Comparison

FretBuilder vs FretWizard

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

FretWizard

Visualize scales and chords on a fretboard for any stringed instrument. Explore music theory with multiple view modes and flexible note labeling options. Supports custom instruments and tunings.

Highlights
  • Fretboard visualization for stringed instruments
  • Supports custom instruments and tunings
  • Extensive scale and chord library
  • Multiple view modes (Chromatic, Scale, Chord)
  • Flexible note labeling options
  • Sharp/flat toggle and pinch-to-zoom
Features
Read full description

FretWizard is the ultimate fretboard visualization tool for guitarists, bassists, and players of all stringed instruments. Whether you're a beginner learning your first scales or an experienced player deepening your music theory knowledge, FretWizard makes it easy to see exactly where every note lives on the neck. INSTRUMENTS Visualize scales and chords across 7 pre-defined instruments, or create your own custom instrument or tuning: • Guitar • Bass Guitar • Ukulele • Mandolin • 5-String Banjo (Open G) • 5-String Banjo (Double C) • Tenor Banjo • Custom — build any instrument with your own tuning (up to 12 strings) SCALES • Major & Minor • Pentatonic Major & Minor • Blues • Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian • Harmonic Minor • Chromatic CHORDS • Major, Minor • Dom 7, Maj 7, Min 7 • Augmented, Diminished • Aug 7, Dim 7 • 6th, 9th, 11th, 13th • Sus2, Sus4 POWERFUL VIEW MODES Switch between four views to explore music theory your way: • Chromatic — see all 12 notes across the entire neck • Scale — highlight every note in your chosen scale • Chord — see all chord tones up and down the fretboard • Scale + Chord — overlay both at once to understand how chords live inside scales FLEXIBLE NOTE LABELS Choose how notes are labeled on the fretboard: • Note Name (C, D, F#...) • Scale Degree (1, 2, 3, 4...) • Interval (R, M3, P5...) MORE FEATURES • Sharp/flat toggle for your preferred notation • Pinch-to-zoom for detailed fret inspection • Landscape mode for a wider fretboard view • Full tablet support • Clean dark interface designed for readability on stage or in the studio

Screenshots

FretBuilder4 screens
FretWizard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FretBuilder at Free against FretWizard's $1.99. FretWizard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 15 months). On ads 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

FretBuilder is free to download; FretWizard costs $1.99 up front. FretBuilder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. FretWizard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FretBuilder ships an update every 15 months, FretWizard every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
FretBuilder versus FretWizard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretBuilderFretWizard
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon FrauneAlexander Douglass

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FretBuilder

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly premium$1.991 Month
  • Yearly premium$19.991 Year
None

FretWizard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FretBuilder free?
FretBuilder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FretWizard free?
FretWizard costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do FretBuilder or FretWizard have ads?
Neither FretBuilder nor FretWizard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FretBuilder or FretWizard?
FretBuilder ships an update every 15 months, and FretWizard every 4 months. Most recently, FretBuilder was updated on September 19, 2026 and FretWizard on September 27, 2026.

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