slow is fast. Practising perfectly at a slow tempo builds the speed you want far quicker than rushing through mistakes at full speed.
Keep sessions short and regular. Ten focused minutes with a click every day will do more for your timing than one long session at the weekend.
And record yourself now and then. Listening back with the click in your ears is humbling, but it shows you exactly which beats to work on next.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free metronome app?
One with a clear sound, easy tempo controls and the extras you need, such as accents or subdivisions.
Which metronome apps have no ads?
Some listings on Google Play show no Contains ads label. Check the listing before you install.
Is there a metronome I can use in a browser?
Yes. Browser metronomes work on a computer without installing anything.
What does BPM mean?
Beats per minute, the number of clicks the metronome plays each minute.
How do I find the tempo of a song?
Use a tap tempo feature and tap along with the beat.
What are subdivisions on a metronome?
Extra clicks between the main beats, such as eighth notes or triplets.
Is a metronome good for beginners?
Yes. It builds steady timing from the very start.
Can drummers use a phone metronome?
Yes, but use headphones or a speaker so you can hear it over the kit.
How slow should I start?
Slow enough that you can play the passage perfectly every time.
Do metronome apps need the internet?
Most work offline once installed, but check each app.
Can I use a metronome with a tuner?
Some apps combine both, which is handy for daily practice.
How long should I practise with a metronome?
Short daily sessions of ten to twenty minutes work well for most people.
Should I always practise with a click?
Not always. Mix click practice with playing freely so you develop your own sense of time.
