ApproachNote vs RiffAlly Jam
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ApproachNote
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Every tune has been played a hundred ways. ApproachNote helps you hear them. When you're learning a standard, the first question is always: how have players come at this before? ApproachNote puts every approach in one place — search a tune and pull up the releases that recorded it, with full track listings, artist credits, cover art, and direct links to stream many recordings, where available. Listen to how a dozen players phrased the same melody. Trace who played on what. Follow the thread from one interpretation to the next until you find the approach that's yours. * Search a tune and find every release that recorded it * Full track listings, credits, and cover art * One-tap streaming links to hear each recording, where available * Explore artists and the players behind them * Built for the woodshed — fast, clean, no clutter Before you decide how you'll play it, hear how it's been played. That's ApproachNote. ApproachNote is free for the next 60 days–try it out!
RiffAlly Jam
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Solo with a band. See the scale. Follow the chords. RiffAlly Jam is a guitar practice companion for improvisation, solos and chord changes. An on-device drums-and-bass backing band plays your progression while the live chord display and fretboard guide help you find your next phrase. START WITH FOUR ORIGINAL PROGRESSIONS • Choose Open Road, Minor Horizon, Soul Return or Dorian Pocket • Choose your practice key once and keep it when switching progressions • Edit individual chord roots and types, or reorder the four chords • Each progression loads its own tempo while preserving your band settings • Search by name or feel and make each progression your own SOLO WITH A VISUAL GUIDE • See the current chord and fretboard guide together during normal playback; larger text remains scrollable • Follow the scale pattern, current chord root and other chord tones as the band plays • Swipe the neck from open strings through fret 24, even while playing • Choose Dark Ebony, Maple or Walnut fretboard finishes SHAPE YOUR BACKING BAND • Choose from 14 rhythm styles, including Classic Rock, Dirty Rock, Blues Shuffle, Tight Funk, Jazz Swing and Bossa Nova • Pick Rock, Jazz or Vintage Brushes acoustic drums and Clean Finger, Clean Pick or Upright bass • All instrument sounds are included for offline practice; accompaniment is drums and bass, not recorded songs or guitar parts • Let each chord last one, two or four bars • Start with a count-in, then mute or rebalance drums and bass without stopping KEEP YOUR SETUPS Save jams locally and return to their keys, tempos, sounds and custom chords. In-app Help explains the controls and guide. Saved jams based on presets removed in version 1.1.1 are hidden, but their data remains on the device. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Music practice works offline, with no account or advertising. Jam collects no data. Optional tips and online support links require an internet connection; tips unlock no features and are never required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ApproachNote at none against RiffAlly Jam's 3. RiffAlly Jam's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 10 days). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. RiffAlly Jam sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. ApproachNote asks for nothing beyond the download.
ApproachNote ships an update every 10 days, RiffAlly Jam every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ApproachNote | RiffAlly Jam |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dave Rodger | Fernando Lanner Cardoso |
In-app purchases
ApproachNote
No in-app purchases
RiffAlly Jam
- Small Tip$1.99
- Supporter Tip$4.99
- Generous Tip$9.99
Questions
Is ApproachNote free?
Is RiffAlly Jam free?
Do ApproachNote or RiffAlly Jam have ads?
Which is updated more often, ApproachNote or RiffAlly Jam?
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