Comparison

JustChords vs Instrument Routine

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

About

Instrument Routine

Features
Read full description

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

JustChords4 screens
Instrument Routine4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JustChords ships an update every 2 weeks, Instrument Routine weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
JustChords versus Instrument Routine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJustChordsInstrument Routine
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (349 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews94.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings349 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.5 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarek PalkaLUCAS 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
Show 6 more
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • 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

7 purchases

JustChords

One-time7
  • Buy me a coffee$0.99
  • Nice Chords!$2.99
  • Buy me a pineapple$4.99
Show 4 more
  • Rock On!$6.99
  • Buy me a book$7.99
  • Big Thanks!$17.99
  • Legendary Support!$44.99
4 purchases

Instrument Routine

One-time4
  • Coffee espresso$0.99
  • Coffee Double Espresso$1.99
  • Coffee Americano$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Coffee frappucino$3.99

Questions

Is JustChords free?
JustChords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Instrument Routine free?
Instrument Routine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do JustChords or Instrument Routine have ads?
Neither JustChords nor Instrument Routine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JustChords or Instrument Routine?
JustChords ships an update every 2 weeks, and Instrument Routine weekly. Most recently, JustChords was updated on October 22, 2026 and Instrument Routine on October 8, 2026.

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