Comparison

Fiddle by Ear vs Mandolin Sim

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

Head to head
About

Fiddle by Ear

Master the fiddle by ear with this efficient ear training tool. Learn melodies and understand chords quickly, accelerating your musical journey from years to weeks. Practice with your phone or a real instrument.

Highlights
  • Learn fiddle by ear
  • Efficient ear training
  • Understand chords
  • Practice with smartphone or real fiddle
  • Accelerated learning method
Features
Read full description

...continuing the age-old tradition of learning to play the fiddle by ear, now you are able to do it even more efficiently thanks to this app! Learn to express yourself with this beautiful instrument in DAYS and WEEKS instead if YEARS. With our unique learning method you will accomplish just that! This is a very powerful ear training and learning tool for musicians who want a shortcut to fluency on the fiddle. With this tool you will be able to play the fiddle it is meant to be played by ear, any melody or solo, you will gain a very deep understanding of chords and the notes they consist of and are surrounded by, they tell you all about this in lessons, but you never actually get to ingrain it. Yet this is the most important skill there is for mastering the fiddle and play any music by ear. The app allows you to practice with just the smartphone or with your real fiddle. This exercise might look a little bit tedious, but trust us, you will see very powerful results in your music within days of using the app. You could call it hacking the fiddle. Provided you possess the basic notes and scale playing skills (youtube will teach you that very easily), you will learn to play the fiddle by ear in DAYS with Fiddle by Ear, something other musicians struggle for YEARS for and still not everyone gets there. You will. During the first month. How much money would you pay to obtain such a skill? Consider this your lucky day, because you are on your way for real musicianship whether it is your hobby or you want to pursue career in music, this app sets you up for the best results. Even if you prefer to play looking at the notes, this app will greatly enhance your ability to see music, hear the written music in your mind, understand music more easily and even remember music much more easily.

About

Mandolin Sim

Explore the authentic sounds of the mandolin with this simulator app. It offers various play modes, customizable interfaces, and recording features to help you create and share music across different genres.

Highlights
  • Authentic mandolin sounds
  • Orchestral and extra-orchestral tones
  • Customizable interface
  • Three dynamic play modes
  • Built-in performance recorder
  • Screen recording for visual sharing
Features
Read full description

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of the mandolin, an instrument cherished for its bright tones and versatility. Mandolin Sim brings the authentic sound of this beloved string instrument to your fingertips, allowing you to explore everything from classical pieces to folk and modern compositions. With orchestral and extra-orchestral tones included, the app expands your musical possibilities, making it the perfect tool for musicians of all levels. About the Mandolin The mandolin, with its roots in Italian and European folk traditions, has evolved into a versatile instrument featured in a wide range of genres, including classical, bluegrass, and world music. Its unique double-string design creates a shimmering, melodic sound that can evoke both energy and emotion. Why You’ll Love Mandolin Sim Authentic Mandolin Sounds with Orchestral Variety Experience meticulously sampled mandolin tones, from delicate, melodic picking to energetic strumming. Explore a variety of orchestral and extra-orchestral sounds, perfect for diverse musical styles. Customizable Interface Adjust the keys to suit your playing style. Whether you're crafting intricate solos or exploring rhythmic patterns, the app provides a seamless experience. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Strum and pick multiple notes for rich, harmonic layers. Single Note Mode: Focus on precision and learn the nuanced techniques of mandolin playing. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for a smooth and realistic performance. Record Your Performances Capture your mandolin music effortlessly with the built-in recorder. Ideal for reviewing, refining, or sharing your compositions. Share Your Music Easily share your mandolin performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide to showcase your creativity. Record Your Screen If you want to share your performance visually, you can record your screen with an in-app recorder and share it on whichever platform you want. What Makes Mandolin Sim Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every note replicates the bright, resonant tones of a real mandolin, with added orchestral options for creative exploration. Versatility Across Genres: From classical and folk to bluegrass and world music, Mandolin Sim adapts to your style. Elegant and Intuitive Design: A user-friendly interface ensures musicians of all levels can enjoy a seamless experience. Creative Freedom: With orchestral and extra-orchestral tones, the app lets you experiment with traditional and contemporary styles. Download Mandolin Sim today and bring the joyful sounds of the mandolin to your fingertips!

Screenshots

Fiddle by Ear3 screens
Mandolin Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mandolin Sim at Free against Fiddle by Ear's $12.99. Mandolin Sim also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.0). Fiddle by Ear's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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

Mandolin Sim is free to download; Fiddle by Ear costs $12.99 up front. Mandolin Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fiddle by Ear asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mandolin Sim holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fiddle by Ear ships an update every 7 months, Mandolin Sim every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Fiddle by Ear versus Mandolin Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFiddle by EarMandolin Sim
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating2.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB105 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleg SokolovAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Fiddle by Ear

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Mandolin Sim

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Fiddle by Ear

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Mandolin Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Fiddle by Ear free?
Fiddle by Ear costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mandolin Sim free?
Mandolin Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Fiddle by Ear or Mandolin Sim?
Mandolin Sim is rated higher. Fiddle by Ear averages 2.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Mandolin Sim averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Fiddle by Ear or Mandolin Sim have ads?
Mandolin Sim shows ads; Fiddle by Ear does not.
Which is updated more often, Fiddle by Ear or Mandolin Sim?
Fiddle by Ear ships an update every 7 months, and Mandolin Sim every 3 months. Most recently, Fiddle by Ear was updated on October 12, 2026 and Mandolin Sim on October 1, 2026.

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