Comparison

Chords Pad vs ChordPadX 2

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

Head to head
About

Chords Pad

Explore musical chords with an interactive keyboard display and customizable pads. Visualize chord tones, experiment with progressions, and play notes via MIDI. Unlock advanced features and sounds through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Chord tone display on keyboard
  • Customizable chord pads
  • Chord progression builder
  • MIDI Bluetooth support
  • Multiple chord list layouts
  • Adjustable keyboard range
Read full description

This app can easily check the sound and the display on the keyboard of the chord tone of musical chords. We have prepared various UI for checking the chords. Use the method that suits you. - Pad Display - Chord List - Pad Display - Custom Pad - Chord Progress [Chord List] You can select from the following patterns for the chord button list display. It supports chord reordering and toggling chord visibility. - Each key : Displays all types of chord patterns in a list for each key - Vertical : Displays all types of chord patterns vertically and each key horizontally - Horizontal : Displays all types of chord patterns horizontally with each key vertically [Custom pad] Larger buttons than the chord list are arranged. You can freely set the chord and key for each button. [Chord Progress] Add common chord progressions from presets or create your own. You can also edit individual chords, transpose, reorder, and delete chord progressions. In either case, when the chord button is tapped, the selected chord is played and the chord tone is displayed on the keyboard. * If you'd like to display all the chord patterns including tension (b9, # 9, 11, # 11, b13, 13), You need In-App Purchase. [Chord inversion area] When you select a chord in "Chord List" or "Custom Pad," its root position and inversions appear below the chord button area. Example: - CM7 : C E G B (Root position) - CM7/E : E G B C - CM7/G : G B C E - CM7/B : B C E G The note after "/" indicates the bass note. Scroll horizontally through the inversions and tap a button to play it and display its notes on the keyboard. The inversion area for "Custom Pad" can be shown or hidden with "Inversion display" in Settings. Other features: - Supports chord reordering and toggling chord visibility in the "Chord List". ([Settings screen] - [Edit Chord List]) - The keyboard can be slid with the slider. (range: C2 ~ C7) And the keyboard also supports playing. - There are 28 types in all kinds of sound. (It is 9 kinds can be used in the initial state. To use all type, you need In-App Purchase.) - Supports Bluetooth MIDI connection. - Supports sending MIDI messages (note on / off). Chord list: M, 7, 7(b5), 7(#5), 6, 6 9, 9, add9, M7, M9, M7(b5), M7(#5), m, m6, m6 9, m(#5), m add9, m7, mM7, m7(b5), m7(#5), m9, mM9, aug, dim, dim7, sus4, 7sus4, 9sus4, M7sus4, M9sus4, sus2, 7sus2, M7sus2 (To use below, you need In-App Purchase.) 7(b9), 7(#9), 7(#11), 7(b13), 7(13), 7(b9 #11), 7(b9 b13), 7(b9 13), 9(#11), 9(b13), 9(13), 7(#9 #11), 7(#9 b13), 7(#9 13), M7(#11), M9(#11), M7(13), M9(13), m7(11), m7(13), m9(11), m7(b5 11), m7(b5 13) If you would like to create more flexible chord progressions or compose music using chords, try iOS app "Piano Chords Master".

About

ChordPadX 2

This app offers a pad-based MIDI controller for musicians to trigger and manipulate chords. It features velocity-sensitive pads, customizable layouts, and advanced editing options for chord types and voicings. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for composing, performing, or experimenting.

Highlights
  • Velocity-sensitive pads for expressive chord triggering
  • Customizable pad layouts and chord editing
  • MIDI output to compatible apps and hardware
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Audio Unit (AUv3) and Core MIDI support
  • User-friendly design for focused creativity
Features
Read full description

Unlock instant inspiration with ChordPadX 2, an intuitive and expressive pad-based MIDI controller designed for musicians of all levels. Whether you're composing, performing, or experimenting with new ideas, this app makes it easy to trigger and manipulate chords with a natural touch. Play rich, dynamic harmonies with just a tap. The velocity-sensitive pads allow you to trigger multiple chords at once, giving you expressive control over your sound. Choose from a variety of dynamic templates or build your own custom layout by dragging and dropping chords into place. Rearrange the pads as needed to create a workflow that suits your creative process. Each pad is fully customizable, allowing you to fine-tune your chords with advanced editing options. Change the chord type, invert voicings, add a bass note, assign colors, or label the pads to keep your setup organized. Whether you’re a beginner looking for inspiration or a pro seeking efficiency, this app adapts to your needs. Key Features: • Expressive Play – Tap velocity-sensitive pads to trigger one or multiple chords at the same time, making your performance more dynamic and natural. • Customizable Pads – Rearrange, edit, and personalize each pad with different chord types, voicings, bass notes, colors, and labels. • Flexible MIDI Control – Send chords via MIDI output to any compatible app or hardware, or use an external MIDI controller to trigger the pads. • Intuitive Drag & Drop – Easily rearrange pads and move chords within the app to create your perfect layout. • Audio Unit (AUv3) & Core MIDI Support – Integrate ChordPadX 2 with your favorite music production apps, DAWs, and MIDI devices. • Intuitive Interface – Designed for efficiency, with an easy-to-use layout that keeps you focused on creativity rather than complexity. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, this app is the perfect tool for sketching song ideas, experimenting with new chord progressions, or enhancing live performances. Whether you're playing solo or syncing with other apps and hardware, ChordPadX 2 puts the power of harmony at your fingertips. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Chords Pad4 screens
ChordPadX 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ChordPadX 2 at none against Chords Pad's shown. Chords Pad's advantage is review sentiment (77% vs 44%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.4). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Chords Pad sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and ChordPadX 2 sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chords Pad holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chords Pad has 96 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Chords Pad's written reviews are positive against 44% of ChordPadX 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chords Pad ships an update every 6 weeks, ChordPadX 2 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chords Pad versus ChordPadX 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChords PadChordPadX 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (96 ratings) — better4.4 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews77.4% of reviews — better44.4% of reviews
Number of ratings96 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB150 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLoop-Sessions.LLC.Mathieu Routhier

Customer experience

Chords Pad

All ratings96 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive77.4%
Neutral9.7%
Negative12.9%

ChordPadX 2

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral22.2%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chords Pad

One-time3
  • All sounds are available$0.99
  • All chords are available$2.49
  • Always remove ads.$7.99
6 purchases

ChordPadX 2

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
One-time5
  • iOS Key Upgrade$12.99
  • macOS Key$17.99
  • iOS Key$17.99
Show 2 more
  • Universal Key Upgrade$19.99
  • Universal Key$24.99

Questions

Is Chords Pad free?
Chords Pad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ChordPadX 2 free?
ChordPadX 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chords Pad or ChordPadX 2?
Chords Pad is rated higher. Chords Pad averages 4.9 out of 5 from 96 ratings, while ChordPadX 2 averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.
Do Chords Pad or ChordPadX 2 have ads?
Chords Pad shows ads; ChordPadX 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Chords Pad or ChordPadX 2?
Chords Pad ships an update every 6 weeks, and ChordPadX 2 every 2 months. Most recently, Chords Pad was updated on November 11, 2026 and ChordPadX 2 on October 30, 2026.

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