JustChords vs Instrument Routine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JustChords
Organize your song library with chord charts and lyrics. Create or import songs, sync across devices, and build setlists for live performances. Supports various music notations and audio playback.
- Chord chart and lyric editor
- Import songs from online sources
- iCloud device syncing
- Setlist creation and sharing
- AirPlay lyric projection
- Audio player and recorder
- Support for multiple music notations
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JustChords is your complete tool for cataloging chord charts and lyrics. Create charts from scratch, import them from files, or pull them from online sources — building a library that's always with you, synced across iPhone, iPad and Mac via iCloud. Use JustChords standalone or as an AUv3 plugin in your favorite DAW. FEATURES • Setlists, with sharing and collaboration • Song editor is based on ChordPro and supports chords & lyrics, note sheets (PDF), chord beats, guitar tabs and ABC notation • Change Key, Capo, Piano Transpose, Rewrite into key • Metronome & Tuner • Autoscroll • Guitar, ukulele and piano chord diagrams, including alternate tunings • Audio player & recorder. Attach your tracks from Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, URL or local file • Project lyrics or a dedicated stage display via AirPlay, with rich configuration options • Bluetooth / MIDI pedal support • Chord Beats — visualize chord duration right in your chords & lyrics, send chord notes over MIDI as they play, and trigger predefined MIDI messages on section changes • Tonic Pad — an ambient backing pad matched to your song's key • PlayTogether — keep your whole band in sync live, hands-free
Instrument Routine
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Instrument Routine offers a simple method: choose your exercises, practice them daily, and adapt them whenever you need to. Each session builds on the previous one. Use the Timer to stay focused, the Metronome to work on your rhythm, and Progress to track your consistency. Need to catch up on a recent session? Simply return to that day. If you work with a teacher, ask them to help you create a routine tailored to your goals. Prioritize consistency to progress! Your data stays on your device, with no account required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: JustChords at 4 against Instrument Routine's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. JustChords sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Instrument Routine sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
JustChords ships an update every 2 weeks, Instrument Routine weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JustChords | Instrument Routine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (349 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 94.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 349 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marek Palka | LUCAS DANIEL MERCIER |
Bugs and requests
JustChords
Reported bugs
11 issues- App crashes when importing songs from online sources
- Pinch zoom feature stopped working
- Songs disappearing from library
- App unable to load songs from library in certain conditions
- Multi-column view not functioning on iPad
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- PDF export inconsistently includes/excludes metadata
- Control+S keyboard shortcut non-functional on iPad and desktop
- Choppy scrolling between songs
- Tagging system filters incorrectly (excludes songs with multiple tags)
- Songs won't open when tapped (reported on iPhone 8 with iOS 16.7.4)
- Sticky notes placement requires manual adjustment
Requested features
8 requests- Apple Pencil direct annotation with eraser capability
- Standard tag filtering logic (show songs with selected tags)
- Bluetooth pedal support for song navigation without touching device
- Web-based editor for songs
- Direct in-app sharing to other users
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- Improved documentation and user manual
- Smoother song-to-song scrolling transitions
- Dark mode option
Instrument Routine
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
JustChords
- Buy me a coffee$0.99
- Nice Chords!$2.99
- Buy me a pineapple$4.99
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Rock On!$6.99
- Buy me a book$7.99
- Big Thanks!$17.99
- Legendary Support!$44.99
Instrument Routine
- Coffee espresso$0.99
- Coffee Double Espresso$1.99
- Coffee Americano$2.99
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- Coffee frappucino$3.99
Questions
Is JustChords free?
Is Instrument Routine free?
Do JustChords or Instrument Routine have ads?
Which is updated more often, JustChords or Instrument Routine?
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