Comparison

FretTools vs Cadence Chords

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

Head to head
About

FretTools

This app offers a precision tuner, an extensive chord library with interactive playback, and a gear tracker for instruments and equipment. It's designed for musicians to streamline their practice and documentation needs.

Highlights
  • Real-time chromatic tuner for multiple instruments
  • 2,500+ chords with 3,200+ voicings
  • Interactive chord playback
  • Instrument and equipment gear tracking
  • Maintenance logging and PDF export
  • Offline functionality
Read full description

FretTools Gear Tracker. String Diagnostics. Tuner. Chord Library. GEAR TRACKER Your gear documented and accessible when it matters. • Track guitars, basses, amps, pedals, and more • Store serial numbers, specs, purchase details, values, and notes • Attach photos to each item • Record string changes with brand, model, gauge, and date • Log maintenance, repairs, setups, and modifications • Export a formatted PDF with gear details for insurance or resale STRING DIAGNOSTICS Know what's happening inside your strings, not just what note they're on. FretTools analyzes six harmonics in real time using phase-shift detection — the same moment you'd normally just tune to also tells you whether a string is going dead, sitting out of intonation, or due for a change. • String Health evaluates tuning stability and harmonic agreement • Intonation analysis helps reveal possible setup inconsistencies • Harmonic Lanes for detailed pitch analysis • Save diagnostic history to a selected instrument • Compare readings across the life of the current string set • Start a new session when you log a string change String Diagnostics is a Pro feature. It runs on the same pitch engine as the free tuner below, but it's a separate capability — most tuners tell you a note. None of them tell you your string is dying. String Diagnostics provide guidance and do not replace a full instrument inspection or professional setup. TUNER — FREE. ALWAYS. Responsive, accurate tuning for guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, violin, and more. • Real-time note and cents display • Strobe-inspired ring for clear sharp/flat feedback • Instrument-specific tuning presets CHORD LIBRARY Find chords quickly across multiple guitar tunings, ukulele, and mandolin. • 2,500+ chords with 3,200+ voicings • Clean diagrams with finger positions • Open chords, barre chords, inversions, and alternate voicings • Slash chords with alternate bass notes • Browse by root, chord type, category, or key • Diatonic chords grouped by harmonic function • Play full chord strums • Tap individual notes to hear them in isolation WHY FRETTOOLS • Four practical tools in one app • Works offline • No account required to get started • Clean, focused interface • Built for working musicians and hobbyists alike FREE → PRO The Tuner is unlimited and always free. Upgrade to Pro for: String Diagnostics • String Health and intonation analysis • Harmonic Lanes for detailed pitch analysis • Diagnostic history, saved and compared per instrument Gear • Unlimited gear items • Up to 8 photos per item • Maintenance and string-change tracking • PDF export Chords • Additional voicings and inversions • Slash chords • Full key-based browsing Additional • Removes ads THE BOTTOM LINE Track your gear. Know when your strings need attention. Find the chords you need. Privacy Policy: https://frettools.com/privacy Terms & EULA: https://frettools.com/terms

About

Cadence Chords

Read full description

Cadence trains your musical ear. Learn to recognise, name and play back chords in short, addictive practice rounds that make you a little better every day. Whether you're just starting with music theory or sharpening skills you already have, Cadence builds the ability that matters most: hearing and understanding chords. PRACTICE MODES • By ear — hear a chord and name its root and quality. • By sight — watch the keys light up on the keyboard and identify the chord. • Root key — listen to a chord progression with a groove and work out the key. (Premium) • Play back — replay the chord you're shown using your microphone or the on-screen keyboard. (Premium) PIANO AND GUITAR Pick your instrument. Cadence plays real piano and guitar sounds and shows the correct shape on the keyboard or guitar diagram. AT YOUR LEVEL Choose which chord qualities you practise and whether sharps and flats appear. From simple major/minor to seventh and extended chords — you set the difficulty. STAY MOTIVATED Keep a daily streak going, earn XP for every correct answer and watch yourself improve. Set a daily reminder to turn practice into a habit. FREE & PREMIUM Practise every day for free. Cadence Premium (€4.99/month) removes the daily limit, unlocks every practice mode, removes ads, and gives you access to all upcoming features. New practice modes are always on the way. Start training today and build an ear you can rely on. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

FretTools4 screens
Cadence Chords4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: FretTools at none against Cadence Chords's shown. On price, update cadence, 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. FretTools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Cadence Chords sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FretTools ships an update every 6 days, Cadence Chords every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
FretTools versus Cadence Chords: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretToolsCadence Chords
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB76 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperwebLuthier, LLCLich Software

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FretTools

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$49.99
1 purchases

Cadence Chords

Subscriptions1
  • Cadence Chords Premium$3.991 Month

Questions

Is FretTools free?
FretTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cadence Chords free?
Cadence Chords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FretTools or Cadence Chords have ads?
Cadence Chords shows ads; FretTools does not.
Which is updated more often, FretTools or Cadence Chords?
FretTools ships an update every 6 days, and Cadence Chords every 5 days. Most recently, FretTools was updated on October 14, 2026 and Cadence Chords on September 30, 2026.

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