# Fretboard Learning vs Note Bubbles

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Note Bubbles at none against Fretboard Learning's 2. Fretboard Learning's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, review sentiment and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Fretboard Learning sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Note Bubbles asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Fretboard Learning against 4.7 for Note Bubbles. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fretboard Learning has 485 ratings behind it against 51, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Fretboard Learning's written reviews are positive against 75% of Note Bubbles's.

Fretboard Learning ships an update every 3 days, Note Bubbles every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fretboard Learning | Note Bubbles |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (485 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretboard-learning/id1554316449/reviews) | [4.7 (51 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-bubbles-a-music-game/id6753315568/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **485** | 51 |
| Positive reviews | 69.8% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #97 | **#96** |
| Size | 38 MB | 276 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mustapha AOUAS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553171747) | [Ensemble Education](https://appshunter.io/developer/1746859300) |

## What reviewers say

### Fretboard Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretboard-learning/id1554316449)

**Currently charting:** #97 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Master the guitar fretboard with interactive games and comprehensive learning tools. Practice your ear, learn hundreds of chords and scales, and customize your learning experience with various tunings and modes. Track your progress with detailed statistics and explore music harmony.

**Highlights:** Educational games for fretboard notes, Learn over 500 chords, Master all scales in different boxes, Customizable tunings, Left-handed mode, Interactive Circle of Fifths, Metronome

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Access Package | $1.49 | per month |
| All Access Package | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🎮 Fun and engaging game mechanics
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase ($10 lifetime)
- 🔒 Strong privacy policy and ethical practices
- ⚡ Effective fretboard learning tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sound feature produces generic beep instead of guitar notes
- 🐛 Audio identify-by-sound feature frequently non-functional
- 💳 Confusing pricing model and subscription confusion
- 🔐 Left-handed mode locked behind paywall
- 📱 Vertical-only orientation doesn't match guitar playing position

**Reported bugs**

- Identify by sound produces no audio or disturbing beep sound
- Notes on lower half of fretboard not selectable
- Missing button for sharps/flats (D# not available when shown)
- Low E string gets stuck on D in custom tuning setup
- Broken links to Twitter and website in about section

**Requested features**

- Octave differentiation (C1, C2, C3, etc.)
- Support for different number of strings and instruments (bass)
- Actual guitar note sounds instead of generic beep
- Horizontal/landscape orientation support
- Ability to select specific frets and notes in all game modes


### Note Bubbles

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-bubbles-a-music-game/id6753315568)

**Currently charting:** #96 Top Grossing · Music, #142 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

This game challenges you to listen to melodies and replicate them on a keyboard to pop bubbles. It's designed for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced musicians, offering a fun way to improve ear training and melody memory.

**Highlights:** Listen to musical sequences, Replicate melodies on a keyboard, Pop bubbles to clear the board, Evolving difficulty challenges, Unlock new worlds and sounds, Improve ear training and melody memory

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fretboard Learning free?

Fretboard Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Note Bubbles free?

Note Bubbles is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Fretboard Learning or Note Bubbles?

Fretboard Learning and Note Bubbles are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 485 and 51 ratings respectively.

### Do Fretboard Learning or Note Bubbles have ads?

Note Bubbles shows ads; Fretboard Learning does not.

### Which is updated more often, Fretboard Learning or Note Bubbles?

Fretboard Learning ships an update every 3 days, and Note Bubbles every 10 days. Most recently, Fretboard Learning was updated on September 23, 2026 and Note Bubbles on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Fretboard Learning or Note Bubbles?

Fretboard Learning currently peaks at #97 in the App Store charts, and Note Bubbles at #96. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*