5ths Machine vs Chord Studio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
5ths Machine
Explore the theoretical intricacies of key signatures with an interactive quiz. Learn about the 12-position equal temperament system and discover how to identify keys with an unusual number of sharps. Understand music theory through a unique perspective.
- Key signature quiz
- Equal temperament system explanation
- Theoretical key signature exploration
- Background information on music theory
- Quiz tips and strategies
- Chronology of music theory concepts
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Think you know your key signatures cold? Answer this: which key has 41 sharps? The equal temperament system is a circle with 12 positions, just like a clock. And, just like on a clock, the hands keep going around and around forever. The key signature of 41 sharps is theoretically consistent with the Western diatonic system ― learn why, and learn how to find out what key it is. The Background Information and the Quiz Tips explain the system in detail, and Chronology puts it all in perspective. Enjoy the “Perpetual 5ths Machine Boogie” while key signatures you’ve never seen before pass by on parade. Then, buckle down and solve the Quiz questions. NOW you understand music theory the 5ths Machine way!
Chord Studio
This app helps musicians play, recognize, and create chord progressions. It offers real-time chord recognition, MIDI keyboard support, and tools to craft and export custom musical arrangements. Enjoy a distraction-free experience with a clean interface and regular updates.
- Real-time chord recognition
- Custom chord progression creation
- MIDI keyboard support
- Chord lookup and voicings
- Built-in metronome
- Export progressions to MIDI
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Easily create chord progressions, spark unlimited inspiration. - Craft custom chord progressions with just a few taps - Instantly hear how your chords sound together - Choose from a wide range of instruments and playing styles - Customize playback with humanize, transposition, voicing adjustments, and more - Auto-detect chords from MIDI input for faster editing - Share with friends or export your progressions to MIDI files Designed for Musicians - Minimal, elegant design for the best user experience - Light / Dark Mode and customizable theme colors - 100% ad-free, so you can focus on your music - Regular updates with new features and content For questions or feedback, contact us anytime at chordstudio3572@outlook.com Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Chord Studio at Free against 5ths Machine's $1.99. Chord Studio also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 24 months). 5ths Machine's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On rating, ratings volume, 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
Chord Studio is free to download; 5ths Machine costs $1.99 up front. Chord Studio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. 5ths Machine asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for 5ths Machine against 5.0 for Chord Studio. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, Chord Studio every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 5ths Machine | Chord Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 198 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lucy Hudson | Jin Zhang |
Customer experience
5ths Machine
Chord Studio
In-app purchases
5ths Machine
No in-app purchases
Chord Studio
- Chord Studio Pro$1.991 Month
- Chord Studio Pro Lifetime$29.99
Questions
Is 5ths Machine free?
Is Chord Studio free?
Which has better reviews, 5ths Machine or Chord Studio?
Do 5ths Machine or Chord Studio have ads?
Which is updated more often, 5ths Machine or Chord Studio?
Other comparisons
