InstaChord vs RetroTune
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
InstaChord
This app offers an innovative electronic musical instrument for instant music performance and learning chord progressions. It features intuitive controls for playing chords like a guitar or piano, with options to switch between interfaces and play various chord types. It also supports MIDI connections for expanded musical possibilities.
- Instant music performance
- Guitar and piano interfaces
- Play various chord types
- Learn chord progressions
- MIDI connection support
- Set key for any song
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InstaChord-i is an easy-to-play musical instrument, a learning tool for chord progressions, and an auxiliary tool for composing. You can experience an innovative electronic musical instrument "InstaChord", which has raised about $770,000 by crowdfunding with this app. https://instachord.com (This app was developed under the supervision of Mr. Yuichi Nagata, the developer of "InstaChord".) ■ Features ◆ Can perform music instantly You can enjoy playing like a guitar or piano by tapping and swiping the pads while holding down the buttons with the chord symbols (C, Dm, etc.). There are fundamental chords based on music theory on the screen, so you can make a song just by choosing buttons loosely. ◆ Guitar or Piano You can choose from two types of interfaces, "guitar strings" and "piano keyboards". ◆ Play various chords If you press "~" (swap button) at the same time, the major and minor of the chord will be switched. (Ex: "F" + "~" → "Fm", "Em" + "~" → "E") You can also play various chords by pressing the chord buttons (7, M7, sus4, etc.) at the same time. * Some functions are paid options ◆ You can play any song When you set the Key setting to the key of a song, the fundamental chords (diatonic chords) used for that song are assigned to the buttons on the screen, so you can easily play songs with any key. Since numerals (scale degree) is written on the screen, it is ideal for learning chord progressions. ◆ MIDI Connection - Virtual MIDI: Control ohter Virtual MIDI compatible synth app on your device. * GarageBand doesn't support Virtual MIDI input. - Wi-Fi: Send MIDI notes to PC or Mac via Wi-Fi. * Windows PC requires connection software such as rtpMIDI. - BLE MIDI: Send MIDI notes to Mac or other iOS device via Bluetooth. ■ Playable chords major, minor, 7, M7, m7, mM7, add9, m9, sus4, dim, aug, m7-5 * Some chords are paid options ■ Built-in 28 Sounds * It is different from the built-in sound of the hardware version of InstaChord. * Some sound sources are paid options Ac.Guitar E-Gt.Jazz E-Gt.Clean E-Gt.Dist Sitar Koto Ac.Piano E.Piano Vibraphone Marimba Agogo Lead Synth Polysynth Brightness Rock Organ Church Organ Accordion Strings Synth Strings Voice Oohs Trumpet Synth Brass Flute Whistle Warm Pad Bowed Grass Metal Pad Rain FX ■ InstaChord-i website https://instachord.com/app
RetroTune
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RetroTune is a music player for iOS and macOS, built for retro game music. With support for NSF, SPC, VGM, and many other chiptune formats, you can enjoy those classic sounds anytime, anywhere. ■ Wide Format Support - NSF / NSFe (NES) - SPC (SNES) - GBS (Game Boy) - VGM / VGZ / S98 (FM sound) - HES / AY / KSS / SAP, and more - MP3 ■ Manage Your Whole Collection Import ZIP, 7z, and RAR / RSN archives directly while preserving their folder structure. Reference files straight from the Files app or iCloud to save space on your device. ■ Build Playlists as You Listen Even with collections of dozens of tracks per file, you can star the tracks you like while listening, then save them together as a playlist later. ■ Comfortable Playback - A full-screen player that shows track info while you listen - Background playback support - A mini player you can control from any screen
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: InstaChord at Free against RetroTune's $1.99. InstaChord also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.2). RetroTune's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months). 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
InstaChord is free to download; RetroTune costs $1.99 up front. InstaChord sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. RetroTune asks for nothing beyond the download.
InstaChord ships an update every 3 months, RetroTune every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | InstaChord | RetroTune |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (16 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Loop-Sessions.LLC. | Tsuyoshi Terasaki |
In-app purchases
InstaChord
- Available All Chords$1.99
- All sounds are available$1.99
- Available sending MIDI message$4.99
RetroTune
No in-app purchases









