Fretref vs StrumLab Jam
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fretref
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Enhance your guitar knowledge and practice routine with the FretRef app Features: - An intuitive Guitar fretboard simulation with box shape pattern visualisations, auto-play feature and an exhaustive library of scales and chords - Numerous custom tunings for multiple number of strings - Realistic guitar tone generated in realtime, no sample downloads required - Includes a harmonisation tool with scale-chord compatibility chart computation for all chords and scales as a handy feature for song-writers, composers - Includes a virtual jam buddy for your guitar practice with the AutoStrum feature - Create & record backing tracks using numerous chords with variable tempo & rhythms and a plethora of drumloops, or just practice along your lead guitar skills - Custom options include 5, 6, 7 & 8 strings - Right and left-handed orientation - Musical scales include: Major scale with the modes- Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian & Locrian, Melodic Minor scale with its modes, Symmetrical scales, Harmonic scales, Pentatonic scales and many more - Chords includes 5th, Major, Minor, 7th, 9th, 13th and many more along with inversions and slash chord and omit notes option for extended chords - Custom tunings include Standard, DADGAD, Open, Crossnote, Modal, Major seconds, Minor thirds, Major thirds and many more - International notations include English, German, Spanish, Indian, Japanese, Japanese (Romanji), Korean, Korean (Romanji), Cyrillic and French - Premium features include full library unlock, progression & strumming pattern save, and the ability to record backing tracks from the AutoStrum feature (with subscription as well as one time full purchase options) Terms and Conditions (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
StrumLab Jam
Enhance your guitar practice with a vast library of YouTube backing tracks. Visualize your fretboard in real-time, filter by genre and key, and receive practice reminders. Unlock over 1000 tracks and advanced features with a premium subscription.
- 100+ free backing tracks
- 1000+ premium tracks
- Real-time fretboard visualization
- Genre, key, and scale filtering
- Scheduled practice reminders
- Full fretboard view (0-12 frets)
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StrumLab Jam turns practice into a full-band experience. Jam along with over 100 free backing tracks, or unlock 1,000+ with Premium. Filter by style, mode and key, so you're always playing exactly what you want to play. Premium also lets you jam over generated songs. A full band plays a fresh chord progression in your chosen key, scale and genre, and each chord lights up as it plays. WHAT'S INSIDE • 1,000+ jam tracks across rock, funk, blues and more • Filter by style, from Rock and Funk to Blues and beyond • Filter by mode, from Major and Minor to Dorian and beyond • Filter by key • Generated songs with a full band, swing feels and slash chords • A scale fretboard showing the notes that fit, with root notes highlighted • Play the scale or a pentatonic run, and jump between positions • Choose your fret range, from open position to the 24th fret • Left-handed fretboard and a choice of wood finishes • Streaks and badges to track your progress • Practice reminders to keep you consistent Whether you're working on scales, learning a new mode, or just want to play instead of practising alone, StrumLab Jam gives you a band that's always ready, and the visual feedback to build real improvisational confidence. This is where skills become music. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.strumlab.app/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: StrumLab Jam at fortnightly against Fretref's every 3 months. Fretref's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). 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
Both are free to download. Fretref sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and StrumLab Jam sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Fretref ships an update every 3 months, StrumLab Jam fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Fretref | StrumLab Jam |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 1.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Panña Creative Studios | Gary Harkness |
In-app purchases
Fretref
- Premium - Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Premium - Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$18.491 Year
- Premium Lifetime$34.99
StrumLab Jam
- Pro Plan7 Days trial$2.991 Year
- StrumLab Jam Pro1 Year trial$24.991 Year
- StrumLab All Access1 Year trial$49.991 Year









