CLAVE
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Clave is not the right tool for every practice. This page compares it with three well-known alternatives, including the places where they are the better choice.
The short version
Clave is a hardware-style metronome and an instrument-aware tuner in one app. The free version is a complete metronome and chromatic tuner; Clave Pro is a one-time purchase with no subscription, no ads and no account. It is strongest when you want four independent subdivision volume layers, 30+ instruments, a practice log, widgets and Apple Watch in the same place.
If you need odd meters, polyrhythms, MIDI/Ableton Link, recording and deep analysis today, another tool may fit better. The table below says where.
Side by side
Prices and features change. The competitor facts below come from their public App Store descriptions and listings in October 2026; verify the current price and feature set on the App Store before buying. Clave has no affiliate relationship with any of them.
| Clave | TonalEnergy | Pro Metronome | Soundbrenner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price model | Free + one-time Pro | Paid app (US$6.99 at time of writing) | Free + Pro upgrade | Free + in-app purchases; optional hardware |
| Recurring charge | No | No recurring charge claimed | Check the current in-app purchase | Check the current in-app purchase |
| Free version | Complete metronome + chromatic tuner | Paid download | Free metronome + basic tuner | Free metronome, tracker and tuner |
| Metronome subdivisions | Four independent volume layers | Advanced subdivision patterns | Subdivisions in Pro | Time signatures and subdivisions |
| Odd meters / polyrhythms | Not in 1.0 | Advanced meters; check polyrhythm | Polyrhythms in Pro | Check the current app |
| Tuner | 30+ instruments, 30 tunings, 7 temperaments | Deep tuner, orchestral strings, guitar, analysis | Basic tuner | Chromatic + 100+ tuning profiles |
| Apple Watch | Included in Pro | Check the current app | Yes | Yes |
| Practice log / widgets | Practice log, widgets, Live Activity | Practice analysis and recording | Timer and playlists | Practice tracker and widgets |
| MIDI / Ableton Link | Not in 1.0 | Ableton Link; check MIDI | MIDI pedal and Ableton Link | Check the current app |
| Account / offline | No account; works offline | Paid app; check account requirements | Free app; check account requirements | Free app; check account requirements |
| Best for | A hardware-style all-in-one with a one-time purchase | Educators and players who want a deep practice suite | Flexible metronome, polyrhythms and stage use | Practice tracking and wearable haptic hardware |
Where Clave is not the best choice
Clave 1.0 focuses on single meters, up to nine beats per bar, with accents, swing and four subdivision layers. It does not do 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8 or polyrhythms yet. If those are essential today, Pro Metronome and TonalEnergy are stronger choices.
TonalEnergy is a mature all-in-one practice suite with recording, pitch and harmonic analysis, an eight-octave keyboard, tone generation and a long history with educators. Clave is more focused on the metronome and tuner workflow.
Soundbrenner is built around its practice tracker, subscription and wearable haptic hardware. If you want a body-worn metronome and a broader practice ecosystem, that is its home turf.
TonalEnergy has years of classroom and ensemble use behind it. If you need the most established educator ecosystem and do not mind a paid app, it is a sensible default.
Choose Clave if
If that sounds like your practice, start with the free version. It is a complete metronome and chromatic tuner; you can decide about Pro after a few real sessions.
Try it on a real session
No countdown, no account, no ads. The free version is a complete metronome and chromatic tuner.
Download on the App StoreWant the details first? Read the FAQ.