# 5ths Machine vs Chord Studio

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | 5ths Machine | Chord Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/5ths-machine/id1582877284/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chord-studio/id6749439732/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 18 MB | 198 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lucy Hudson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1179157812) | [Jin Zhang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830436291) |

## What reviewers say

### 5ths Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/5ths-machine/id1582877284)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chord Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chord-studio/id6749439732)

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.

**Highlights:** Real-time chord recognition, Custom chord progression creation, MIDI keyboard support, Chord lookup and voicings, Built-in metronome, Export progressions to MIDI

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chord Studio Pro | $1.99 | per month |
| Chord Studio Pro Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 5ths Machine free?

5ths Machine costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chord Studio free?

Chord Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, 5ths Machine or Chord Studio?

5ths Machine and Chord Studio are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do 5ths Machine or Chord Studio have ads?

Neither 5ths Machine nor Chord Studio shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 5ths Machine or Chord Studio?

5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, and Chord Studio every 8 days. Most recently, 5ths Machine was updated on November 3, 2026 and Chord Studio on October 30, 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.*