Chronal vs The Metronome by Soundbrenner

Chronal is an Android metronome and tuner app for beginner and advanced musicians. Its timing tools include beat and subdivision visualization, tap tempo, custom time signatures, and an editor for creating rhythms. Two synchronized metronomes support polyrhythms, and conductor mode combines metronome and tuner functions. The app includes seven sound packs and can play audio files at custom tempos. A fullscreen mode uses large visuals intended to be visible from a distance. The tuner supports transposition for any instrument and tuning to a custom frequency. It can detect BPM from percussion through the microphone in real time, and provides an A4 reference tone with adjustable frequency. Chronal is ad-free, open source, and funded by donations. It is available through F-Droid and Google Play, with source code on GitHub. The listed F-Droid version requires Android 6.0 or newer. F-Droid lists microphone permission for use while the app is in use, while Google Play reports that the developer declares no data collection or sharing. Chronal is free; the product pages provide no stated support channel.

The Metronome by Soundbrenner combines a metronome, practice tracker, and tuner for musicians. Accent markers have four states, and users can assign sounds and visual effects to each state. Songs can be saved to a library, organized into setlists, and shared by link; practice history supports reviewing sessions and building streaks and calendar progress. The app works with Soundbrenner wearables, which users connect from within the app. Ableton Link syncs it over Wi-Fi with Ableton Live and other Link-enabled apps. The maker discontinued DAW synchronization beyond Ableton Link, citing usability and reliability issues. Core app features are free. Soundbrenner Plus adds cloud backup and cross-device library syncing, but its multiple listed subscription prices have no specified billing periods. The app supports iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, macOS 13 Ventura or later on Apple silicon Macs, and Android 10 or later. It supports tap tempo, subdivision controls, and custom time signatures, but not polyrhythms.