Comparison

Open vs StrumTune

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

Head to head
About

Open

Features
Read full description

OpenShape is a chord and tuning tool for guitarists who go beyond standard tuning. Pick any tuning β€” DADGAD, Drop D, Open G, or a fully custom one β€” 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: β€’ Exact chord voicings for any tuning, any capo position β€’ Unlimited custom tunings (Pro) β€’ Build and save chord progressions, with playback β€’ Built-in microphone tuner β€’ Real acoustic guitar audio for every chord β€’ Dark mode β€’ 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 β€” no subscription.

About

StrumTune

Features
Read full description

StrumTune tunes your guitar, bass, ukulele and more β€” accurately, and completely free. No ads. No subscriptions. No accounts. Nothing is collected, and the app never connects to the internet. TUNE ANY STRING Play a string and StrumTune names it, shows how far off you are in cents, and turns green the moment it lands. The needle settles quickly, so you spend less time watching the screen and more time playing. CHROMATIC MODE Not every note is an open string. With a capo on, on a fretted note, or with an instrument that has no preset, chromatic mode reads any of the twelve semitones instead of forcing your note onto the nearest string. MANUAL MODE Prefer to tune by ear? Tap a string to hear a clean reference tone and match it. Works even without microphone access. 9 INSTRUMENTS, 25 TUNINGS Guitar (Standard, Drop D, Drop C, Half Step Down, Full Step Down, Open G, Open D, Open E, Open C, DADGAD), 7-string guitar, bass, 5-string bass, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, violin and cello. YOUR OWN TUNINGS Set any note on any string, save it under a name, and it is waiting for you next time. Edit or delete it whenever you like. BUILT-IN METRONOME 30 to 240 BPM, time signatures 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8, tap tempo and an accented downbeat. The click is scheduled sample-accurately, so the tempo never drifts. MADE FOR PLAYERS - Left-handed mode mirrors the fretboard - Reference pitch adjustable from 430 to 450 Hz for orchestras and period instruments - Note names as C D E or Do Re Mi - The screen stays awake while you tune - Your instrument and tuning are remembered between sessions Everything listed above is included. There is no paid tier and nothing to unlock.

Screenshots

Open4 screens
StrumTune4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StrumTune at none against Open's 1. Open's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Open sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. StrumTune asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Open versus StrumTune: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenStrumTune
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksβ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size12 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermichael HixCafo Kajmer

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Open

One-time1
  • Openβ€”Shape Pro$9.99
None

StrumTune

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Open free?
Open is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StrumTune free?
StrumTune is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Open or StrumTune have ads?
Neither Open nor StrumTune shows ads.

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