Comparison

bFaaaP Pro & Switch vs GuitarPal

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

Head to head
About

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

This app works with a special device to allow individuals with leg disabilities, young children, and the elderly to play the piano with sustained tones using head movements. An iOS device detects head motion and transmits signals to activate an electric piano pedal.

Highlights
  • Head motion detection via iOS device
  • Sustained piano tones without foot pedal
  • Electric piano pedal activation
  • Accessibility for leg disabilities
  • User-friendly setup guide
Features
Read full description

bFaaaP Pro & Switch turns head movements into piano sustain-pedal control, so you can play the pedal completely foot-free. It is the companion app for the bFaaaP barrier-free assist pedals β€” one app that drives two devices, depending on your instrument: - bFaaaP Pro (acoustic pianos): a motorized device that physically presses the real sustain pedal. It anchors with an inflatable "airback" β€” non-destructive, no bolting β€” and self-calibrates. - bFaaaP Switch (digital pianos): switches the sustain electronically through the pedal jack. Small, light and motor-free. Using the front camera, the app detects the angle of your head and converts it into pedal ON/OFF signals, sent over Bluetooth Low Energy to the bFaaaP device on your instrument. The same head-angle control works for both devices. This lets people who cannot use a foot pedal β€” including wheelchair users and players with limited leg mobility β€” enjoy expressive, pedal-based performance. WHO IT IS FOR - Pianists who cannot operate a foot pedal - Music therapy, special-needs and inclusive music education - Anyone exploring accessible, barrier-free music making HOW IT WORKS - Detects head angle with the front TrueDepth camera (ARKit face tracking) - Converts the angle into sustain pedal ON/OFF - Sends the signal over Bluetooth Low Energy to bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch PRIVACY - The camera is used ONLY to read your head/face angle. - That value is processed on-device, used to generate the pedal signal, then discarded. - No face data, image or video is stored or shared with anyone. AN OPEN-SOURCE PROJECT bFaaaP is an open-source, open-hardware barrier-free project by Shishido & Associates. The source code, hardware build details, the story behind it, and ways to contribute are public: - Project & community: https://bfaaap.com - Source code (open source): https://github.com/bfaaap/bfaaap_opensource - Developer & related services: https://saaipf.com SEE IT IN ACTION Watch bFaaaP being played in real concerts and recitals, with setup and how-to guides: - How the system works (overview): https://youtu.be/iyRqPa8TLgE - Live concert β€” grand piano + bFaaaP Pro: https://youtu.be/V3cXeNW9jXY - How to use bFaaaP Switch (electronic piano): https://youtu.be/XOVENtBsOp4 - Full performance & demo collection (English): https://saaipf.com/en/bfaaap/#videos - Build & set up your own β€” step-by-step guide (English): https://bfaaap.com/en/build/ - All videos (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAvTy1k8rHs2WrEKPx1amg The app's source code is open and free on GitHub, so anyone can build and run it themselves. This App Store version is free, too β€” just install it and start playing. If you would like to help keep bFaaaP free and open for everyone, donations and support are always welcome (see the links above and at saaipf.com). Thank you for your support. You will need a bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch device to control a real pedal. Both are open hardware β€” visit bfaaap.com to learn how they are built and how to take part.

About

GuitarPal

Features
Read full description

Guitar practice can easily become unfocused: you pick up your guitar, play whatever comes to mind, and lose track of what you intended to work on. GuitarPal helps you turn those moments into structured practice sessions. Plan what to work on, stay focused while you play, and track your progress over timeβ€”all without unnecessary distractions. PRACTICE YOUR WAY β€’ Start a free or timed practice session β€’ Begin instantly or set a specific duration β€’ Adjust your practice settings at any time STAY FOCUSED β€’ Use the built-in metronome β€’ Practice with optional backing tracks β€’ Organize multiple exercises into a clear sequence β€’ Add notes and reminders to each exercise TRACK YOUR PROGRESS β€’ Log your practice automatically β€’ Review your total practice time and practice days β€’ Follow your streaks and build a more consistent routine BUILT FOR GUITAR PLAYERS GuitarPal is for players who want more structure without more complexityβ€”whether you are building a new practice habit or improving an existing routine. It is not a course library or content platform. It is a focused, reliable companion that helps you make each practice session count. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

bFaaaP Pro & Switch4 screens
GuitarPal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: GuitarPal at fortnightly against bFaaaP Pro & Switch's every 20 months. bFaaaP Pro & Switch's advantage is iOS requirement (14.5 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, GuitarPal fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 5 level
bFaaaP Pro & Switch versus GuitarPal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterbFaaaP Pro & SwitchGuitarPal
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsFortnightly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.5 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size1 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomoyuki Shishidoζ–‡ζ΅· θ΅΅

In-app purchases

None

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

No in-app purchases

None

GuitarPal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is bFaaaP Pro & Switch free?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GuitarPal free?
GuitarPal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do bFaaaP Pro & Switch or GuitarPal have ads?
Neither bFaaaP Pro & Switch nor GuitarPal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bFaaaP Pro & Switch or GuitarPal?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, and GuitarPal fortnightly. Most recently, bFaaaP Pro & Switch was updated on October 21, 2026 and GuitarPal on October 25, 2026.

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