Fretboard Sessions vs Arpeggio Forge
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fretboard Sessions
Visualize chord tones and scales on a guitar fretboard in various keys and tunings. Practice soloing and phrasing over a library of high-quality backing tracks that adapt to the music.
- Fretboard visualization for keys, scales, and chord tones
- Customizable tunings and string focus
- Library of high-quality backing tracks
- Dynamic fretboard updates with backing tracks
- Practice exercises for scales and arpeggios
- Randomize backing tracks and exercises
- One-time purchase for all content
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Visualize chord tones and scales in different keys and tunings, and practice phrasing or soloing over a growing library of high-quality backing tracks. Fretboard Sessions is a companion app for guitarists focused on taking their playing to the next level, whether they are working with a teacher, taking a course, or studying on their own. Easily Visualize the Fretboard Instead of having to go through pages of charts and diagrams, you can quickly configure the fretboard to show you exactly what you want. Select a key, show chord tones, scales, or both, and choose to show notes or degrees on the fretboard. You can select from different tunings and even focus the fretboard on specific strings or scale degrees. Play Along With Backing Tracks To help you get better at melodic phrasing and soloing, Fretboard Sessions comes with a library of high-quality backing tracks. There are single-chord grooves, two-chord vamps, common progressions, and more complex backing tracks with extended and non-diatonic chords. The fretboard automatically changes as the backing track plays, making it easy for you to try out different melodies and licks. Each backing track is available in all 12 keys. Practice With Exercises When you want to review your scales, arpeggios, triads, or intervals, simply select an exercise from the Fretboard Sessions library. Each exercise has a specific focus; for example, there are separate exercises for each of the CAGED shapes. Exercises are also available in all 12 keys. Randomize Your Routine When it comes time to practice or just noodle around, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Tap the shuffle button or shake your iPhone to get a random backing track or exercise. You can shuffle between favorites and even get the backing track or exercise in a random key. Support Fretboard Sessions I created Fretboard Sessions to help me visualize the fretboard in different ways, practice over a variety of backing tracks, and use it as a reference when creating my own music. Fretboard Sessions is helping me become a better player, which is why I want to share it with others. All the app functions, along with a set of backing tracks and exercises, are completely free. For a single one-time purchase, you can unlock all current and future backing tracks and exercises. Your purchase will help support continued development of Fretboard Sessions . Thanks in advance! Feedback Appreciated The app is a work in progress, and I'm still learning, so if you have ideas for making it better, you can provide feedback right from within the app. Also, if Fretboard Sessions is helping you become a better player, consider submitting a review on the App Store.
Arpeggio Forge
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ArpeggioForge is a dedicated arpeggio and chord tone practice app for guitarists. 【Key Features】 • "Shell Voicing + Click" Playback Mode Play 1st, 3rd, and 7th shell voicing chord tones with a clear click sound upon selecting a chord! Hear and feel every tap clearly even in silent mode. • Auto-Rotating Chord Progression Presets Includes essential progression patterns such as Jazz II-V-I, Turnarounds, and Secondary Dominants. Progression, key, and tempo auto-rotate every time you relaunch the app! • Rich Tension Chords Supports 15 advanced tension chord types including maj7, m7, maj9, 7(b9), 7(#11), 7(b13), m11, 7alt and more. • Custom Progression Editor Build and customize your own chord progressions effortlessly. • Real-time TAB Guitar Score Visualize playing notes in real time with full CAGED position support. • Arpeggio Pattern Selection Select distinct patterns (3-5-7-9, 1-3-5, etc.) for the first and second half of each measure. • Approach Notes (Passing Tones) Automatically generate jazz-style chromatic and stepwise approach phrases resolving to target notes. • Versatile Rhythm Options Supports 8th notes, triplets, quarter notes, 3/4 time, and 6/8 time. • Simple Real-Time Tuner Instantly measure pitch and cent deviations using your microphone. • Streak Practice Tracker Keep track of consecutive practice days, personal bests, and total days. • Chord Voicings (CHORDS ON Mode) Automatically layout chord tones on the fretboard with shell voicings or 4-note voicings. • BPM Slider Adjust tempo freely from 40 to 240 BPM. 【Premium Features (One-time Purchase)】 Unlock unlimited chord progression save/load presets, complete ad removal, and unlimited playback count. Perfect for guitarists of all genres including Jazz, Fusion, Pop, and Rock. Daily practice habits made simple.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Fretboard Sessions at none against Arpeggio Forge's shown. Arpeggio Forge's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, 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. Fretboard Sessions sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Arpeggio Forge sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Fretboard Sessions ships an update every 2 weeks, Arpeggio Forge every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Fretboard Sessions | Arpeggio Forge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Fretboard Buddy LLC | Hiroto Kashima |
In-app purchases
Fretboard Sessions
- All Backing Tracks and Exercises$4.99
Arpeggio Forge
- Premium Upgrade$3.99
Questions
Is Fretboard Sessions free?
Is Arpeggio Forge free?
Do Fretboard Sessions or Arpeggio Forge have ads?
Which is updated more often, Fretboard Sessions or Arpeggio Forge?
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