FingerFiddle vs Banjo Sim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FingerFiddle
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.
- Realistic bow and fingerboard control
- Expressive sound shaping
- Pizzicato playing mode
- Customizable fingerboard
- Inter-App Audio/Audiobus support
- Multiple violin family instruments
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Turn your iPad into an instrument of the violin family and play just like on a real instrument ! FingerFiddle introduces a new and highly sensitive musical experience with your IOS device. Your actions on the screen are turned naturally into an exceptionally realistic and responsive sound, whatever you do. Place your fingers on the fingerboard to change notes. Move your other hand on the screen to rub the strings with the bow and shape the sound continuously in real-time. Pluck the screen to play pizzicato. FingerFiddle responds accurately to your movements and lets you play with the full palette of violin expression, just like with a real instrument. FingerFiddle is a musical instrument that you can bring with you everywhere to play, practice, have fun and perform with others. It includes a full collection of fine-tuned instruments from the violin family (violin, viola, cello and double bass). The basic version comes with a cello, and other instruments are available to try and purchase. Wherever you are, at any time, pick one of the instruments and play music for real with FingerFiddle. Who is it for? Anyone interested in music playing can find something in FingerFiddle: - For the beginner, FingerFiddle is an affordable way to experience and enjoy fiddle playing, alone or in group. Play, practice to improve your playing, try different instruments and maybe, eventually, buy a real instrument… - For advanced players, FingerFiddle is a new instrument to discover and have fun with. Use it in your musical productions and live performances, when jamming with others, or just to sketch ideas. - In all cases, FingerFiddle is a musical instrument that is always right at your fingertips, whenever you feel the need to play music. Features: - Natural mapping between movement and sound: your finger is the bow ! - Outstanding sound rendering for a realistic output - Pitch is controlled with a fingerboard on the screen to allow fiddle-specific playing techniques (vibrato, glissando, chords) - The fingerboard is customizable: set its width and the space between notes for a comfortable playing - A specific area is dedicated to pizzicato playing - Inter-App Audio / Audiobus support (generator) - Very low memory requirement: no samples library is used - Inter App Audio and Audiobus support - The basic version includes the Cello from the Classic Collection. Other instruments are available as In App purchases (Violin, Viola, Double Bass, normal or with mutes)
Banjo Sim
This app offers an authentic banjo-playing experience with realistic sounds and intuitive controls. Explore various play modes, customize key sensitivity, and record your musical creations to share.
- Authentic banjo sounds
- Microtonal tuning
- Adjustable transpose
- Reverb and chorus effects
- Dynamic key sensitivity
- Customizable key size
- Multiple play modes
- Built-in recording and screen recording
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Discover the lively, twangy charm of the banjo with Banjo Sim, your ultimate banjo-playing companion. Designed for both beginners and seasoned musicians, Banjo Sim brings the authentic feel and sound of this iconic instrument right to your fingertips. With its user-friendly design and diverse features, you can create, play, and share music effortlessly. Key Features That Make Banjo Sim Stand Out Authentic Banjo Sounds Experience the genuine tone of a meticulously sampled 5-string banjo. Every note is crafted to deliver the warmth and vibrancy that defines the banjo's unique character. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional and experimental scales, ideal for world music and microtonal compositions. Transpose Adjustment: Easily shift keys to match your musical preferences or play along with other instruments. Reverb Effects: Add depth and atmosphere to your performance with adjustable reverb. Chorus Mode: Layer your notes with rich harmonies, creating a fuller and more dynamic sound. Dynamic Key Sensitivity: Play with natural expression—soft presses produce quieter tones, while harder presses deliver louder, more powerful notes. Customizable Keys Adjust the size of the keys to suit your playing style. Whether you prefer wider keys for precise picking or smaller ones for fast strumming, Banjo Sim adapts to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Strum or pick multiple strings simultaneously and enjoy the full resonance of the banjo. Perfect for creating spontaneous melodies and rhythms. Single Key Mode: Focus on one note at a time, ideal for learning and perfecting banjo riffs. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural touch with gentle fade-outs as you lift your fingers, creating a smooth and expressive playing experience. Record and Revisit Your Music Capture your performances with the built-in recording feature. Whether you're practicing, composing, or performing, your music is just a play button away. Share Your Masterpieces Seamlessly share your recordings with friends, family, or the world. Inspire others with your creativity and talent! Screen Recording Capability: Elevate your musical creativity with Banjo Sim's new screen recording feature. Capture your mesmerizing Banjo performances directly within the app, allowing you to effortlessly document your musical journey. Record your improvisations, practice sessions, or complete compositions with a single tap, and instantly share your artistic expressions with friends, fellow musicians, or on social media platforms. This intuitive recording functionality ensures that no moment of musical inspiration is lost, empowering you to preserve and share the unique, ethereal sounds of your banjo exploration. Why Choose Banjo Sim? Realistic Experience: The app replicates the true feel and sound of a physical banjo, making it the perfect tool for practice or performance. Elegant Design: A sleek, user-friendly interface ensures that every musician, from novice to pro, feels right at home. Creative Flexibility: With versatile modes, adjustable keys, and authentic sounds, Banjo Sim puts you in control of your musical journey. Whether you're strumming up a storm, composing a bluegrass tune, or exploring the banjo for the first time, Banjo Sim offers endless possibilities. Download Banjo Sim today and let the spirit of the banjo take you on a musical adventure!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Banjo Sim at Free against FingerFiddle's $2.99. FingerFiddle's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.8) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Banjo Sim is free to download; FingerFiddle costs $2.99 up front. FingerFiddle sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Banjo Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
FingerFiddle holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FingerFiddle has 52 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.
FingerFiddle ships an update every 3 months, Banjo Sim every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FingerFiddle | Banjo Sim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (52 ratings) — better | 3.8 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 81.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 52 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 139 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthias Demoucron | Alper Kahriman |
Customer experience
FingerFiddle
Banjo Sim
Bugs and requests
FingerFiddle
Reported bugs
4 issues- 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
15 requests- Recording capability
- Metronome
- MIDI IN/OUT support
- AUv3 support for DAWs
- Support for Apple Pencil 2 pressure
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- Fretless option
- More instrument variety (guitars, woodwinds, brass, percussion, Indian Sarangi, Viola da Gamba)
- Five-string bass option
- Oversampling for improved sound quality
- Customizable fingerboard pitch settings
- Auto-vibrato mode
- String ensemble sounds
- Vertical bow movement option
- More realistic fingerboard layout
- Ability to choose pitch with a keyboard
Banjo Sim
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
FingerFiddle
- Violin (Classic Collection)$2.99
- Viola (Classic Collection)$2.99
- Violin (Con Sordino Collection)$2.99
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Double Bass (Classic Collection)$2.99
- Viola (Con Sordino Collection)$2.99
- Cello (Con Sordino Collection)$2.99
- Double Bass (Con Sordino Collection)$2.99
- Classic Collection$8.99
- Con Sordino Collection$8.99
Banjo Sim
- Get Premium$7.99
Questions
Is FingerFiddle free?
Is Banjo Sim free?
Which has better reviews, FingerFiddle or Banjo Sim?
Do FingerFiddle or Banjo Sim have ads?
Which is updated more often, FingerFiddle or Banjo Sim?
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