Comparison

Fretref vs Strum & Sing

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

Head to head
About

Fretref

Features
Read full description

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

Strum & Sing

Features
Read full description

Strum & Sing is a focused practice companion for musicians who want guitar rhythm, pitch training, and voice confidence in one simple app. Start with Songs to find something you can actually play. Browse beginner-friendly English and Bollywood songs, see the chord shapes, suggested strumming pattern, tempo, capo notes, and play-along guidance. Use Strum Studio in Toolkit to lock in steady rhythm. Follow clear strumming patterns, choose count, click, or strum sounds, and build timing at a comfortable tempo. Then move into Pitch to find the home note that fits your voice. Use Quick Detect for a fast starting point, or follow the guided flow to check octave comfort and save your scale. Warm Up turns that saved scale into a daily vocal routine. Start with Breath Control, continue with piano-led Scale Practice, and move into Low Register Exercise when you are ready to work on lower notes. Challenge helps you check whether practice is really landing. Sing scale notes, work on a steady hiss, hold low-register notes, and use Mystery Sequence to train your ear with short daily sing-back puzzles. Toolkit gives you a steady tanpura drone and Live Scale view so you can find your notes against a home-pitch reference when your ear is ready. Built for short, repeatable practice sessions: - Songs tab with chords, tempo, capo, and suggested strumming patterns - Strum Studio for beginner-friendly rhythm practice in Toolkit - Metronome, count, click, and strum sounds - Quick home-note detection - Do Re Mi and Sa Re Ga notation - Piano-led vocal warm ups - Breath Control and Low Register Exercise - Pitch, hiss breathing, low-register, and Mystery Sequence challenges - Toolkit tanpura drone and Live Scale - Clear audio route labels for mic and output Use a few focused minutes each day to build steadier rhythm, clearer pitch, and more confident song practice.

Screenshots

Fretref4 screens
Strum & Sing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strum & Sing at none against Fretref's 3. Strum & Sing also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). Fretref's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Fretref sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Strum & Sing asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fretref ships an update every 3 months, Strum & Sing weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 2 level
Fretref versus Strum & Sing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretrefStrum & Sing
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size102 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPanña Creative StudiosNeha Rai

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
None

Strum & Sing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fretref free?
Fretref is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Strum & Sing free?
Strum & Sing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fretref or Strum & Sing have ads?
Neither Fretref nor Strum & Sing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fretref or Strum & Sing?
Fretref ships an update every 3 months, and Strum & Sing weekly. Most recently, Fretref was updated on October 30, 2026 and Strum & Sing on October 28, 2026.

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