Fretboard Map vs Scalewise
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Fretboard Map
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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: โข Visual CAGED and shell voicing patterns โข Triads and multiple seventh chord types โข Switch between note names and scale degrees โข Interactive fretboard note learning โข Daily note, ear, chord, and scale exercises โข 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.
Scalewise
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Scalewise sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fretboard Map asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Fretboard Map | Scalewise |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | โ |
| Ads | No โ better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No โ better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod โ better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jialang Zhang | Florian Mueller |
In-app purchases
Fretboard Map
No in-app purchases
Scalewise
- Scalewise Pro$5.99
Questions
Is Fretboard Map free?
Is Scalewise free?
Do Fretboard Map or Scalewise have ads?
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