Comparison

Fretref vs NotationPlayer

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

Head to head
About

Fretref

Features
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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/

About

NotationPlayer

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NotationPlayer turns your sheet music into sound. Open any MusicXML or ABC file, choose from over 100 realistic instruments, and hear your music played back instantly — with full tempo control, transposition, and a built-in metronome. Built for trad and folk musicians, with full MusicXML support for classical, jazz, and any sheet music you read. PLAY YOUR MUSIC • Play MusicXML and ABC notation files with realistic instrument sounds • Adjust tempo from half speed to double speed without changing pitch • Transpose to any key with one tap • Built-in metronome with click, woodblock, and bodhrán sounds • Count-in option for a clean start • Auto-scroll follows the music as it plays FIND NEW TUNES • Search over 30,000 traditional tunes from The Session • Browse the ABC Notation archive and Henrik Norbeck's collection • Paste ABC or MusicXML notation directly into the app • 55 sample tunes included — Celtic, Classical, Bluegrass, and Jazz LEARN AND PRACTISE • Tap any note to set a cue point and play from there • Loop any section by selecting start and end notes — perfect for tricky passages • Show note names (C, D, E…) above or below every note — helpful for beginners and for unfamiliar clefs • Lyrics displayed and synced to playback • Swing control for jazz and traditional styles MULTI-TRACK MIXER • Assign different instruments to each voice or part 100+ instruments including fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, piano, guitar, flute, and more • Volume, pan, mute, and solo controls per track • Guitar chord accompaniment from chord symbols ANNOTATE YOUR SCORES • Draw on your scores with pen and highlighter • Add text notes anywhere on the page • Multiple colours and tools • Your annotations are saved with each tune ORGANISE YOUR MUSIC • Build tune sets — group tunes into medleys that play seamlessly • Create playlists with sets and individual tunes • Ensemble mode — add backing instruments to your playlists • Speed control for playlist playback • Favourites and search across your library EXPORT AND SHARE • Export scores as PDF for printing or sharing with bandmates • Export audio as MP3 • Share with other musicians WORKS OFFLINE NotationPlayer works without an internet connection. Your tunes, instruments, and playlists are always available — perfect for rehearsals, sessions, and practice anywhere. Built for musicians who want their notation to do more than just sit on the page. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Fretref4 screens
NotationPlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NotationPlayer at every 2 weeks 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Fretref sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and NotationPlayer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fretref ships an update every 3 months, NotationPlayer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Fretref versus NotationPlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretrefNotationPlayer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size102 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPanña Creative StudiosChorusLogic Ltd.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Fretref

Subscriptions2
  • Premium - Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium - Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$18.491 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$34.99
2 purchases

NotationPlayer

Subscriptions1
  • NotationPlayer Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Full Access$6.99

Questions

Is Fretref free?
Fretref is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NotationPlayer free?
NotationPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Fretref or NotationPlayer have ads?
Neither Fretref nor NotationPlayer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fretref or NotationPlayer?
Fretref ships an update every 3 months, and NotationPlayer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Fretref was updated on September 9, 2026 and NotationPlayer on September 20, 2026.

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