Metronome for Mac

Used Metronome for Mac?

Metronome Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Metronome is a free multimedia application designed for Mac users, providing a precise and easy-to-use tool for musicians and composers. This program offers a variety of tempo settings, allowing users to customize their practice sessions according to their specific needs. With a straightforward interface, it is suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians alike, ensuring that users can keep time accurately while playing or composing music.

Top Recommended Alternative

Ultimate VU

Free

The application features adjustable beats per minute (BPM), allowing for a wide range of tempos, and offers different sound options for the metronome click. Users can also set accents on certain beats, enhancing their practice experience. Metronome is a valuable addition to any musician’s toolkit, facilitating better rhythm and timing during practice.

Metronome for Mac

Used Metronome for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: April 30, 2010

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 1.8.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X 10.5
Mac OS X 10.3.9
Mac OS X 10.6
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.4
Mac OS X 10.3

Additional Requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 - 10.6.x

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 33,374

Downloads Last Week: 4

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.3/5

8 User Votes

Hey it's free
gazorkinplatzMarch 4, 2016
Pros
Keeps time - if you have any problem listen to it more carefully or slow down.
Cons
I haven't had any trouble with it. It's not very pretty but I don't care because I'm busy listening.
Summary
Works for simple needs
Jefferis PetersonDecember 7, 2012
Pros
Free, keeps time for you, like a traditional metronome
Cons
No way to input the tempo via keyboard stroke, as in tapping a space bar.
Summary
I am trying to set the tempo for existing audio works, like mp3 or midi files, so that when I import them for transcription, I have an accurate baseline for tempo (which makes note recognition more accurate. It is VERY difficult to try and match the tempo by moving the beats per minute up and down manually via a mouse click while listening to a recording... also not accurate enough.
Works fine, except for the Quit bug (see "Cons").
r-w-gDecember 18, 2011
Pros
It has the features you would expect, and others.
Cons
It does not respond to a Quit request from the Dock or during Restart.
Summary
Powerful, Flexible, Well-designed!!
sonicraftMarch 28, 2010
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I've only used this version briefly, but find it to be very intuitive. The documentation is clear and reveals a host of extra features that make it well worth the suggested donation of $8. You can load your favorite short click sounds and you can set up very flexible accent patterns using these sounds. Great tools are included for training including the ability to ramp tempos up or down (using negative numbers). And you can save settings for quick recall. The metronome does now start immediately when a start (THANKS!!). If you stop and then restart, it seems the metronome restarts where it left off from the previous stop. I couldn't find an option to have the metronome start from beat 1 with each restart. Maybe I am missing something.
Improvement needed
VersionTrackerUserOpinionJuly 30, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />From time to time the beat is unregular. And this app should work with an Apple Remote. You're not always close to your computer when you play the instrument. I play the tenor saxophone in front of a music stand for the sheet, a few meters from my laptop. It's obviously awful to have to move and manipulate a keyboard with a cumbersome saxophone tied to the neck to change the tempo. Not the best way to stay relaxed and concentrate on your interpretation. A standard standalone metronome is more convenient.
Super App, Terrific Developer
cayugaladSeptember 3, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Ron's Metronome is the only OSX software metronome with EXACTLY the features I was looking for, and after having used it for months, I emailed Ron with a suggestion (which was evidently duplicated by other users) and he got RIGHT on it (Auto Pilot) and a month later it was there! When I had difficulties making the new version work, his support was astonishingly thorough and personal. Rare that you find such a combination. I contributed gladly($8.00 is all he asks. He could sell it for multiples of that). Such developers deserve support. Thanks, Ron.
The New Champ!
jeffhrsnMay 19, 2006
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I am a professional musician and full-time music teacher. I use a software metronome on my Mac every single day and couldn't believe how sparse that decent metronome options are for OS X! Ron Fleckner's Metronome is far and away the best of the lot! The customizability and make this the best of the lot! Don't hesitate downloading this one first and then compare them to the others and you will find that this one is the champ!
Pretty nice... (4.5 stars)
ringthane--2008May 15, 2006
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br /><p>After 20 years of playing the bass, I'm finally taking up drums so I've been downloading and sampling as many metronomes, drum machines and beat generators as I can for the Mac.</p> <br> <p>This app is simple, it works, and being able to change the tempo via -/+ keys is really convenient. Being able to select customized accent sounds is nice, as is the incremental stepping preference.</p> <br> <p>I deducted one star because ony my PB G4/1.5, the tempo will stutter or fluctuate if I have a lot of processes going on, ie, have GoLive and Photoshop and three browsers running on my 512MB of ram. Granted, that's really not the app's fault, but in real world situations I could potentially have iTunes, GarageBand and a few other apps running alongside the metronome. To be honest, I only notice the stuttering when I switched apps, and I'm sure it wouldn't happen on my G5 or on a duo core intel.</p> <br> <p>I'm tempted to request a slew of options like support for odd meters, etc, but that would lead to featuritis/bloat and probably not the scope of this clean little app. Still, I quite haven't found the perfect metronome/beat box combo that features a metronome with easy programming that supports meter/tempo changes, etc.</p> <br> <p>Nice work, and this app is now part of my home drum studio.</p>

Developer’s Description

By Save the World

Keep time automatically or input a tempo by hand.

Metronome is a free metronome for Mac OS X. Most functions (start/stop, change tempo &etc) use only one key to facilitate one-handed operation.A unique Accelerator - begin a difficult piece slowly and gradually speed up by any rate to any maximum tempoA Tempo Finder - use any key to tap a tempo and put it into the metronomeSave favourite settings for easy re-loading.