# SideBand vs Fiddler Magazine

The clearest difference is price: Fiddler Magazine at Free against SideBand's $2.99. Fiddler Magazine also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 8 months vs every 22 months). SideBand's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Fiddler Magazine is free to download; SideBand costs $2.99 up front. Fiddler Magazine sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. SideBand asks for nothing beyond the download.

Fiddler Magazine holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 2 respectively.

SideBand ships an update every 22 months, Fiddler Magazine every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SideBand | Fiddler Magazine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideband/id721401314/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fiddler-magazine/id1047493652/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 8 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 15 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wil Macaulay](https://appshunter.io/developer/301735019) | [Magzter Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/406791755) |

## What reviewers say

### SideBand

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sideband/id721401314)

This app helps musicians learn songs by ear. It allows users to slow down music, loop sections, and change the key to match their voice or instrument. Import music from various sources like the Music app or iCloud.

**Highlights:** Adjust tempo, Transpose key, Change tuning, Loop sections, Import unprotected music, Supports iPhone and iPad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fiddler Magazine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fiddler-magazine/id1047493652)

This app provides a quarterly digital magazine for fiddle enthusiasts, featuring articles on various styles, tune histories, and transcriptions. It offers subscription options for ongoing access to its educational and entertaining content.

**Highlights:** Quarterly digital issues, Articles on various fiddle styles, Fiddle tune history, Improvisation techniques, CD, book, and DVD reviews, Tune transcriptions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Summer 2019 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine - Fall 2015 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine - Spring 2016 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine - summer 2016 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine - Fall 2016 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine Fall 2017 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Winter 2021 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine Spring 2022 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine Summer 2022 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fiddler Magazine Fall 2022 | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SideBand free?

SideBand costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Fiddler Magazine free?

Fiddler Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SideBand or Fiddler Magazine?

Fiddler Magazine is rated higher. SideBand averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Fiddler Magazine averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do SideBand or Fiddler Magazine have ads?

Neither SideBand nor Fiddler Magazine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SideBand or Fiddler Magazine?

SideBand ships an update every 22 months, and Fiddler Magazine every 8 months. Most recently, SideBand was updated on November 6, 2026 and Fiddler Magazine on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
