Having a guitar in hand but no tuner nearby can be quite a predicament. You can easily get around this problem, though, if you have one of the best guitar tuner apps on your phone. With this kind of app, you can make sure you will never be without the ability to tune up. Many of us use the 5th fret tuning method because it’s easy, but it only works if the E string is perfectly tuned to begin with.
The built-in microphone on your phone is used by these apps to hear the notes you play. They work like clip-on or pedal tuners and tell you if your notes are flat, sharp, or just right. Dealing with a slightly out-of-tune guitar can be annoying, but being able to use your phone to get it back in tune is very helpful. Below we have mentioned the best guitar tuner apps.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Guitar Tuner Apps
To choose the best guitar tuner apps, you need to look at a few key factors to make sure they are accurate, easy to use, and compatible. Here are the most important things to consider when picking the best guitar tuner apps:
Correctness and exactness: The main goal of a tuner app is to tune things correctly. Look for apps that are known for giving accurate tuning results. This will make sure that your guitar is in tune with little to no mistake.
Easy-to-use interface: Especially for new users, the design needs to be easy to understand and use. The app should be easy to use and have clear visual signs of how well it is tuned.
Chromaticity and Compatibility with Instruments: A chromatic tuner can tune all the notes on the chromatic scale, so it can be used with many different instruments. Make sure that the app can work with both guitars and other musical instruments.
Getting rid of background noise: Effective noise reduction or rejection of background noise is important for accurate tuning, especially in noisy places.
The following are extras: Some apps have added features like a built-in metronome, chord libraries, fretboard diagrams, and pitch reference tones. Think about what extra features would make your practice sessions better.
Compatibility: Make sure the app works with your device’s running system (iOS or Android) and doesn’t have any bugs or freezes.
Paid and Free Versions: Choose whether you want a free app or a paid one. Check out the features each one has and decide if the paid tools are what you need.
Reputation of the developer: Think about apps made by well-known companies or people in the music technology business. Apps from well-known developers tend to be more stable and get updates more often.
Offline Availability: Some apps can’t work without being connected to the internet, while others can be used without it. Choose a choice that fits your style and the game you’re playing.
Best Guitar Tuner Apps Comparison Table
| Aspect | CarlTune | Fine Tuner | Cleartune | Fender Guitar Tuner | Tuner Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuning Modes | Standard, Custom | Standard, Alternate | Chromatic | Standard, Open, Custom | Standard, Alternate |
| Accuracy | High | Moderate | High | High | High |
| Pitch Detection | Microphone | Microphone | Microphone | Microphone | Microphone |
| Visual Display | Needle, LEDs | Needle, LEDs | Needle, Strobe | Needle, LEDs | Needle, LEDs |
| Audio Playback | Plucked string sound | Reference tones | Reference tones | Reference tones, chords | Reference tones |
| Customization | Custom tuning presets | Custom tunings | Custom temperaments | Custom tunings | Custom temperaments |
| Auto Mode | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Manual Mode | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Calibration | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| User Interface | Intuitive | User-friendly | Easy-to-use | User-friendly | Straightforward |
| Additional Tools | Metronome | None | None | Chords, Scales | None |
| Download | Download | Download | Download | Download |
CarlTune
Features
- Tuning that is accurate and effective for stringed instruments.
- The design is easy to use, and the display is clear and easy to understand.
- Offers different tuning modes and settings that can be changed.
- Offers frequency detection in real time for exact tuning.
Even though the visuals might be too much for some, CarlTune is one of the best tuner apps for guitarists who are used to seeing music notes. As you play each note, a wheel and needle at the bottom show you what note you are on and how sharp or flat you are. It also shows you where the note would be on a stave and where it would be on a piano. The tuner is also very exact; it can tell you the frequency in Hz to two decimal places.
We really like that you can change the sensitivity on this one. If there’s a lot of noise around you, turn the sensitivity down, put your phone close to your guitar, and the tuner should be able to hear it better and give you a more accurate result. If you don’t like the color of the background, you can also change it. Currently, this is one of the best guitar tuner apps you can download now.
Pros
- Accurate and responsive tuning capabilities.
- User-friendly interface with a visually pleasing design.
- Offers a variety of tuning modes and alternate tunings.
Cons
- May require additional microphone sensitivity adjustment for optimal performance.
Fine Tuner
Features
- Supports a wide range of instruments, such as guitar, bass, uke, and more.
- It can be tuned manually or automatically.
- Shows a visual tool for pitch detection in real time.
- Includes extras like a chord bank and a metronome.
This does exactly what it says on the box: it lets you tune your guitar to perfection. This is a great tool for people who don’t care about how the app looks. For each string, it tells you the note you’re playing and the exact Hz reference to one decimal place. This lets you really fine-tune your guitar until it sounds just right. Still, this is one of the best guitar tuner apps you can download now.
At first, you have to press each string’s note separately, but you can change this in the settings. You have a few different tunings, but if you pay to improve, you can get more. It’s not the most entertaining app, but a good tuner doesn’t have to be. Don’t expect the app to help you learn or give you lessons. It’s just a good, accurate guitar tuner.
Pros
- Simple and straightforward interface, making it easy to use.
- Provides accurate tuning results.
- Offers various tuning modes and supports alternate tunings.
Cons
- Limited features compared to some other tuner apps.
Cleartune
Features
- The app is simple and easy to use, and it works very well.
- Chromatic tuner that works for many instruments.
- Includes a big, easy-to-read display for visualizing tuning.
- Offers calibration settings that can be changed for fine tuning.
Cleartune is set up in a way that makes it easy to understand. As you play a note, the wheel at the bottom tells you what note you’re playing, and the measure at the top tells you if you’re flat or sharp. The needle tends to jump around a bit, so you might have to play a note a few times to get it right, but you can still get pretty close. You can also change how the needle dampens, which helps. Currently, this is one of the best guitar tuner apps you can download now.
If you’d rather tune by ear, the pitch pipes are easy to move around so you can find the note reference for each string. You can change the settings to move away from 440Hz, and you can turn on the frequency display to see exactly what frequency you are playing. This isn’t necessary, but music lovers might like it. Overall, it’s a great app for tuning. It’s easy to use, there aren’t too many other things going on, and it’s accurate.
Pros
- Highly accurate and reliable tuning results.
- Supports a wide range of instruments, including guitars and basses.
- Allows for customization of temperament settings.
Cons
- Advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Fender Guitar Tuner
Features
- With Fender’s skill, it was made for tuning guitars.
- There are both manual and automatic ways for tuning.
- It can be tuned in different ways, including normal, drop, and open.
- Includes extra features like chord symbols and a metronome that is built in.
Sometimes it’s best to just go with a big name in the business. Fender’s online lessons for Fender Play got a lot of attention, and this tuning app has some of the same ways to learn, but only if you want them. The tuner is great. It doesn’t get much simpler and easier to read than this, telling you to tune up or down until you’re perfectly in tune. The screen is also nice and big. There is also a different section for manual tuning for people who would rather tune by ear.
When you first open the app, you have the option of making an account. This gives you access to more than 5000 chord diagrams, over 2000 scales, metronomes, drum tracks, and a lot of other features. You don’t have to do that, though. You can skip that part and go straight to the tuner, which is what some people will want to do. Overall, this is one of the best guitar tuner apps you can download now.
Pros
- Developed by Fender, a reputable guitar manufacturer.
- Accurate tuning capabilities with a user-friendly interface.
Cons
- Some advanced features require a premium subscription.
- May have occasional performance issues or bugs.
Tuner Pro
Features
- Supports a wide range of instruments, such as guitar, bass, violin, and more.
- Tuning that is accurate and responsive, with options that can be changed.
- Offers different ways to tune, such as chromatic and alternate tunings.
- Offers a system that is easy to use and clear visual feedback for tuning.
This is a great tuner, among other things. First of all, the tuner is reliable and easy to read. There’s a needle at the top that shows if you’re flat or sharp, and there’s also a manual mode for tuning by ear. There are also different ways to tune a bass and ukulele, as well as a chromatic mode. It’s great to have so many choices, but we know that not everyone will like them all.
Tuner Pro really comes into its own with all of the other features it has. There are also easy-to-read pictures of chords with audio examples, as well as a metronome, which is probably one of the most useful tools for practicing guitar. This makes it easy to change the speed, time signature, sub divisions, and other things. Currently, this is one of the best guitar tuner apps you can download now.
Then there’s an area with jam tracks for you to play along with. There are a lot of different styles, so most people will find something they like. You can even turn down the volume of individual instruments. For example, if you want the backing track without the guitar, you can either turn the guitar track down or take it out totally.
Pros
- Offers a wide range of tuning options and supports multiple instruments.
- Features additional tools like a metronome and chord library.
Cons
- The free version may have ads that can be intrusive.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with accuracy.
How to Use a Guitar Tuner App
A guitar tuner app is easy to use and only requires a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a guitar tuner app well:
- Download and Install
- Open the App
- Select Tuning Mode
- Choose the String
- Pluck the String
- Tuning Indicator
- Adjust the Tuning Peg
- Continue for Other Strings
- Achieve Green or In-Tune Indicator
- Fine-Tuning
- Verify and Repeat
- Complete Tuning
- Save Tuning Presets (If Available)
- Exit the App
FAQs
Yes, these guitar tuner apps are good for people who are just starting out. They have visual cues that help you tune your instrument correctly. This makes it easy for people who are just starting out and might not have a good sense of pitch yet. Some of these apps also have extra learning tools like chord charts and teaching games that can help people who are just starting out.
Yes, both electric and acoustic guitars can be tuned with these tools. They use the microphone to figure out the pitch and give correct tuning tips for any kind of guitar.
It’s best to tune your guitar in a quiet place, but some tuner apps, like PitchLab Guitar Tuner, have advanced features like a spectrum analyzer that can help you tune your guitar even in a noisy place. Still, it’s best to find a fairly quiet place to tune to get the most accurate results.
