Comparison

Banjo Chords Compass Lite vs Chordial

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

Head to head
About

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

This app provides a comprehensive reference for banjo chords, offering thousands of chord tabs for both 4-string and 5-string banjos. It features authentic sound playback, supports various chord types and tunings, and includes options for both right and left-handed players.

Highlights
  • 8,000+ chord tabs
  • 4-string and 5-string support
  • Authentic banjo chord sounds
  • 56 chord types
  • Multiple common tunings
  • Right/Left-handed modes
  • Offline access
Features
Read full description

Master banjo chords easily with the comprehensive chord reference app Banjo Chords Compass Lite! It delivers 8,000 professional-quality chord tabs across the 11 fretboard positions for both 4-string and 5-string banjos! Key Features: + Access to all of the 8,000 chords + Supports both 5-string and 4-string banjos + Play and hear authentic banjo chord sounds + Supports 56 chord types: Maj, Min, Dim, Aug, Sus2, Sus4, 5, and more + All common tunings: Open G, Standard C, Open D, Old-Time D, and others + Right- and Left-handed player modes available + High-resolution Retina graphics for exceptional clarity Built for: + Beginners who want to learn chords quickly + Intermediate players expanding their chord knowledge + Advanced musicians composing, recording, or teaching + Anyone looking for a reliable banjo reference tool Why Choose Banjo Chords Compass Lite: + Instant offline access to the chord library + Professional-grade tool to help you elevate your skills + Available on all of your Apple devices: iPhone, iPad and Mac + Upgrade whenever you want: the Lite Version offers the chords for 4 key notes, if you need the chords for the complete note set, you can easily upgrade to the Full Version Download Banjo Chords Compass Lite to transform and elevate your banjo playing today! Or get the full version to access the complete note set and unlock the full potential of Banjo Chords Compass!

About

Chordial

This app provides a comprehensive guide to musical scales and chord charts for various stringed instruments. It allows users to explore every possible chord and scale, with customizable instrument and tuning options. The application also offers a companion experience on Apple Watch.

Highlights
  • Chord and scale charts for guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, bass
  • Customizable instruments and tunings
  • Interactive fretboard with note playback
  • Right- and left-handed fretboard display
  • Editing mode for creating custom chords and scales
  • Apple Watch companion app
Features
Read full description

Chordial is a complete guide to scales and chord charts for guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and bass guitar. Every possible chord can be displayed on every instrument, in any tuning.  Tap a note to show and play the chord or scale. The fretboard can display both right- and left-handed orientations. Use the Editing mode to create an unlimited number of instruments, tunings, chords, and scales. This app does not display "standard" chord charts; it computes the note positions based on the key, showing every possible place for each note. Use this information to decide where you want to play each chord or scale. The full application also runs on the Apple Watch, with all of the standard instruments, tunings, chords, and scales, but no editing mode. Swipe left or right across the frets to display or dismiss the menus.

Screenshots

Banjo Chords Compass Lite4 screens
Chordial4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chordial at 100% against Banjo Chords Compass Lite's 20%. Chordial also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 69 months). Banjo Chords Compass Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ratings volume (93 vs 7). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chordial sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Banjo Chords Compass Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chordial holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Banjo Chords Compass Lite has 93 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Banjo Chords Compass Lite's written reviews are positive against 100% of Chordial's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Banjo Chords Compass Lite ships an update every 69 months, Chordial every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Banjo Chords Compass Lite versus Chordial: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBanjo Chords Compass LiteChordial
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (93 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings93 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 69 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMax SchleeJim Haungs

Customer experience

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

All ratings90 ratings
Positive71.1%
Neutral12.2%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

Chordial

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Chordial

One-time7
  • Free VersionFree
  • Instruments$0.99
  • Tunings$0.99
Show 4 more
  • Scales$0.99
  • Tip the Developer$0.99
  • Combo Pack$1.99
  • Editing - Pro Feature$4.99

Questions

Is Banjo Chords Compass Lite free?
Banjo Chords Compass Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chordial free?
Chordial is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Banjo Chords Compass Lite or Chordial?
Chordial is rated higher. Banjo Chords Compass Lite averages 4.0 out of 5 from 93 ratings, while Chordial averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do Banjo Chords Compass Lite or Chordial have ads?
Neither Banjo Chords Compass Lite nor Chordial shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Banjo Chords Compass Lite or Chordial?
Banjo Chords Compass Lite ships an update every 69 months, and Chordial every 3 weeks. Most recently, Banjo Chords Compass Lite was updated on October 28, 2026 and Chordial on October 23, 2026.

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