Comparison

FretMachine vs Open

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

Head to head
About

FretMachine

This app allows musicians to sketch guitar parts by placing chords on a fretboard and creating strumming patterns. It offers an intuitive alternative to traditional tab workflows, enabling users to build chord progressions and export ideas as MIDI files for DAWs.

Highlights
  • Fretboard chord input
  • Strumming pattern sequencer
  • Chord library with advanced chords
  • Real-time chord analysis
  • MIDI export for DAWs
  • Timeline arrangement
Read full description

Place chords on the fretboard. Sketch guitar parts with strumming patterns. FretMachine is a guitar chord and strumming sequencer for musicians, producers, songwriters, and DAW users. Unlike traditional tab-based workflows, FretMachine provides a more intuitive way to create guitar parts. Place chords on a fretboard-style interface, create strumming patterns in the rhythm sequencer, and arrange your ideas on the timeline. When you place notes on the fretboard, FretMachine analyzes the shape in real time and shows you the chord name. You can also choose chords directly from the chord library and quickly build chord progressions. Once your chords are ready, create strumming patterns on the rhythm grid, arrange them on the timeline, and export your ideas as MIDI files for further production in your DAW. KEY FEATURES • Strum-Based Sequencing Create guitar ideas around chords and strumming rhythms instead of entering notes one by one. • Pattern-Based Sequencer Arrange strumming and rhythm patterns freely on the timeline to structure your song ideas. • Chord Library Supports Basic Triads, 7th chords, tension chords such as 9th/11th/13th, sus/add chords, Altered chords, and a variety of guitar voicings. • Reverse Chord Finder Place notes on the fretboard and see the chord name analyzed in real time. • Fretboard Input Enter and sequence chord shapes while viewing a visual guitar fretboard interface. • Rhythm & Strumming Pattern Editor Design strumming rhythms on a grid using downstrokes and upstrokes. • MIDI Export Export completed guitar parts as MIDI files and bring them into your DAW. FretMachine helps you quickly build guitar-focused ideas, from chord sketches to pattern-based song drafts.

About

Open

Features
Read full description

OpenShape is a chord and tuning tool for guitarists who go beyond standard tuning. Pick any tuning — DADGAD, Drop D, Open G, or a fully custom one — and OpenShape finds real, playable chord voicings across the whole fretboard, not just generic shapes. Add a capo and it recalculates instantly. Every note you hear is a real recorded acoustic guitar sample, not a synthesized tone. Features: • Exact chord voicings for any tuning, any capo position • Unlimited custom tunings (Pro) • Build and save chord progressions, with playback • Built-in microphone tuner • Real acoustic guitar audio for every chord • Dark mode • No account required, no ads Free includes standard tunings, the tuner, and up to 3 saved progressions. OpenShape Pro ($9.99 one-time) unlocks unlimited custom tunings and unlimited saved progressions — no subscription.

Screenshots

FretMachine4 screens
Open4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: FretMachine at daily against Open's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, 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. FretMachine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Open sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FretMachine ships an update daily, Open every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
FretMachine versus Open: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFretMachineOpen
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size227 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKyuhwa Choimichael Hix

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FretMachine

One-time1
  • Pro Unlock$4.99
1 purchases

Open

One-time1
  • Open—Shape Pro$9.99

Questions

Is FretMachine free?
FretMachine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Open free?
Open is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FretMachine or Open have ads?
Neither FretMachine nor Open shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FretMachine or Open?
FretMachine ships an update daily, and Open every 3 weeks. Most recently, FretMachine was updated on October 24, 2026 and Open on October 8, 2026.

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