5ths Machine vs Note by Note
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!
Note by Note
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Learn songs by ear by listening to real recordings. For each song we have slow simple recordings. We have a recording not only for each song but another recording for each section and another for each individual lick.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Note by Note at Free against 5ths Machine's $1.99. Note by Note also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 24 months). 5ths Machine's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Note by Note is free to download; 5ths Machine costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, Note by Note every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 5ths Machine | Note by Note |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lucy Hudson | CGDevworks LLC |
In-app purchases
5ths Machine
No in-app purchases
Note by Note
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 5ths Machine free?
Is Note by Note free?
Do 5ths Machine or Note by Note have ads?
Which is updated more often, 5ths Machine or Note by Note?
Other comparisons
