# SmartScales vs Professional Violin

The clearest difference is ads: SmartScales at none against Professional Violin's shown. SmartScales also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (67% vs 43%). Professional Violin's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SmartScales sells 17 one-off in-app purchases and Professional Violin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SmartScales holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 40 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of SmartScales's written reviews are positive against 43% of Professional Violin's.

SmartScales ships an update every 5 months, Professional Violin every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartScales | Professional Violin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103/reviews)** | [3.8 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/professional-violin/id1452594913/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 38 | **40** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 208 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Greater Heights Media Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1024503102) | [Alper Kahriman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054578352) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartScales

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscales-backing-tracks/id1024503103)

This app transforms scale and arpeggio practice into an engaging experience with specially composed backing tracks. It closely aligns with the ABRSM syllabus, offering interactive scores, adjustable tempos, and a built-in metronome. Explore various music styles and practice with looping exercises for instruments like piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

**Highlights:** Interactive scale and arpeggio practice, ABRSM syllabus alignment, Specially composed backing tracks, Adjustable tempo control, Looping exercises, Built-in metronome, Toggleable audio tracks

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cello Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Piano Grade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Piano Grade 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Double Bass Grade 3 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grade 5 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Viola Grade 5 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grade 7 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Piano Grades 1 to 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Double Bass Grade 8 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 5 to 8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cello Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Violin Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Viola Grades 1 to 8 | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Makes practicing scales fun
- 💡 Invaluable for beginners
- 🚀 Useful for all levels
- ✅ Great for developing ear and intonation
- ✨ Engaging and enjoyable practice

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Sound quality is dire
- 😕 Backing tracks not to taste
- ❌ Difficult to find specific scales
- 📉 Scales played too slow
- 🚫 No MIDI support

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot delete app from iPad
- In-app purchase server connection issues
- App crashes after purchase
- App crashes after opening
- Unable to locate in-app purchases

**Requested features**

- Add ABRSM clarinet options
- Add ABRSM piano syllabus updates
- Pro version for school use with all grades enabled
- Search for key signature and browse octaves
- Add MIDI support


### Professional Violin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/professional-violin/id1452594913)

Experience realistic violin sounds with diverse articulations and advanced tuning. Record and share your musical creations with a variety of expressive tones and effects.

**Highlights:** Realistic violin sounds, Orchestra and Orchestra X sound groups, Microtonal tuning, Transpose adjustment, Reverb and chorus effects, Dynamic key sensitivity, Built-in recorder

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get Premium | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartScales free?

SmartScales is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Professional Violin free?

Professional Violin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SmartScales or Professional Violin?

SmartScales is rated higher. SmartScales averages 4.2 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Professional Violin averages 3.8 from 40 ratings.

### Do SmartScales or Professional Violin have ads?

Professional Violin shows ads; SmartScales does not.

### Which is updated more often, SmartScales or Professional Violin?

SmartScales ships an update every 5 months, and Professional Violin every 4 months. Most recently, SmartScales was updated on September 23, 2026 and Professional Violin on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*