# AudioTheory Guitars vs Surface Builder

The clearest difference is price: AudioTheory Guitars at $6.99 against Surface Builder's $14.99. Surface Builder's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 67%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

AudioTheory Guitars costs $6.99 and Surface Builder $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

AudioTheory Guitars ships an update every 3 months, Surface Builder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AudioTheory Guitars | Surface Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$6.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **15** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 318 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13** |
| Devices | iPad, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fraser Mackenzie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492337443) | [4Pockets.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/370131860) |

## What reviewers say

### AudioTheory Guitars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiotheory-guitars/id1492337444)

This app serves as a comprehensive reference for guitarists, offering interactive chord and fretboard diagrams. It simplifies music theory by allowing seamless transcription between piano and guitar, with customizable tuning and note exclusion features.

**Highlights:** Interactive chord and fretboard diagrams, Piano to guitar transcription, Customizable tuning and capo settings, Chord sheet playback, Note exclusion for playing in key, Left-handed mode

**In-app purchases:** none


### Surface Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778)

Create custom MIDI control surfaces for audio applications. Design interfaces with buttons, knobs, and faders to send and receive MIDI data, control audio clips, and customize appearance. Supports AUv3 plugins and standalone use.

**Highlights:** Customizable MIDI control surfaces, AUv3 plugin and standalone modes, Send/receive MIDI data (notes, controllers, pitch bend), Audio clip playback control, Multi-scene interface design, Drag and drop interface customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AudioTheory Guitars free?

AudioTheory Guitars costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Surface Builder free?

Surface Builder costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do AudioTheory Guitars or Surface Builder have ads?

Neither AudioTheory Guitars nor Surface Builder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AudioTheory Guitars or Surface Builder?

AudioTheory Guitars ships an update every 3 months, and Surface Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, AudioTheory Guitars was updated on June 1, 2026 and Surface Builder on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*