Comparison

Strumlight vs Fret Theory

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

Head to head
About

Strumlight

This app guides your finger placement on a guitar fretboard with real-time LED lights. Learn chords and scales effortlessly with a built-in song library and lesson plans. Track your progress and receive practice reminders to improve your playing.

Highlights
  • Real-time LED finger guidance
  • Chord and scale learning
  • Built-in song library
  • Lesson plans
  • Progress tracking
  • Practice reminders
Features
Read full description

Strumlight is your personal guitar tutor - right on your fretboard. Attach the slim LED strip to any acoustic or electric guitar neck, connect via Bluetooth, and play along as real‑time lights guide your fingers to every note. No tabs, no guesswork. Just strum and learn. Features: • Real‑time LED guidance for chords & scales • Built‑in song library & lesson plans • Progress tracking & practice reminders • Customizable light patterns & colors Perfect for beginners and pros alike. Start your guitar journey with Strumlight today!

About

Fret Theory

Learn guitar theory, notes, scales, and chords through fun, gamified lessons and interactive quizzes. Track your progress and unlock rewards as you build real guitar skills.

Highlights
  • Gamified guitar theory lessons
  • Learn notes, scales, and chords
  • Interactive quizzes and games
  • Progress tracking and streaks
  • Unlock new levels and badges
  • Structured learning modules
Features
Read full description

Fret Theory – Fun, gamified guitar theory lessons Fret Theory is your engaging, gamified guide to learning guitar notes, scales, chords—and the music theory behind them. Whether you're strumming for the first time or sharpening your theory skills, Fret Theory makes practicing fun and effective. What you'll learn: - Music theory fundamentals - steps, intervals, keys, and scales. - Naming notes across the fretboard - Recognizing intervals on the fretboard - How scales are built and played on the guitar - How chords are built and played on the guitar How it works: - Short, interactive lessons break theory into bite-sized steps - Quizzes & games reinforce learning with fun challenges - Progress tracking shows your completed modules and best streaks - Gamified rewards unlock new levels and badges to motivate practice Why users love it: - Structured modules that gradually expand your guitar knowledge - Hands-on learning builds real skills with every session - Perfect for beginners and theory buffs alike Free to use Start learning for free—no payment required. Key Highlights: - Playful, intuitive guitar theory for all levels - Crisp lessons that fit into your schedule - Quizzes & games to reinforce memory and speed - Modules on notes, scales, chords, progressions & more - Progress path with progress tracking & streaks Fret Theory Pro Subscription Details: Opt for a Fret Theory Pro subscription for full, unlimited access to all learning modules and practice games with no ads! Choose from our annual or monthly subscription options tailored to your needs. Pricing varies by country, with charges applied to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by accessing your iTunes Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited if you cancel before the subscription starts.

Screenshots

Strumlight3 screens
Fret Theory4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strumlight at none against Fret Theory's 2. Strumlight also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. Fret Theory sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Strumlight asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Strumlight against 5.0 for Fret Theory. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strumlight ships an update every 4 days, Fret Theory fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Strumlight versus Fret Theory: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrumlightFret Theory
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAustin KetolaNotewize LLC

Customer experience

Strumlight

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Fret Theory

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Strumlight

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Fret Theory

Subscriptions2
  • Fret Theory Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Fret Theory Pro - Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Strumlight free?
Strumlight is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fret Theory free?
Fret Theory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Strumlight or Fret Theory?
Strumlight and Fret Theory are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Strumlight or Fret Theory have ads?
Fret Theory shows ads; Strumlight does not.
Which is updated more often, Strumlight or Fret Theory?
Strumlight ships an update every 4 days, and Fret Theory fortnightly. Most recently, Strumlight was updated on November 5, 2026 and Fret Theory on October 30, 2026.

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