# TEFpad vs Strum Machine

The clearest difference is price: Strum Machine at Free against TEFpad's $5.99. Strum Machine also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). TEFpad's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.4). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Strum Machine is free to download; TEFpad costs $5.99 up front. TEFpad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Strum Machine sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Strum Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 118 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of TEFpad's written reviews are positive against 89% of Strum Machine's.

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, Strum Machine fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TEFpad | Strum Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.2 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471/reviews) | **[4.7 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 46 | **118** |
| Positive reviews | 64.4% of reviews | **88.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#149** | #153 |
| Size | 9 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TablEdit](https://appshunter.io/developer/492060416) | [Luke Abbott LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509158552) |

## What reviewers say

### TEFpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471)

**Currently charting:** #149 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app is a tablature editor for iOS devices that allows users to open, display, print, and play TablEdit files. It supports importing various music file formats and offers editing capabilities for creating new arrangements or modifying existing ones. Advanced features and unlimited saving are available through an in-app purchase.

**Highlights:** Import various music file formats, Create new tablature arrangements, Edit and save tablature files, Display tablature and standard notation, MIDI playback with real-time control, Export to PDF, ABC, MIDI, WAV, and Music XML

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TEFpad Pro | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive usability
- 🎵 Versatile for music notation
- 🎸 Excellent for tablature
- 📱 Mobile convenience
- 💡 Powerful features for price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Manual difficult to use
- 🖱️ Clunky interface
- 🐞 Buggy performance
- 💸 Expensive Pro version
- 📚 Incomplete help files

**Reported bugs**

- Rating pop-ups ignore iOS settings
- Pro version disappeared after purchase
- App crashes when printing
- Audio quits playing
- Adding pull-offs creates ties across bars

**Requested features**

- Search function for manual
- Support for Apple Magic Keyboard
- Simultaneous input of text, chords, and TAB numbers
- Ability to change instrument display on sidebar
- Ability to make font larger


### Strum Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553)

**Currently charting:** #153 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Generate realistic backing tracks for practice with real instrument audio. Customize chord progressions, keys, and tempo. Features a large song library, song editor, and band customization options. Works offline and syncs across devices.

**Highlights:** Realistic instrument audio backing tracks, Customizable chord progressions, keys, and tempo, Extensive song library, Simple song editor, Band and instrument customization, Cross-platform syncing and offline mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TEFpad free?

TEFpad costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Strum Machine free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TEFpad or Strum Machine?

Strum Machine is rated higher. TEFpad averages 4.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Strum Machine averages 4.7 from 118 ratings.

### Do TEFpad or Strum Machine have ads?

Neither TEFpad nor Strum Machine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TEFpad or Strum Machine?

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, and Strum Machine fortnightly. Most recently, TEFpad was updated on September 23, 2026 and Strum Machine on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, TEFpad or Strum Machine?

TEFpad currently peaks at #149 in the App Store charts, and Strum Machine at #153. 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.*