Let's face it, there's no substitute for a tuner. No matter how trained our ears are, a tuner assures us that our music will sound its best. However, you may find yourself choosing between an online violin tuner or a physical one.
Well, the key difference between the two is that online tuners tend to be free, but nothing comes without a price.
We aren't suggesting there is anything wrong with using an online violin tuner or an app, especially if you have a quality microphone on your device. However, if you rely entirely on an online tuner, then you're limited to only tuning your violin when you have internet access, access to an internet-capable device, and when you're in a quiet enough setting.
Of course, having a free violin tuner is excellent when you're practicing at home or taking private lessons, but it isn't ideal in every situation.
Moreover, when you use a physical tuner, you will have access at all times.
Assuming you have a violin case with ample storage, you can keep your tuner handy and use it whenever you need to play. You'll also have a designated tuner in every circumstance without needing to load a program on your device, so physical tuners are the better option.However, a free app or website is still great for beginners or anybody in a pinch.