Comparison

Ballyland Code 1 vs FretBuzz Progressions

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

Head to head
About

Ballyland Code 1

This app introduces basic coding concepts and skills to children who are blind or have low vision. It uses audio descriptions and sound effects to create an accessible learning experience, allowing users to navigate a game grid and complete coding challenges.

Highlights
  • Audio Based Coding™
  • VoiceOver accessible
  • Tutorial and coding challenges
  • Designed for visual impairment
  • Develops computational thinking
  • Supports tactile grid use
Read full description

Get started on your programming journey today! Children who are blind or have low vision can in this fun app learn basic coding concepts and skills that will be applicable to any programming language. Get introduced by way of the Tutorial game ‘Play with Coding’. Then take on your first Coding Challenge with simple coding commands. Make Wheelie, the little car from Ballyland, move around a digital game grid, on a mission to say Hello to a friend. Audio description and great audio effects are at the core of this innovative app, creating unique accessibility for learners with visual impairment, including adults who are keen to find out what coding is about. This is the first in a series of Ballyland Coding apps. Finger gestures used in this app: Finger drag, Flick left and right with one finger, Flick down and up with one finger, Double tap, Three finger flick left, Touch and hold. Visit the Sonokids website for tips and tools, and for the other fun educational Ballyland apps that help build preparatory iPad/gesture skills. Features: • Beginners’ level, no coding experience required; • Suited for novice users of VoiceOver; • Audio Based Coding™: built-in speech, spoken coding panel, audio description, meaningful sound effects, audio and visual on-screen coding output; • VoiceOver accessible at start page, accessible menus in the game; • Two main sections: ‘Play with coding’ (Tutorial), and the Coding Challenge (three levels) • “Black Curtain” option to create level playing field for all; • Designed with feedback from children with visual impairment, parents and teachers; • Use with Ballyland 3D printable tactile grid, characters and accessories (specifically designed for the Coding apps); • Use at home and school. Develops: • Computational thinking, basic coding concepts and skills, such as breaking problem down in steps, sequencing, patterning, using basic coding commands; • Listening, Locating, ‘Mental Mapping’; • Orientation, spatial awareness and navigating a digital game grid • Experiential learning of VoiceOver accessibility by sighted players “It is so fantastic to be able to offer our younger students something accessible and fun when their peers are already using fun coding apps.” Pam Ayling, Specialist Teacher (Vision Impairment), School Support Service Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Sydney

About

FretBuzz Progressions

Features
Read full description

FretBuzz Progressions is an application for learning and practicing common jazz chord progressions on guitar. It shows chord diagrams for ii V I, I vi ii V and Blues progressions. Blues progressions cover basic blues with two fives and turnarounds and advances to Charle Parker's Blues for Alice. The chords/diagrams listed start with basic chords/diagrams and then advance to chords/diagrams with extensions and alterations (when possible). All chords/diagrams are connected with smooth voice leading. The chord diagrams used are the common chord shapes used in jazz guitar; - Shells - Drop 3 Chords - Drop 2 Chords - Drop 2 & 4 and Drop 2 Chords. The application can play the progression and it's variation you choose along with a metronome. You can set the speed of the metronome and follow along as the playing chord/diagram is highlighted. You can tap on the chord name to hear its sound. Tapping on a chord note will play only that particular note. You can adjust the size of the chord diagrams for your device. There is also a left handed option in the settings. You can think of this application as volume II of my "FretBuzz Chords" app.

Screenshots

Ballyland Code 14 screens
FretBuzz Progressions3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ballyland Code 1 at every 6 weeks against FretBuzz Progressions's every 31 months. Ballyland Code 1 also leads on price ($2.99 vs $4.99). FretBuzz Progressions's advantage is iOS requirement (12 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Ballyland Code 1 costs $2.99 and FretBuzz Progressions $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ballyland Code 1 ships an update every 6 weeks, FretBuzz Progressions every 31 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Ballyland Code 1 versus FretBuzz Progressions: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBallyland Code 1FretBuzz Progressions
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 31 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhia DamsmaAltug Basaran

In-app purchases

None

Ballyland Code 1

No in-app purchases

None

FretBuzz Progressions

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ballyland Code 1 free?
Ballyland Code 1 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is FretBuzz Progressions free?
FretBuzz Progressions costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ballyland Code 1 or FretBuzz Progressions have ads?
Neither Ballyland Code 1 nor FretBuzz Progressions shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ballyland Code 1 or FretBuzz Progressions?
Ballyland Code 1 ships an update every 6 weeks, and FretBuzz Progressions every 31 months. Most recently, Ballyland Code 1 was updated on September 9, 2026 and FretBuzz Progressions on September 10, 2026.

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