Comparison

FretBuilder vs Smartronom

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” 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

Smartronom

Features
Read full description

Smartronom is the app built for drummers โ€” and suited to every musician (guitar, piano, vocals, orchestra) โ€” to practice, prepare a gig and play with precision, without juggling several apps. METRONOME Tap tempo, simple and complex time signatures, customizable accents, silent-bar cycles for practicing without the click, sound library, session timer, count-in before you start. Ideal for working on rhythm and precision every day. SHEET MUSIC Scan, import and organize all your sheet music in the app. Create your own chord charts too. Built-in reader with automatic page turning and repeat tracking (D.C./D.S./Coda). SETLISTS Build your gig running order, move between songs, and change tempo automatically without leaving the playback screen. TOOLS Chromatic tuner (guitar, bass, violin, ukulele...), drone (sustained reference note), tap-tempo BPM detector. BUILT FOR YOU Left-handed mode, background playback, and real accessibility support: reduced motion, high contrast, colorblind-friendly colors, haptic mode to feel the rhythm, screen reader labels throughout the app. Free, no ads. Works offline: everything stays on your device and no account is required. An optional email account lets you sync your Pro purchase across devices (only your email, a device identifier and the purchase receipt are then processed). Optional one-time in-app purchase to unlock Pro features โ€” no subscription. Smartronom: the precision of a professional tool, the simplicity of an app built for the stage and the practice room.

Screenshots

FretBuilder4 screens
Smartronom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Smartronom at every 3 weeks against FretBuilder's every 15 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. FretBuilder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Smartronom 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, Smartronom every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
FretBuilder versus Smartronom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretBuilderSmartronom
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 3 weeks โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.4 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size16 MB101 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon FrauneDamien Vauchel

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FretBuilder

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

Smartronom

One-time1
  • Smartronom Pro$8.99

Questions

Is FretBuilder free?
FretBuilder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smartronom free?
Smartronom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FretBuilder or Smartronom have ads?
Neither FretBuilder nor Smartronom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FretBuilder or Smartronom?
FretBuilder ships an update every 15 months, and Smartronom every 3 weeks. Most recently, FretBuilder was updated on November 8, 2026 and Smartronom on November 12, 2026.

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