Comparison

ChordPainter vs VinylScratch

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

Head to head
About

ChordPainter

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Chordpainter creates songbooks of piano songs as chord diagrams without any knowledge of music notes. What has always been standard for guitarists, Chordpainter now also creates this for piano players. Simply input chords via midi or enter them manually. The chords are automatically recognized and can be edited or renamed as desired. Then simply print or export as pictures, by email or into Dropbox. All features in an overview: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Creation of chord images with up to 10 notes per chord - Automatic recognition of chords separated for the left and right hand - Input chords manually or via MIDI keyboard - Automatic detection of Midi inputs and display of the Midi source - Bluetooth Midi adapters from Yamaha or QuiccoSound are also supported - Transfer a chord to the current song via button or MIDI trigger - Piano is fully playable with sound, either manually or via MIDI input - Clear button to remove all entered notes - Free definable Midi trigger (setting is stored) - Complete online manual available in the App - Notes, program changes or controller (pedal) are accepted as Midi trigger - Midi Analyzer in the main display for all incoming MIDI events - Intelligent mode to assign chords to the right and left hand - Display of the intervals, separated for chords of the right and left hand - All chords in the song can be sorted using Drag & Drop - Language in the APP can be switched between English and German - Chords can be edited, renamed or deleted also after creation - Optimized user interface for all iPad sizes - When naming the chords, there are buttons for common chord suffixes - Chord images optimized for high-resolution printing on laser printers in grayscale - Songbook view to display all the chords of a song large on one page with Midi scrolling - PDF Export for all songs and demo songs to printout or for use in other APPs - Sound output with real sampled piano sounds including velocity - Sound can be enabled or disabled (setting is saved) - Export der Akkordbilder in die Bilder Gallery oder Dropbox - Constantly expanded list of demo songs, partial with songbook PDFs - Song library with an unlimited number of songs - List view with all songs plus number of chords in the song - Songs can be created, copied, renamed or loaded for editing - Export of chord images to the Gallery or Dropbox - You can also export by email (default email address stored) - Automatic backup of the song library when export by mail or dropbox - Restore the song library with "Open in" function in iOS

About

VinylScratch

Transform your device into a professional DJ scratch instrument. Load samples, control them with realistic vinyl physics, and shape sounds with live effects. Record and share your creations, or use it as an AUv3 plugin in your favorite music production apps.

Highlights
  • Realistic vinyl physics engine
  • Live XY effects pad
  • Cut and reverse playback
  • Cue points and looping
  • WAV recording and sharing
  • AUv3 plugin support
Features
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VinylScratch turns your iPhone into a real scratch instrument. Load any audio sample and control it like a record — scratch, cut, loop, cue, and shape the sound with live effects — all with your fingers on the touchscreen. Whether you're a turntablist practicing cuts without decks, a producer sketching DJ-style arrangements, or a beatmaker who wants tactile sample control — VinylScratch gives you the physics, the effects, and the workflow to do it properly. Drop in a sample, feel the vinyl, twist the FX, hit record. VINYL PHYSICS ENGINE The scratch engine models real platter mechanics. Sound accelerates and decelerates the way a record actually does, with natural spin-down when you release. • Drag on the waveform to scratch — velocity and direction tracked sample-accurately • Three inertia modes: VINYL (natural spin-down), PAGE (instant stop), OFF • Adjustable sensitivity from ultra-fine to aggressive • Multitouch scratch support on iPad LIVE FX PAD A Kaoss Pad-style XY touch surface for real-time effects. Slide your finger to shape the sound — both axes control different parameters simultaneously. • Filter — LP/HP sweep and ISO (SP-404 style isolator) • Reverb — room, hall, plate and more • Delay — time, feedback, and LP cutoff control • Distortion — bit crush and lo-fi presets • FX1 & FX2 — two configurable effect slots with custom axis mapping • HOLD — lock the effect in place after lifting your finger • Glow trail visualization on the XY pad CUT & REV • CUT — hold to mute the signal, just like a crossfader kill • REV — flips playback direction • Crossfader strip for blend control CUE POINTS & LOOP • Two cue points: CUE A and CUE B — set, jump, clear • Loop IN/OUT with toggle — keeps the region when disabled • Full waveform view with overview strip TRANSPORT & RECORDING • Play / Pause with repeat mode • Record your scratch + FX session as WAV • Share or save directly from the app • Time display with millisecond precision AUv3 PLUGIN • Load VinylScratch as an instrument in GarageBand, AUM, Audiobus, or any AUv3 host • Full UI inside the host — scratch and effects included APPEARANCE • 15 color themes • Dark interface optimized for stage and studio PRO UNLOCK One-time purchase. No subscription. Unlocks: sample loading, recording, all FX effects, FX Hold, REV CUT, crossfader, themes, and AUv3. Free version includes playback, CUT, and filter with the built-in track.

Screenshots

VinylScratch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VinylScratch at Free against ChordPainter's $2.99. VinylScratch also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 22 months). ChordPainter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChordPainter ships an update every 22 months, VinylScratch monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ChordPainter versus VinylScratch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChordPainterVinylScratch
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating—4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size195 MB15 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperStefan ArnholdIvan Korablin

In-app purchases

None

ChordPainter

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

VinylScratch

One-time1
  • VinylScratch Pro$7.99

Questions

Is ChordPainter free?
ChordPainter costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VinylScratch free?
VinylScratch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ChordPainter or VinylScratch have ads?
Neither ChordPainter nor VinylScratch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChordPainter or VinylScratch?
ChordPainter ships an update every 22 months, and VinylScratch monthly. Most recently, ChordPainter was updated on November 11, 2026 and VinylScratch on October 31, 2026.

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