Comparison

iFretless Guitar vs MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

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

Head to head
About

iFretless Guitar

This app offers a unique, touch-optimized guitar fretboard for iOS devices. It allows for expressive, one-touch note playing with real-time pitch control, enabling fast melodies, scales, and arpeggios. It's a powerful new instrument for making music, not just a simulation.

Highlights
  • One-touch-per-note design
  • Real-time pitch control
  • Audio unit support
  • Fretless note bending
  • Velocity sensitive instruments
  • MIDI input and output
  • Built-in reverb and EQ
Features
Read full description

iFretless is a guitar fretboard re-designed for maximum playability on iOS devices. It replaces two handed playing and strumming with a one-touch-per-note design that enables fast, precise playing of melodies, scales, and arpeggios and real-time control over the pitch of each individual note. iFretless is not an imitation guitar for your iPhone; it's a powerful new way to make music. FEATURES 1) Audio unit support allows you to connect to a software effects chain or record directly in DAW apps 2) Fretless note bending 3) Velocity sensitive multi-sampled instruments 4) 10 different velocity sensitive guitar sounds 5) MIDI input and output 6) built-in reverb and Eq Sounds: 1) Nylon String Folk 2) Picked Steel String 3) Grunge Telecaster 4) Snarling Synth 5) Bridge-Mid Pickup Bright Strat 6) Blues Neck Pickup Strat 7) Hollow Body Electric 8) Classical 9) Clean bridge pickup 10) Clean neck pickup

About

MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

This app generates MIDI note data to simulate guitar strumming and picking. It includes a soundfont player, definable chord pads, and a pattern editor for creating custom strumming and picking sequences. You can also chain patterns into songs and apply various audio effects.

Highlights
  • Simulate guitar strumming and picking
  • Generate MIDI note data
  • Import and use soundfonts (.SF2, .DLS)
  • 16 definable chord pads
  • Pattern editor for creating sequences
  • Song mode to chain patterns
  • 6 and 12 string emulation
  • Built-in audio effects
Features
Read full description

MIDI Strummer is an AUv3 plugin designed to simulate guitar strumming and picking techniques. It can used to generate MIDI note data which can be sent to either an external synth of choice or the internal soundfont engine.  The inbuilt soundfont player allows you to import all your favourite .SF2 and .DLS soundfonts and use them as a sound source. MIDI strummer has a set of 16 definable chord pads that can hold a series of chords, which in turn can be triggered remotely via MIDI messages or by tapping the pads. Use the pattern editor to create a series of picking or strumming patterns that can be tranposed to the selected chord pad.  Song mode allows you to chain these chord patterns together to form songs combining both picking and strumming patterns within the same song. Enable 6/12 string on a particular part to emphesize a pert by adding depth. Strummer also features a number of audio effects that can be used to enhance the audio from the soundfont player. These include overdrive, distortion, tremolo, chorus, phaser, graphic EQ, digital delay and reverb. Key Features: • 6 and 12 string emulations. • Simulate strum up/down with variable speeds. • Create patterns up to 64 steps in length. • Load up to 6 pattern variations. • Ramdomize and rotate options. • Songs can be up to 255 steps in length. • Built in ARP function. • Import your own soundfonts. • 8 different effect types (reverb, delay, phaser, chorus, overdrive, distortion, tremelo and EQ). • Paramter Automation from your DAW using MIDI. • Built in Sampler. • Comprehensive Help pages included. Please Note: This version is now compatible with GarageBand running on iOS14.

Screenshots

iFretless Guitar4 screens
MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iFretless Guitar at 4.7 against MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin's 4.3. iFretless Guitar also leads on price ($9.99 vs $12.99). MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 55%) and ratings volume (51 vs 11). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

iFretless Guitar costs $9.99 and MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iFretless Guitar holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 51 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of iFretless Guitar's written reviews are positive against 75% of MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iFretless Guitar ships an update every 2 months, MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iFretless Guitar versus MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriFretless GuitarMIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin
Price$9.99 — better$12.99
Rating4.7 (11 ratings) — better4.3 (51 ratings)
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews75.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1151 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size201 MB386 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited4Pockets.com

Customer experience

iFretless Guitar

All ratings29 ratings
Positive79.3%
Neutral3.4%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral12.1%
Negative33.3%

MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

All ratings51 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral9.8%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral11.5%
Negative13.1%

User reviews

iFretless Guitar

From 11 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎸 Professional-grade electric guitar sound
  • 🎛️ Excellent MIDI controller capabilities
  • 🎶 Expressive and beautiful sounds
  • 💡 Innovative fretboard interface
  • 🎹 Playable without keyboard skills

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔌 Issues with Audiobus/Auria Pro
  • 🔊 No sound issues reported
  • 📉 Sound quality not always convincing
  • 🤔 Strumming is tricky and unique

MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

From 51 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app for guitar tracks
  • 💡 Versatile arpeggiator
  • 🎶 Excellent sound quality
  • 🎹 Capable soundfont player
  • 🎵 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • ⚠️ Suspicious support website
  • 📉 Limited control over swing/triplet tempo
  • ❓ Difficult to get MIDI out
  • 🖱️ Clunky UI

Bugs and requests

iFretless Guitar

Reported bugs

37 issues
  • App keeps crashing
  • Crashes after 5 minutes in Audiobus3
  • Crashes with background audio
  • DSP jumps high
  • App crashes upon opening
Show 32 more
  • AUv3 not loading in AUM
  • No sound at all
  • Audio output muted when app starts
  • No sound on iPad Air
  • No sound on iPad Air with latest iOS
  • Reverb only sound
  • Crashes anytime (standalone or IAA)
  • Doesn't show in Audiobus anymore
  • IAA instrument loading error
  • Audiobus icon unresponsive
  • App falls immediately when standalone
  • No guitar presets, all bugged
  • DSP jumps high, trash
  • Update caused problems with Audiobus
  • Distorted graphics
  • No audio sometimes
  • App does not work well on iPad Pro / iOS14
  • Config right panel disappeared
  • No sound in Auria Pro
  • MIDI is broken in Auria Pro
  • App crashes on iPad 5th gen with iOS 12.4
  • App crashes on iPad Air 5
  • App crashes on iPad Pro 2022
  • App crashes on iPad Air, iOS 7.1.2
  • App crashes on iPad Air II
  • App crashes on iPad 2 iOS 7.1
  • App crashes on iPad 5th gen with iOS 12.4
  • App crashes on iPad Air 5
  • App crashes on iPad Pro 2022
  • App crashes on iPad Air, iOS 7.1.2
  • App crashes on iPad Air II
  • App crashes on iPad 2 iOS 7.1

Requested features

37 requests
  • AUv3 support
  • Strumming coordinates
  • Ability to play loose strings
  • Open tunings with extensions
  • Lap Steel / Dobro Tunings
Show 32 more
  • Fix guitar tuning wonkiness
  • Longer recording length
  • Scale overlay for learning
  • Ability to pick chords
  • MPE compatibility
  • Lock UI rotation for AUv3
  • Save presets
  • Adjustable attack and release times
  • Palm muting
  • Remember last session settings
  • Add drum machine beats
  • Improve sound quality
  • Add more presets
  • Scale selector with markers
  • Polyphonic mode
  • Customizable note range
  • Different MIDI channels for chords
  • Add violin or trumpet instruments
  • Make app compatible with latest iOS versions
  • Add advanced features like other apps in the suite
  • Make it compatible with iOS 17
  • Make it compatible with iOS 14
  • Make it compatible with iOS 8
  • Make it compatible with iOS 12.4
  • Make it compatible with iOS 7.1.2
  • Make it compatible with iOS 16
  • Make it compatible with iOS 17
  • Make it compatible with iOS 14
  • Make it compatible with iOS 8
  • Make it compatible with iOS 12.4
  • Make it compatible with iOS 7.1.2
  • Make it compatible with iOS 16

MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App support is not opening
  • App support website is gone/suspicious
  • App keeps crashing when hosted in AUM
  • Plugin corrupts entire track and makes project impossible to open
  • Crashes constantly when used in AUM
Show 10 more
  • Latest update causes failed to load in IMPC pro 2 and standalone
  • App crashes and help function doesn't work
  • Audio unit extension quit messages
  • Crashes when selecting a preset
  • Soundfonts not working when loaded as an instrument in AUM
  • Sometimes stops all internal sounds
  • Pop up menus not accessible for VoiceOver
  • MIDI channel out returns to default on every startup
  • Chords bug out and change half the chord in latch mode
  • Preset/chords would not save in AUM

Requested features

34 requests
  • Include pattern lengths of 3, 5, 7
  • Piano to guitar chords and manual strumming
  • Offset notes in pattern editor for swing/triplet tempos
  • Add swing/humanize to patterns
  • Functionality for capo or real-time key change with MIDI
Show 29 more
  • Pattern latch function in real-time with MIDI
  • More guitar sounds and strum patterns
  • Optimize for M1 Macs
  • Save and export patterns to MIDI
  • Tap or strum patterns manually and record
  • Interface similar to Helium for saving/exporting MIDI
  • Interface reminiscent of Guitarism
  • Stronger colors for chosen/played chords
  • Modulation in song creation (change key)
  • Access MIDI parameters in Piano to Guitar mode
  • More detailed documentation on chord formation
  • Ability to reorder saved settings
  • MIDI learn for CC messages
  • Add more layers of pads for chords (7ths, sus, etc.)
  • Double size pad page for more chords
  • MIDI in functionality
  • Ability to touch fretboard for custom chords/voicings
  • Construct chords from scratch
  • Control over pedal damping
  • Add open tunings
  • Change chords on every half and quarter beat
  • Display current preset name at the top
  • Add bend of notes and note sustain
  • Improve interface for ARP/strum grid to match guitar tabs
  • Save chord chains, chord pads, and custom strumming patterns separately
  • Include custom chords in future versions
  • More Soundfont files
  • More presets
  • Faster BPM adjustment

In-app purchases

None

iFretless Guitar

No in-app purchases

None

MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iFretless Guitar free?
iFretless Guitar costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin free?
MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iFretless Guitar or MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin?
iFretless Guitar is rated higher. iFretless Guitar averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin averages 4.3 from 51 ratings.
Do iFretless Guitar or MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin have ads?
Neither iFretless Guitar nor MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iFretless Guitar or MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin?
iFretless Guitar ships an update every 2 months, and MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin every 6 weeks. Most recently, iFretless Guitar was updated on November 1, 2026 and MIDI Strummer AUv3 Plugin on November 7, 2026.

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