# 5ths Machine vs Note by Note

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | 5ths Machine | Note by Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/5ths-machine/id1582877284/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 18 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lucy Hudson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1179157812) | [CGDevworks LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1882236775) |

## 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


### Note by Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-by-note/id6760000876)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 5ths Machine free?

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

### Is Note by Note free?

Note by Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do 5ths Machine or Note by Note have ads?

Neither 5ths Machine nor Note by Note shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 5ths Machine or Note by Note?

5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, and Note by Note every 2 weeks. Most recently, 5ths Machine was updated on November 14, 2026 and Note by Note on November 9, 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.*