Comparison

Chord Calculus vs DroPilot Pentatonics

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

Head to head
About

Chord Calculus

This app helps musicians visualize and understand chords, scales, and progressions for various fretted instruments. It allows customization of instruments, tunings, and capos, and includes a tuner. Play chords, arpeggios, and scales.

Highlights
  • Chord calculator with fingering display
  • Chord identifier for unknown fingerings
  • Scale display and playback
  • Chord progression player
  • Custom instrument and tuning creation
  • Capo support
  • Instrument tuner
Read full description

ChordCalculus is a tool for players of fretted instruments. ChordCalculus will allow the user to choose from a large number of pre-defined fretted instruments in a variety of tunings. Additionally, the user can define new instruments and/or tunings. Single or multiple capos can be added. The user then picks from one of four operating modes using the segmented selectors at the center top of the display: * (C)hord Calculator: Show all fingerings for chords for a given instrument/tuning, filters, capos, and fret span. * Chord (I)dentifer: For a given instrument/tuning and fingering, display all possible names for a chord * (S)cale Display: For an instrument/tuning, key and scale type, display the scale, and play a two-octave scale * (P)rogression Player: Derived from chord mode, display fingerings for a chord progression. Also plays chords in sequence. In all cases, the chords can be played as a chord or arpeggio and the scale played back. As of version 2.0, an instrument tuner is accessed by long touching the tuning button. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty5eI_DiXhk&t=20s for all the features

About

DroPilot Pentatonics

Features
Read full description

DroPilot Pentatonics helps you master pentatonic and blues scales on guitar, with clear fretboard diagrams and tools built for real practice. Choose major pentatonic, minor pentatonic, major blues, minor blues, or dorian pentatonic. Pick a key, explore all 7 classic positions, and view notes, intervals, or color-coded shapes on the neck. Build chord progressions or use smart suggestions to see which scale fits each moment. Play the scale alone or over a progression with piano, bass, and drum backing. Includes count-in, loop, metronome, and tempo control. Also includes a tuner, pentatonic dictionary, left-handed mode, favorites with backup, and an in-app guide. Available in English and Spanish. DroPilot Pentatonics Pro unlocks advanced features with a one-time purchase. Part of the DroPilot family: Voicings, Arpeggios, Modes, and Pentatonics.

Screenshots

Chord Calculus4 screens
DroPilot Pentatonics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DroPilot Pentatonics at Free against Chord Calculus's $2.99. DroPilot Pentatonics also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Chord Calculus's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

DroPilot Pentatonics is free to download; Chord Calculus costs $2.99 up front. DroPilot Pentatonics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chord Calculus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chord Calculus ships an update fortnightly, DroPilot Pentatonics every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chord Calculus versus DroPilot Pentatonics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChord CalculusDroPilot Pentatonics
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB74 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteven PollackPablo Niveiro

In-app purchases

None

Chord Calculus

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

DroPilot Pentatonics

One-time1
  • DroPilot Pentatonics Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Chord Calculus free?
Chord Calculus costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DroPilot Pentatonics free?
DroPilot Pentatonics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chord Calculus or DroPilot Pentatonics have ads?
DroPilot Pentatonics shows ads; Chord Calculus does not.
Which is updated more often, Chord Calculus or DroPilot Pentatonics?
Chord Calculus ships an update fortnightly, and DroPilot Pentatonics every 5 days. Most recently, Chord Calculus was updated on October 24, 2026 and DroPilot Pentatonics on October 28, 2026.

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