Comparison

iHarmony vs bismark CtrlSlide

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

Head to head
About

iHarmony

This app provides musicians with instant access to a comprehensive music theory reference. It includes scales, chords, harmonizations, and notes with audio playback and support for multiple notation systems. It's designed for songwriting, studying, and quick reference.

Highlights
  • 1500+ scales, chords, and harmonizations
  • Chord harmonizations for every scale
  • Audio playback for every entry
  • Four notation systems (English, Italian, German, French)
  • Full-text search
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

The ultimate music theory reference for every musician. iHarmony gives you instant access to scales, chords, harmonizations, and notes — all in one beautifully designed app. Whether you're preparing for a jam session, writing a song, studying jazz theory, or doing your music homework, iHarmony has the answer. • 1500+ scales, chords, and harmonizations • Chord harmonizations for every scale • Audio playback for every entry — train your ear while you study • Four notation systems: English (C, D, E), Italian (Do, Re, Mi), German (C, D, H), French (Ut, Re, Mi) • Full-text search — find any scale or chord in seconds • Works offline — no internet required Stop searching the web for: "What notes make up a G# diminished 7 chord?" "What are the degrees of the Bebop Dominant scale?" "What's the harmonization of D# Melodic Minor?" iHarmony answers these instantly. Over 1500 entries covering common and exotic scales alike — from the Lydian b7 to the Neapolitan, from Whole Tone to Hungarian Minor. Designed for guitarists, pianists, composers, music students, and professionals. Perfect for functional analysis of jazz standards, songwriting, and music education. Full VoiceOver and accessibility support. Dark mode supported. A must-have for every musician.

About

bismark CtrlSlide

Features
Read full description

bismark CtrlSlide is a touch-based MIDI controller that allows you to send Control Change (CC) and Program Change (PC) messages to external MIDI devices or apps. With an intuitive multi-slider interface, CtrlSlide makes it easy to adjust MIDI parameters in real time. Whether you're controlling hardware synthesizers, virtual instruments, or exploring MIDI behavior, this app provides a flexible and reliable control surface at your fingertips. Designed for musicians, producers, and sound designers, CtrlSlide supports various MIDI connection methods including USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and virtual MIDI routing (depending on your device and operating system). Key Features: • Send MIDI Control Change (CC) and Program Change (PC) messages • Customize multiple sliders for flexible real-time control • Connect to external MIDI devices or other apps • Supports USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and virtual MIDI • Includes predefined CC numbers for quick setup • Clean, responsive interface optimized for touch Use CtrlSlide to fine-tune your synths, experiment with sound design, or enhance your live performance setup — all from your iPhone or iPad.

Screenshots

iHarmony4 screens
bismark CtrlSlide3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iHarmony at $0.99 against bismark CtrlSlide's $1.99. bismark CtrlSlide's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iHarmony costs $0.99 and bismark CtrlSlide $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iHarmony ships an update every 5 weeks, bismark CtrlSlide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
iHarmony versus bismark CtrlSlide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriHarmonybismark CtrlSlide
Price$0.99 — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlberto De Bortolibismark LLC

Bugs and requests

iHarmony

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • Audio not working on iPhone
  • Database null error
  • Speaker distortion at high volume
  • Playback sounds stilted/uneven
  • Info link works irregularly or doesn't appear
Show 14 more
  • Audio engine buffer fills up quickly
  • Some sounds do not match notes
  • Cb Major scale has wrong pitch
  • App stops working in latest version
  • Dominant 7 chords listed as Major 7
  • Major 7 chords listed as Major 7+
  • Major and Dominant 9 chords incorrect
  • Text is very small in Harmonies section
  • No sound from speakers
  • Audio playback not working after upgrade
  • App is completely empty
  • Some chords have incorrect notation
  • Accidental symbols in wrong place
  • Audio engine buffer fills up quickly

Requested features

40 requests
  • Save favorite scales
  • Add more exotic scales
  • Allow harmonic playback (all notes simultaneously)
  • Provide other theory features (harmonic substitutions, polychords, inversions)
  • Add a search function for chords/scales
Show 35 more
  • Display scales/chords on a staff
  • Add a chord scratch pad for saving/exporting
  • Include minor major seventh chords
  • Add suspended 2 chords and others
  • Option to hear unarpeggiated chords
  • Allow choosing ascending OR descending scale playback
  • Add Roman numeral labelling
  • Interactive circle of fifths
  • Notated examples
  • Include scale formulas
  • Add George Russell Lydian Chromatic Concept scales
  • Zoom functionality or larger font
  • Piano keys indicated
  • Allow controlling playback speed
  • Repeat/loop function for listening
  • Link scales to chords they are used over
  • Show modes associated with chords
  • Search function by typing scale/chord symbols
  • View of chords/scales on a staff
  • North American style chord formatting
  • Better GUI/organizational method
  • Make it a universal app (iPhone/iPad)
  • Separate ascending/descending scale playback
  • Add dominant and altered dominant chords
  • Hear inversions of scales/chord types
  • Nashville # system in harmonies
  • All chords available in notes section
  • Tabs for instruments
  • Easy Beats direction for updates
  • Fix Cb Major scale pitch
  • Show the 8th note/tonic in listening
  • End scales on the ONE
  • Full screen without frames for viewing windows
  • Larger viewing windows
  • Better icon design

bismark CtrlSlide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iHarmony

No in-app purchases

None

bismark CtrlSlide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iHarmony free?
iHarmony costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is bismark CtrlSlide free?
bismark CtrlSlide costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do iHarmony or bismark CtrlSlide have ads?
Neither iHarmony nor bismark CtrlSlide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iHarmony or bismark CtrlSlide?
iHarmony ships an update every 5 weeks, and bismark CtrlSlide every 2 months. Most recently, iHarmony was updated on September 25, 2026 and bismark CtrlSlide on September 19, 2026.

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