# FingerFiddle vs Strum Machine

The clearest difference is price: Strum Machine at Free against FingerFiddle's $2.99. Strum Machine also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). FingerFiddle's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.4). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Strum Machine is free to download; FingerFiddle costs $2.99 up front. FingerFiddle sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Strum Machine sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Strum Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 120 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of FingerFiddle's written reviews are positive against 89% of Strum Machine's.

FingerFiddle ships an update every 3 months, Strum Machine fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FingerFiddle | Strum Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.4 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fingerfiddle/id1057024351/reviews) | **[4.7 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **120** |
| Positive reviews | 81.6% of reviews | **88.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#140** |
| Size | 24 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Matthias Demoucron](https://appshunter.io/developer/1057024350) | [Luke Abbott LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509158552) |

## What reviewers say

### FingerFiddle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fingerfiddle/id1057024351)

Transform your device into a realistic string instrument. Control notes with your fingers and shape sound with bow-like movements. Experience the full expressive range of violin family instruments anytime, anywhere.

**Highlights:** Realistic bow and fingerboard control, Expressive sound shaping, Pizzicato playing mode, Customizable fingerboard, Inter-App Audio/Audiobus support, Multiple violin family instruments

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Violin (Classic Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Viola (Classic Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Violin (Con Sordino Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Double Bass (Classic Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Viola (Con Sordino Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cello (Con Sordino Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Double Bass (Con Sordino Collection) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Classic Collection | $8.99 | one-time |
| Con Sordino Collection | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Realistic and amazing sound quality
- 💡 Highly expressive and innovative
- ✨ Intuitive and well-designed interface
- 🚀 Great performance and small file size
- 💰 Excellent value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Additional in-app purchases required for instruments
- 🎻 Violin not included in initial purchase
- 🤔 Confusing pricing and hidden costs
- 🎛️ Limited pitch selection (fixed keys)
- 🎧 Aliasing distortion on high strings

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently (especially after iOS 11.2)
- 3D bow and vibrato not working for some users
- Mutes when starting recording in GarageBand
- Vibrato function not activable for some users

**Requested features**

- Recording capability
- Metronome
- MIDI IN/OUT support
- AUv3 support for DAWs
- Support for Apple Pencil 2 pressure


### Strum Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553)

**Currently charting:** #140 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Generate realistic backing tracks for practice with real instrument audio. Customize chord progressions, keys, and tempo. Features a large song library, song editor, and band customization options. Works offline and syncs across devices.

**Highlights:** Realistic instrument audio backing tracks, Customizable chord progressions, keys, and tempo, Extensive song library, Simple song editor, Band and instrument customization, Cross-platform syncing and offline mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FingerFiddle free?

FingerFiddle costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Strum Machine free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FingerFiddle or Strum Machine?

Strum Machine is rated higher. FingerFiddle averages 4.4 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Strum Machine averages 4.7 from 120 ratings.

### Do FingerFiddle or Strum Machine have ads?

Neither FingerFiddle nor Strum Machine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FingerFiddle or Strum Machine?

FingerFiddle ships an update every 3 months, and Strum Machine fortnightly. Most recently, FingerFiddle was updated on October 24, 2026 and Strum Machine on October 24, 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.*