ChromTuner
- 1Runs oniOS, Mac, Web
- 2CostsFree plan
- 3Strobe displayYes
- 4Alternate tuningsYes
- 5Custom reference pitchYes
- 6Intonation monitoringNo
- 7Offline modeYes
- 8Available platformsdesktop
Overview
ChromTuner combines a native macOS chromatic tuner with a free browser tuner and a separate iPhone app. On Mac, YIN pitch detection covers A0 to C8 and is reported at ±1 cent accuracy in real-world use. The app offers an LED meter, Peterson-style strobe, vintage needle, and drifting sine-wave display, plus 15 instrument presets, eight historical temperaments, adjustable capo, custom A4 reference, and transposition up to ±11 semitones. A separate-window metronome covers 40–240 BPM, tap tempo, and meters from 2/4 to 7/8. Audio can come from the built-in microphone or macOS-recognized USB interfaces and Aggregate Devices through Core Audio. The maker says the Mac app processes microphone audio in memory without recording, transmitting, or making outbound network connections. The Mac app costs 6.99 USD per once and requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later; iPhone Pro is 6.99 USD per once. The browser and basic iPhone tuners are free. Full-band rehearsals and noisy stages may make room-microphone tuning unreliable; the maker recommends a wired pickup or DI input.
Who it is for
It suits musicians who want chromatic tuning and metronome features on Mac, or a basic free tuner in a browser or on iPhone. Players tuning in loud rooms should consider the maker’s recommendation to use a wired pickup or audio-interface DI input.
What is good
- Mac detection covers A0 to C8.
- Four distinct tuning displays are available.
- Metronome includes tap tempo and multiple meters.
- Mac app makes no outbound network connections.
- Free browser tuner and iPhone app are listed.
What to know first
- Mac app requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
- No iPad-native version of the iPhone app.
- Noisy stages can make room-microphone tuning unreliable.
- iPhone app requires iOS 17 or later.
Verdict
ChromTuner offers a detailed Mac tuner alongside free browser and iPhone options. Its platform limits and the stated difficulty of room-microphone tuning in loud settings are worth weighing before choosing it.
ChromTuner plans and pricing
All plansCompared on musical tuner apps
- Free plan
- Yeschromtuner.com
- Strobe display
- Yeschromtuner.com
- Alternate tunings
- Yeschromtuner.com
- Custom reference pitch
- Yeschromtuner.com
- Intonation monitoring
- Nochromtuner.com
- Offline mode
- Yeschromtuner.com
- Available platforms
- desktopchromtuner.com
Facts
- Product
- Chromatic Tuner is a native macOS chromatic tuner, and the maker also offers a free browser tuner and a separate iPhone app.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Pitch detection
- The macOS tuner uses YIN pitch detection across A0 to C8 and reports ±1 cent accuracy in real-world use.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Displays
- The Mac app offers an LED meter, a Peterson-style strobe, a vintage needle, and a drifting sine-wave display.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Tuning options
- The Mac app lists 15 instrument presets, eight historical temperaments, adjustable capo, custom A4 reference, and ±11-semitone transpose.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Metronome
- The Mac app includes a separate-window metronome with 40–240 BPM, tap tempo, and meters from 2/4 to 7/8.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Audio inputs
- The Mac app supports the built-in microphone and macOS-recognized USB audio interfaces or Aggregate Devices through Core Audio.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker names Focusrite, Universal Audio, MOTU, and RME among the interfaces supported through Core Audio.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Offline and privacy
- The maker says the Mac app processes microphone audio in memory, makes no outbound network connections, and does not record or transmit audio.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Security
- The Mac app is described as sandboxed under macOS App Sandbox and Hardened Runtime, with a Privacy Manifest and no telemetry.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Support
- The Mac purchase includes direct email support from the developer, and the FAQ says replies usually arrive within a few hours.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Notable limit
- The maker says full-band rehearsals and noisy stages can make room-microphone tuning unreliable, recommending a wired pickup or audio-interface DI input.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- iPhone and Apple Watch
- The iPhone app requires iOS 17 or later, and its included standalone Apple Watch app requires watchOS 11 or later.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- iPad
- The maker says there is no iPad-native version of the iPhone app.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Company location
- The site identifies the product as made in Vienna and describes the maker as indie software.chromtuner.com · 28 Sept 2026
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Where it ranks on Specifiction
- Best Musical Tuner Apps in 2026#3 of 32
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Sources
- chromtuner.com· checked 28 Sept 2026
- chromtuner.com/ios· checked 28 Sept 2026
- chromtuner.com/tune· checked 28 Sept 2026