# Viola Tuner vs FontMaker

The clearest difference is rating: FontMaker at 4.6 against Viola Tuner's 3.5. FontMaker also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 15 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Viola Tuner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (49% vs 33%). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FontMaker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Viola Tuner asks for nothing beyond the download.

FontMaker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 216 and 591 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of Viola Tuner's written reviews are positive against 33% of FontMaker's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Viola Tuner ships an update every 15 months, FontMaker every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viola Tuner | FontMaker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (216 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viola-tuner/id337666107/reviews) | **[4.6 (591 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fontmaker-handwriting-art/id1585603833/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 216 | **591** |
| Positive reviews | **49.5% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Subscription |
| Size | 45 MB | 204 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alvin Yu](https://appshunter.io/developer/310457194) | [5SKay Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1297846437) |

## What reviewers say

### Viola Tuner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viola-tuner/id337666107)

This utility app provides accurate tuning notes for the viola. It plays the standard C, G, D, and A strings to help musicians achieve perfect pitch.

**Highlights:** Plays tuning notes, Viola specific tuning, C string note, G string note, D string note, A string note

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use interface
- 🎵 Accurate tuning for viola strings
- 💰 Free app with no cost
- 📱 Convenient portable tuner
- ✅ Does what it's designed to do - provides reference pitches

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Poor sound quality - buzzer-like or artificial tones
- 🐛 App frequently doesn't produce any sound
- ⏱️ Notes play for only 2-3 seconds before stopping
- 🎵 Unrealistic viola tone - doesn't sound like actual instrument
- ❌ No feedback on tuning accuracy

**Reported bugs**

- No sound output despite reinstalling app
- App shows wrong instrument (Bass tuner instead of Viola tuner)
- Notes stop playing after 2-3 seconds
- Static or recording noise when opening app
- Sound quality degraded after recent updates

**Requested features**

- Sustain or loop function to hold notes longer
- Microphone input to detect and analyze actual instrument tuning
- Ability to detect which note is being played
- Support for sharps and flats in addition to natural notes
- Longer note duration for easier tuning


### FontMaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fontmaker-handwriting-art/id1585603833)

Create custom handwriting fonts and use them across your favorite apps. Personalize your messages and social media posts with unique calligraphy and handwritten styles. Compatible with all applications for a stylish touch.

**Highlights:** Create custom handwriting fonts, Use unique handwriting as a font, Variety of handwritten and calligraphy styles, Keyboard plugin for all apps, Step-by-step alphabet creation preview

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium typing keyboard themes | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Creative font customization with personal handwriting
- 🎨 Visually appealing and expressive keyboard
- 📝 No ads during font creation process
- 💬 Allows personal expression through text messages
- 🆓 Free fonts available for use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires premium subscription ($8.99-$10/month) to use custom fonts
- ⏰ Time-consuming font creation process (30+ minutes) before paywall
- 🔒 Requests excessive permissions including credit card and address data
- ❌ No autocorrect functionality in custom keyboard
- 📋 Requires manual copy-paste for conversations

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when typing
- Handwriting not displaying properly during setup
- Font not appearing on keyboard after creation

**Requested features**

- Autocorrect functionality for custom fonts
- Free tier that allows using created fonts without premium
- Better stylus/finger input detection for font creation
- Clearer upfront disclosure of premium requirements before font creation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Viola Tuner free?

Viola Tuner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is FontMaker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Viola Tuner or FontMaker?

FontMaker is rated higher. Viola Tuner averages 3.5 out of 5 from 216 ratings, while FontMaker averages 4.6 from 591 ratings.

### Do Viola Tuner or FontMaker have ads?

Both Viola Tuner and FontMaker show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Viola Tuner or FontMaker?

Viola Tuner ships an update every 15 months, and FontMaker every 2 months. Most recently, Viola Tuner was updated on October 23, 2026 and FontMaker on October 30, 2026.

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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.*