When I started researching accessible metronome apps for low vision for the first time, I was standing in the hallway during a band rehearsal in middle school and trying to figure out if I could get a large print metronome on my phone. Until then, I had never used a metronome by myself, and was panicking because I couldn’t see the metronome my band director handed me. I still remember leaning against the white brick wall, balancing my clarinet on my shoulder while staring at my Android smartphone, and wondering how I was going to use a metronome with low vision or whether accessible metronomes even existed.
Many years later, I still play clarinet and use accessible metronome apps during practice, but I’ve been surprised to learn that many students use metronomes as part of other activities. My friends have mentioned using metronomes in the classroom (both for music classes and non-music related classes), accessing metronomes during O&M lessons, pulling out metronomes for dance classes or when learning choreography incorporating metronomes into vision therapy exercises, and other areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Here is a list of accessible metronome apps for low vision and blind users that provide a steady beat for practicing music and developing other Expanded Core Curriculum skills (ECC skills) for visually impaired students.
The Metronome app by Soundbrenner (iOS and Android)
The Metronome by Soundbrenner is a free metronome app accessible with VoiceOver and TalkBack that offers several customizations for low vision users as well. Like many metronome applications, The Metronome offers options for customizing time signatures, 15 subdivision modes, and supports BPM from 20 BPM to 400 BPM, along with several other features like a setlist library, tuner, and practice tracker. Users are not required to create an account to access the basic metronome features listed, though there is a premium plan that provides options for setting up incremental tempo changes and saving songs to a setlist. The Metronome can also be paired with Soundbrenner wearable devices.
Some of my favorite low vision accessibility settings for The Metronome include:
- Edit/set tempo with keyboard
- Dark theme and light theme
- Option to customize visual effects in settings, including turning flashing effects on/off
- Select color of visual effects: green, blue, purple, red, orange
- Options to set custom sounds for metronome, including but not limited to voice counting, cowbell, percussion effects, and more
I had trouble navigating The Metronome settings on my Android phone at first because of the larger display scaling I have set up, so users with low vision may need some assistance when configuring the app for the first time. Some VoiceOver users have also reported not being able to use the metronome dial, though I prefer to use type my own BPM and don’t use the dial often.
Related links
- The Metronome app by Soundbrenner on App Store
- The Metronome by Soundbrenner on Google Play
- My Large Print Music Binder
- Assistive Technology Options For Watching The Conductor With Low Vision
Gibson Metronome app with subdivisions (web-based, no downloads required)
Gibson Metronome is a free browser-based metronome app that can be accessed within any web browser— no download or account required. The Gibson Metronome website offers four subdivision modes, time signatures from 2 to 12 beats per bar, and the option to set accent beats by tapping/clicking on a beat dot to play a louder click. It supports BPM from 10 to 300, which can be configured by selecting the +/- buttons or by selecting the BPM to type a value with the keyboard. The tool uses the Web Audio API for sample-accurate timing and can be used on computers, phones, and tablets with an internet connection.
While I have not used the Gibson Metronome with a screen reader, I like the dark color scheme and often use pinch-to-zoom or browser zoom to enlarge text. The layout of the website is simple and has a single-column layout that is easy to read and navigate with low vision.
Related links
- Free Metronome with Subdivisions | Gibson Web App
- Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- My Favorite Web Browser Extensions For Low Vision and CVI: Reducing Visual Fatigue
- Learning Clarinet With Low Vision
TempoPerfect (iOS, iPadOS)
TempoPerfect is a free accessible metronome app for iOS and iPadOS that is fully accessible with the VoiceOver screen reader. TempoPerfect supports BPM from 10 to 280, offers eight subdivision modes, and has several options for customizing time signatures. The play button for the metronome is visible in the top-right corner of the app, above the Italian tempo markings guide. Unlike the other accessible metronome apps listed, TempoPerfect does not have a dark mode color scheme or a visual metronome that flashes; the visual effects appear to flicker randomly and do not correspond with the beat. I prefer metronomes without visual effects, so this feature does not impact how I use the app.
TempoPerfect also offers a Windows and Mac app for free, though I have not tested either one. I prefer to use web-based accessible metronome apps on my computer if I am using a metronome.
Related links
- TempoPerfect on App Store
- Tips For Reading Music On An iPad With Low Vision
- How To Use VoiceOver With Low Vision on iPad
- Smartphone Accessibility Settings For Photosensitivity
- Create A Personal Accessibility Checklist for Low Vision
Google Metronome (web-based, no downloads required)
Google’s built-in metronome appears directly in Google Search; simply type “metronome” into the search bar and an interactive module appears instantly, with no download or installation needed. The Google metronome features a tempo slider ranging from 40 to 218 BPM and produces a steady click sound with a small visual animation. It is completely free and works on both desktop and mobile browsers, and focuses entirely on providing a steady beat; unlike the more advanced accessible metronome apps on this list, it lacks time signature changes, subdivision options, accent controls, tap tempo input, and advanced visual beat indicators. That said, the built-in metronome can be super helpful for orientation and mobility lessons, vision therapy exercises, or other non-music tasks.
Related links
- Web Search Tips and Operators For Low Vision
- College Game Day and Sporting Events: College O&M
- How I Play In GMU Green Machine/Pep Band With Low Vision
FluteTunes online metronome (web-based, no downloads required)
Another browser-based metronome app, the FluteTunes online metronome is another free metronome option that does not require users to download anything or make an account. The FluteTunes metronome can be configured to stress the first beat, time signatures from 1 to 12 beats per bar, and supports BPM from 1 to 480. Users can type their desired BPM, adjust the BPM with arrow keys, or tap the rhythm by selecting “tap tempo here” to configure the BPM. As the metronome plays, a yellow rectangle will appear as a visual beat indicator.
One of my friends uses the “tap tempo here” feature when they use a metronome to teach choreography, as they can tap along while listening to music. Users can also track the beat visually with the high-contrast black and yellow indicator, which can be helpful when internalizing rhythm.
Related links
- Online Metronome | FluteTunes
- How To Modify An Instrument Fingering Chart For Low Vision
- Dance Classes and Low Vision
- How To Describe Dance Choreography Videos For Visually Impaired
- Writing Marching Band Drill For Low Vision Students
- Participating In Drama and Theater Programs With Low Vision
Simple Metronome Alexa Skill (Amazon Alexa/Amazon Echo devices)
Simple Metronome is a voice-activated metronome skill for Amazon Alexa-enabled devices (such as Amazon Echo speakers). It is designed for instrumental practice and is controlled entirely by voice commands. Users can specify a tempo ranging from 30 to 300 BPM and a beat (1–7 beats per measure), and the skill plays click sounds for up to 10 minutes per session. I love using smart speakers like the Amazon Echo when practicing because I don’t have to look at a screen and can control the application entirely with my voice, unlike many other accessible metronome apps.
To enable Simple Metronome, say “Alexa, enable Simple Metronome.” From there, users can say phrases like “open Simple Metronome and play at tempo 96 in 4 beats per measure.”
Related links
- Learning Clarinet With Low Vision
- How To Make Music Accessible With Microsoft PowerPoint
- Upcycling Music Stands into Assistive Technology
- Background Sounds and Ambient Audio for Low Vision
Other resources on using accessible metronome apps for low vision
- I avoid using metronomes that have large flashing visual indicators because I get disoriented from flashing lights. When playing in concert band settings, my fellow clarinet players will often cover tuner lights with their thumbs; I share more in Concert Band and Low Vision Accommodations
- Another metronome memory that comes to mind is standing outside during marching band rehearsals. Learn more about my marching band experience in Marching Band and Low Vision
- Want more music content? Check out Arts and Music Archives | Veroniiiica
Published May 12, 2026. Updated May 2026