Comparison

Notey vs Fretionary

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

Head to head
About

Notey

This app transforms guitar learning into an engaging game where your instrument acts as the controller. It offers a fun, structured path for beginners, especially children, to learn real songs and skills through interactive gameplay.

Highlights
  • Guitar as controller
  • Learn real songs
  • Structured learning path
  • Progress tracking for parents
  • Interactive gameplay
  • Designed for kids
Features
Read full description

Most kids quit guitar when practice starts to feel like work. Notey is different. Your guitar is the controller, and the game only works when you play it. Kids aren't doing lessons with game elements. They're playing a game that teaches them music. Created by Grammy-winning musicians. Designed to be fun first, educational always. WHY IT WORKS —————————————— >>> REAL GAMEPLAY Not just gamified lessons. Designed to be fun on its own. >>> REAL SONGS. REAL PROGRESS. Start simple and build toward songs kids recognize and feel proud to play. >>> GUIDED WINS, NOT GUESSWORK A clear path means kids always know what to do next. HOW IT WORKS —————————————— - Place your device in front of you and start playing - Your guitar is the controller — Notey listens in real time and responds as you play - Short sessions. Real progress. BUILT FOR FAMILIES —————————————— Created specifically for kids learning guitar at home. - Structured learning path - Progress parents can see and hear - No lesson planning required - While designed for kids, beginner learners of any age are welcome. WHAT YOU NEED —————————————— - iPhone or iPad - Acoustic, electric, or classical guitar CONTACT US —————————————— - Questions or feedback? Email us at marketing@notey.co - Support: support@notey.co - Privacy Policy: https://notey.co/privacy - Terms of Service: https://notey.co/terms

About

Fretionary

This app transforms your device into an interactive guitar fretboard, visualizing scales, chords, and progressions. It offers color-coded displays and real audio playback to aid music theory learning.

Highlights
  • Interactive fretboard visualization
  • 14 scales and modes
  • 25 chord types
  • CAGED system shapes
  • Chord progression builder
  • Color-coded by function
Features
Read full description

Fretionary turns your entire fretboard into a visual theory map. Stop hunting for scale shapes on YouTube. Stop forgetting which chord is which. Fretionary puts every scale, chord, and progression you need right on an interactive fretboard — color-coded, labeled, and playable with real guitar audio. FEATURES • 14 scales & modes — Major, Minor, Pentatonic, Blues, Dorian, Lydian, and more • 36 chord types with fingering diagrams — Triads, 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, Sus, Add, and more • CAGED system — all 5 shapes color-coded across the neck, with reference chord diagrams • 64 chord progressions — across Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Latin, Motown, Gospel, Classical, Reggae, and more • Progressions builder — Common, Diatonic, or build your own from scratch • Practice drills — Name the Note, Find the Note, String Drill (Beginner to Advanced) • Identify — reverse chord lookup: tap any notes on the fretboard, get the chord name • Progress tracking — daily streak plus scales explored, chords learned, and progressions played • Interactive fretboard up to 24 frets — tap positions directly, focus on any range • Color-coded by function — roots, 3rds, 5ths, and extensions instantly visible • 9 alternate tunings — Standard, Drop D, Drop C, DADGAD, Open D/G/E, Eb Standard, and more • Real guitar audio — sample-based playback for every scale, chord, and progression • Built-in metronome (free) — BPM 40–240, six time signatures, tap-tempo • iPad optimized — full-screen fretboard with side-by-side controls FRETIONARY PRO Unlock all scales, chords, progressions, tunings, and practice modes. • Monthly: $7.99/month • Lifetime: $44.99 one time Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://fretionary.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Notey4 screens
Fretionary4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Notey at none against Fretionary's shown. Notey also leads on ratings volume (242 vs 28). Fretionary's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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. Notey sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Fretionary sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Notey against 4.5 for Fretionary. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notey has 242 ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of Notey's written reviews are positive against 78% of Fretionary's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notey ships an update fortnightly, Fretionary every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Notey versus Fretionary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoteyFretionary
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (242 ratings)4.5 (28 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews — better77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings242 — better28
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size1.2 GB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNotey Inc.Brandon Sumner

Customer experience

Notey

All ratings241 ratings
Positive83.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews122 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral2.5%
Negative13.1%

Fretionary

All ratings28 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

Bugs and requests

Notey

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Levels freezing with mic setting screen open
  • Challenges not starting properly after restarting
  • Informational prompts disappearing too quickly

Requested features

5 requests
  • More song/level variety
  • Customizable curriculum and progress tracking
  • Expanded support for different instruments
  • Offline mode or downloadable content
  • Improved performance and stability

Fretionary

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Notey

Subscriptions7
  • Notey's World Weekly3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • One Free Month Subscription1 Month trial$14.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • One Year Half Off Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Six Month Subscription$69.996 Months
  • Yearly Subscription$99.991 Year
  • Notey's World Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time3
  • Beatcoin 500$4.99
  • Beatcoin 1000$8.99
  • Lifetime Access$139.99
3 purchases

Fretionary

Subscriptions2
  • Fretionary Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Fretionary Pro Annual$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Fretionary Pro Lifetime$44.99

Questions

Is Notey free?
Notey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fretionary free?
Fretionary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Notey or Fretionary?
Fretionary is rated higher. Notey averages 4.4 out of 5 from 242 ratings, while Fretionary averages 4.5 from 28 ratings.
Do Notey or Fretionary have ads?
Fretionary shows ads; Notey does not.
Which is updated more often, Notey or Fretionary?
Notey ships an update fortnightly, and Fretionary every 4 days. Most recently, Notey was updated on November 3, 2026 and Fretionary on October 31, 2026.

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