Comparison

SharpEar vs FretBuzz Progressions

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

Head to head
About

SharpEar

Features
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SharpEar provides a fun way to learn to recognize music intervals and commonly used music modes. It features audible and visual examples of intervals and over 30 modes as well as hints on how to recognize them. Take listening tests frequently and track your progress through the statistics views! Take performance tests and the app will tell you how well you are prepared to play modes and intervals on your instrument! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/us/terms.html

About

FretBuzz Progressions

Features
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FretBuzz Progressions is an application for learning and practicing common jazz chord progressions on guitar. It shows chord diagrams for ii V I, I vi ii V and Blues progressions. Blues progressions cover basic blues with two fives and turnarounds and advances to Charle Parker's Blues for Alice. The chords/diagrams listed start with basic chords/diagrams and then advance to chords/diagrams with extensions and alterations (when possible). All chords/diagrams are connected with smooth voice leading. The chord diagrams used are the common chord shapes used in jazz guitar; - Shells - Drop 3 Chords - Drop 2 Chords - Drop 2 & 4 and Drop 2 Chords. The application can play the progression and it's variation you choose along with a metronome. You can set the speed of the metronome and follow along as the playing chord/diagram is highlighted. You can tap on the chord name to hear its sound. Tapping on a chord note will play only that particular note. You can adjust the size of the chord diagrams for your device. There is also a left handed option in the settings. You can think of this application as volume II of my "FretBuzz Chords" app.

Screenshots

SharpEar4 screens
FretBuzz Progressions3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SharpEar at Free against FretBuzz Progressions's $4.99. SharpEar also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 31 months). FretBuzz Progressions's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (12 vs 17.0). On ads 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

SharpEar is free to download; FretBuzz Progressions costs $4.99 up front. SharpEar sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. FretBuzz Progressions asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SharpEar ships an update every 10 days, FretBuzz Progressions every 31 months. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences ยท 2 level
SharpEar versus FretBuzz Progressions: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSharpEarFretBuzz Progressions
PriceFree โ€” better$4.99
Update frequencyEvery 10 days โ€” betterEvery 31 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.012 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size28 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir MollovAltug Basaran

In-app purchases

9 purchases

SharpEar

Subscriptions8
  • Interval Sequences Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Advanced Modes Monthly$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Advanced Modes Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Interval Sequences Yearly$9.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Advanced Modes Yearly$49.991 Year
  • Advanced Modes Yearly$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • Unlock More Modes and Remove Ads$0.99
None

FretBuzz Progressions

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SharpEar free?
SharpEar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FretBuzz Progressions free?
FretBuzz Progressions costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SharpEar or FretBuzz Progressions have ads?
Neither SharpEar nor FretBuzz Progressions shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SharpEar or FretBuzz Progressions?
SharpEar ships an update every 10 days, and FretBuzz Progressions every 31 months. Most recently, SharpEar was updated on October 14, 2026 and FretBuzz Progressions on October 14, 2026.

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