Comparison

FretBoard vs StringPilot

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

Head to head
About

FretBoard

This app serves as a comprehensive reference for string instrument players, offering extensive libraries of tunings, chords, and scales. Users can visualize musical concepts, customize scales, and practice with integrated sound playback. It also allows for personalization of instrument appearance and a clean practice mode.

Highlights
  • Extensive tuning library
  • Visualize chords and scales
  • Customize scales with custom notes
  • Sound playback with tempo control
  • Custom instrument editor
  • Personalize instrument appearance
  • Clean practice mode
Features
Read full description

Discover FretBoard Evolution: The Ultimate Reference Tool for String Instrument Master Unlock the secrets of your stringed instrument with FretBoard, the comprehensive reference app designed for musicians of all levels. Whether you're a beginner seeking to understand music theory or a seasoned player looking to expand your repertoire, FretBoard is your go-to guide for chords, scales, and tunings. Major Features: - Extensive Tuning Library: Over 150 pre-made tunings across 15 instrument groups, including Guitar, Bass, Violin, Mandolin, Ukulele, Chapman Stick and many more. - Chords & Scales: Visualize 68 chords and 83 scales in every key. Expand your musical language and find the perfect harmony for your compositions. - Customize Your Scales: Tap any note to mute it or add custom notes outside the scale. Long-press to change note shapes (circle, square, diamond, cross, triangles) - shapes follow scale degrees, so your visual markers stay consistent when transposing. - Sound Banks & Playback: Listen to scales and chords with the included sound bank. Control tempo with a slider, tap tempo, or pick from musical presets like Largo, Allegro, and Presto. - Custom Instruments: Tailor the app to your needs with the instrument editor. Modify tunings, change the visual aesthetics, and even create new instruments. - Personalization: Choose from various woods, strings, and inlays to customize the look of each instrument to your preference. - Clean Practice Mode: Tap the fretboard to hide the controls for an unobstructed view — perfect for focused practice or teaching. Planned Features: - Add custom scales and chords. - Discover matching scales or chords for specific notes with the "Identify" feature. Who is FretBoard Evolution for? FretBoard Evolution is for every string instrument player who wants to deepen their understanding of their instrument. It's for the curious beginner, the teaching professional, and the performing artist. It's for the musician who never stops learning and for the teacher who always has more to give. How can FretBoard be used? - Learning Tool: Quickly look up chords and scales, and see how they're played on your instrument. - Songwriting Aid: Experiment with different tunings and sounds to find the perfect mood for your music. - Practice Companion: Use the app to practice scales and chords, improving your muscle memory and theoretical knowledge. With FretBoard Evolution, you're not just playing music; you're understanding it. Download now and step into a world where your fretboard becomes a canvas for musical exploration. FretBoard Evolution is free to explore with major and minor scales and chords. Want the full library? Try all premium features free for 7 days, then choose a yearly subscription or grab the lifetime unlock - because some of us still believe in "pay once, own forever." FretBoard Evolution is developed by just a one-person team. A 5-star review goes a long way in supporting indie developers. If you like the app, please consider leaving a nice review. If you find a bug, have issues or requests, please contact info@asv.pt Privacy Policy: https://asv.pt/earthbeat-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

StringPilot

Features
Read full description

StringPilot is a focused tuner and metronome designed for guitarists, bassists and other string players. No social feed, no distractions – just accurate tuning and solid time. The large, clean tuning display shows your note, octave and cents deviation in real time, so you always know whether to tighten or loosen. Preloaded tunings like Standard, Drop D, Open G, Ukulele (GCEA) and Bass (Standard) let you switch setups in a tap. When it’s time to work on your timing, switch to the built‑in metronome. Adjust BPM with fine controls, tap in a tempo you hear, and choose subdivisions to match your exercise or song. StringPilot uses a dark, minimal interface that’s easy on the eyes in practice rooms, studios and stages. Open the app, pluck a string, and get back to playing.

Screenshots

FretBoard4 screens
StringPilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StringPilot at none against FretBoard's 2. StringPilot also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads, 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

Both are free to download. FretBoard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. StringPilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FretBoard ships an update every 4 months, StringPilot every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
FretBoard versus StringPilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretBoardStringPilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTheMM浩铭 顾

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FretBoard

Subscriptions1
  • FretBoard Yearly$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • FretBoard Lifetime$8.99
None

StringPilot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FretBoard free?
FretBoard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StringPilot free?
StringPilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FretBoard or StringPilot have ads?
Neither FretBoard nor StringPilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FretBoard or StringPilot?
FretBoard ships an update every 4 months, and StringPilot every 4 days. Most recently, FretBoard was updated on October 24, 2026 and StringPilot on October 17, 2026.

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