Comparison

Fretboard Map vs Scalewise

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

Head to head
About

Fretboard Map

Features
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Fretboard Map helps beginning guitarists understand the fretboard visually. Use the CAGED system, shell voicings, chord tones, a complete note map, and focused daily practice to build real fretboard awareness beyond open chords and the first three frets. A built-in guitar tuner with multiple pitch standards makes it easy to get ready before every practice session. Key features: โ€ข Visual CAGED and shell voicing patterns โ€ข Triads and multiple seventh chord types โ€ข Switch between note names and scale degrees โ€ข Interactive fretboard note learning โ€ข Daily note, ear, chord, and scale exercises โ€ข Guitar tuner with 440 Hz, 432 Hz, and 430 Hz standards Designed for guitarists learning chords, note locations, CAGED shapes, and how to move confidently across the neck.

About

Scalewise

Features
Read full description

Scalewise puts every guitar scale on your fretboard โ€” clean, clear, and instantly interactive. Pick any scale (pentatonic, major, minor, modes, and more), select your key, and choose your tuning. Scalewise maps every note across all six strings so you can see exactly where to play. LIVE NOTE DETECTION Use your microphone to detect the notes you're playing in real time. Notes light up on the fretboard as you play, showing exactly how your playing maps to the scale. ANY SCALE, ANY KEY, ANY TUNING Standard, drop D, open G โ€” Scalewise handles dozens of common and alternate tunings. Switch keys and scales in seconds. Perfect for songwriting, improvising, or learning the neck. SCALE POSITIONS View scales in individual positions or see the full map across every position at once. Build muscle memory and learn the whole fretboard. PRINT YOUR SCALES Print the current scale directly from the app โ€” handy for practice sheets and lesson prep. (Included in the full purchased version.) AD-FREE OPTION Remove ads with a one-time purchase and enjoy Scalewise without interruption, forever.

Screenshots

Fretboard Map4 screens
Scalewise4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fretboard Map at none against Scalewise's 1. Fretboard Map also leads on ads (none vs shown). Scalewise's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Scalewise sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fretboard Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Fretboard Map versus Scalewise: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretboard MapScalewise
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksโ€”
AdsNo โ€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS17.013.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size4 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJialang ZhangFlorian Mueller

In-app purchases

None

Fretboard Map

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Scalewise

One-time1
  • Scalewise Pro$5.99

Questions

Is Fretboard Map free?
Fretboard Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scalewise free?
Scalewise is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Fretboard Map or Scalewise have ads?
Scalewise shows ads; Fretboard Map does not.

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