Comparison

Fretcetera vs Tuner Dude

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Fretcetera

This app helps musicians find chords, scales, and progressions for string instruments in any tuning. It calculates optimal fingerings based on playability and user-defined preferences, and can generate chord transition suggestions.

Highlights
  • Chord and scale finder
  • Custom tuning support
  • Playability-based results
  • Progression builder
  • Chord transition suggestions
  • Instrument configuration
Features
Read full description

Fretcetera is musical calculator that uses algorithms to connect you to chords, scales and progressions on a variety of string instruments in any tuning! This is not just a chord book. Fretcetera computes every way to play chords or scales in any tuning, and returns the top results based on their playability. Fine-tune results by configuring your instrument exactly as you play it. Enter personal preferences and constraints. Select from common tunings or create your own! Build progressions to listen to chord transitions, and even get suggestions based on the chords you are playing!

About

Tuner Dude

Features
Read full description

Stay perfectly in tune with a fast, accurate, and completely free tuner built for musicians. Tuner Dude makes tuning simple. Whether you're practicing at home, rehearsing with a band, or getting ready for a performance, it helps you tune your instrument quickly so you can spend more time playing. The app includes built-in tunings for a wide range of stringed instruments. Choose your instrument, select the tuning you want, and start tuning immediately. If you need something different, you can also create your own custom tunings. Tuning is responsive and easy to follow. Clear visual feedback helps you quickly see whether each string is flat, sharp, or perfectly in tune, making the process fast for beginners and experienced musicians alike. Tuner Dude supports standard tuning as well as alternate tunings used across many musical styles. Whether you're learning songs, experimenting with different sounds, or playing professionally, switching between tunings takes only a tap. The experience stays focused and distraction-free. There are no unnecessary features to slow you down—just a reliable tuner that works when you need it. Supported instruments include: • Guitar • 7-String Guitar • 8-String Guitar • Bass • 5-String Bass • 6-String Bass • Ukulele • Violin • Viola • Cello • Banjo • Mandolin • Mandola You can also create completely custom tunings for any stringed instrument. Key Features • Fast, accurate chromatic tuner • 100% free with no feature restrictions • Built-in tunings for dozens of instruments • Standard and alternate tunings • Create unlimited custom tunings • Clear visual tuning feedback • Simple, distraction-free interface • Works for beginners and professionals Whether you're changing strings, learning your first chords, or preparing for a performance, Tuner Dude helps you get in tune quickly and get back to making music. You explore, listen & create - That's the core idea behind Melodic Mind. Let music feel natural again. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://melodic-mind.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Fretcetera4 screens
Tuner Dude4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fretcetera at none against Tuner Dude's 1. Fretcetera also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tuner Dude sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Fretcetera asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fretcetera ships an update every 3 weeks, Tuner Dude every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Fretcetera versus Tuner Dude: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretceteraTuner Dude
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews91.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoel PipherSean Ray Dvir

In-app purchases

None

Fretcetera

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Tuner Dude

Subscriptions1
  • Tuner Dude: No Ads$1.991 Month

Questions

Is Fretcetera free?
Fretcetera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tuner Dude free?
Tuner Dude is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Fretcetera or Tuner Dude have ads?
Neither Fretcetera nor Tuner Dude shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fretcetera or Tuner Dude?
Fretcetera ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tuner Dude every 5 weeks. Most recently, Fretcetera was updated on November 2, 2026 and Tuner Dude on October 25, 2026.

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