Comparison

FretBuilder vs Fretwise

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

Head to head
About

FretBuilder

Features
Read full description

Grow as a musician by visualizing notes on your instrument's fretboard. With this app, you can view some (or all) of your instrument's fretboard, tap to hear pitches at any string/fret, and use overlays to help you quickly identify pitches. The app supports multiple fretted string instruments, including guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele. It also features some of the most common preset tunings. Some advanced features of the app are enabled with a subscription, including custom fretboard designs (via photo library selection), custom instrument tunings, and a special overlay mode that lets you tap any position on the fretboard to see the individual pitch! More features are planned, so keep your eyes peeled and your instruments tuned! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Fretwise

Features
Read full description

Fretwise is the ultimate guitar companion app with everything you need to learn, practice, and play better guitar. GUITAR TUNER • Accurate pitch detection with visual gauge • See how sharp or flat you are in real-time • Clean, intuitive analog-style display • Works with acoustic and electric guitars METRONOME • Adjustable tempo from 20 to 300 BPM • Multiple beat patterns (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 beats) • Visual beat indicator • Tap tempo support CHORD LIBRARY • Extensive chord voicing collection • Multiple fingering positions for each chord • Clear fretboard diagrams with finger positions • Barre chord indicators • Major, minor, 7th chords and more VISUALIZE ANY SCALE • Over 40 scales including major, minor, pentatonic, blues, modes, and exotic scales • See notes displayed across the entire fretboard • Choose between note names or scale degrees • Overlay two scales to compare — see shared and unique notes at a glance CAGED SYSTEM • Learn the 5 CAGED positions for any scale • Navigate between positions with ease • Understand how patterns connect across the neck 3 NOTES PER STRING • Practice efficient picking patterns • 7 positions covering the entire fretboard • Perfect for speed and technique development DIATONIC TRIADS • See all triads within any scale • Roman numeral notation (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°) • Understand chord-scale relationships FEATURES • Clean, intuitive interface • Light and dark mode support • Left-handed mode • Full VoiceOver accessibility • Works offline Whether you're a beginner learning your first chord or an advanced player exploring exotic modes, Fretwise is your complete guitar practice companion.

Screenshots

FretBuilder4 screens
Fretwise4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Fretwise at weekly against FretBuilder's every 15 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. FretBuilder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Fretwise sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FretBuilder ships an update every 15 months, Fretwise weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
FretBuilder versus Fretwise: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretBuilderFretwise
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon FrauneSebastian Bolling

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FretBuilder

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly premium$1.991 Month
  • Yearly premium$19.991 Year
1 purchases

Fretwise

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$2.99

Questions

Is FretBuilder free?
FretBuilder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fretwise free?
Fretwise is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FretBuilder or Fretwise have ads?
Neither FretBuilder nor Fretwise shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FretBuilder or Fretwise?
FretBuilder ships an update every 15 months, and Fretwise weekly. Most recently, FretBuilder was updated on September 19, 2026 and Fretwise on September 9, 2026.

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