Music Theory 101 vs Note Buddies
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Music Theory 101
An interactive music theory training app covering classical fundamentals. It features 19 units with audio, exercises, and definitions, mirroring AP Music Theory exam curriculum. Practice skills with over 90 exercise types.
- Interactive music theory course
- 19 comprehensive units
- Audio samples and key definitions
- Skill practice exercises
- AP Music Theory exam curriculum
- Over 90 exercise types
- Aural recognition and dictation
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Welcome to a new, interactive music theory training app. We offer a comprehensive course presenting the fundamentals of classical music theory. Our course includes 19 interactive units with audio samples, interactive exercises, and key definitions. Alongside this, we offer a streamlined set of skill practice to test core knowledge. This app matches the curriculum of the AP Music Theory exam, which is designed to reflect a knowledge at the introductory college level. We're excited to help you learn. And if you’re a student… good luck with your upcoming exam! Lessons include: - Pitch and Rhythm - Scales, Meters, and Modes - Intervals, Triads, and Seventh Chords - Harmonic Progressions and Cadences - Four-Part Chorale Writing and Two-Part Counterpoint - Embelleshing Notes, Tonicization, and Melodic Techniques The app includes over 90 different exercise types, including aural recognition, melodic/harmonic dictation, and single, two-voice, and four-part composition. Our app is still new! Found something that needs to be fixed? Have an idea for what to add next? We'd love to hear from you as we build out the next features. There are buttons across the app for you to submit feedback or take a quick survey to share your thoughts.
Note Buddies
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NoteBuddies makes music theory stick. Whether you're a beginner learning to read notes or a student preparing for an exam, NoteBuddies turns music fundamentals into quick, focused practice sessions you can fit into any day. RHYTHM Drill whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, dotted rhythms, rests, ties, and triplets. Flip each card to reveal the beat value and name, or start a timed quiz to work through the full deck until every card is answered correctly. NOTES Read treble and bass clef notes on a real staff. Filter to treble, bass, or both clefs. Tap the card to reveal the note name, then test yourself against the clock in quiz mode. MUSIC TERMS From forte to fermata, master the Italian terms and symbols every musician needs to know. Filter by dynamics, tempo, articulation, or notation, then quiz yourself until the whole category is locked in. QUIZ MODE Every section has a built-in quiz. Cards you answer correctly are retired; cards you miss go back to the end of the queue. A live timer keeps you honest. Finish the deck and see your final time.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Music Theory 101 at every 5 days against Note Buddies's every 2 weeks. Music Theory 101 also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Music Theory 101 ships an update every 5 days, Note Buddies every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Music Theory 101 | Note Buddies |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (70 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 70 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Poesie Inc | DAVID ARANDA |
In-app purchases
Music Theory 101
No in-app purchases
Note Buddies
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Music Theory 101 free?
Is Note Buddies free?
Do Music Theory 101 or Note Buddies have ads?
Which is updated more often, Music Theory 101 or Note Buddies?
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