Comparison

12 vs GtrLib Chords

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

Head to head
About

12

This application provides a straightforward tool for tuning 12-string guitars to the standard eEaAdDgGBBEE tuning. It guides users by playing the correct notes for each string, allowing them to adjust their tuning pegs accordingly. The app also offers functionality for tuning standard 6-string guitars.

Highlights
  • 12-string guitar tuning
  • Standard eEaAdDgGBBEE tuning
  • Plays reference notes for each string
  • Supports 6-string guitar tuning
  • Easy-to-use interface
Features
Read full description

Simple 12-string guitar tuner to tune up your 12-string guitar. This is for the standard eEaAdDgGBBEE 12 String Guitar tuning. Tuning your guitar can be a difficult task for you if you are just beginning guitar. The good news is, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. A nicely tuned guitar can make your music sound a lot better and help you greatly while you're are just getting the hang of finger placement for notes. A 12 string guitar is split up into 6 pairs of 2 strings. The thicker string of the pair is tuned to the same note and octave as a regular 6 string guitar. The thinner string, on the pair of strings 3-6, is tuned one octave higher than it's pair. On the first and second pairs, the notes are the same octave and each string in the pair should sound exactly the same to it's other string in the pair. This is eEaAdDgGBBEE tuning. The lowercase letters means that it is one octave higher then it's counterpart. Touch the note for the string you want to tune and then turn the tuning pegs on your guitar and match it up with the note that is being played. Tip: Make several passes tuning each of the strings. For example you might have noticed that if you have tuned all the strings once, and then back to the first one you tuned, it might be off a little bit. This is because you are increasing or decreasing the tension on each of the strings as you tune it and the instrument's body might bend ever so slightly due to this difference in tension. This causes the other strings to slightly change in pitch. So make sure you keep on checking and tuning the strings until all are in tune, so make several passes. Also you can use this simple tuner for your standard 6-String Guitar, it is the same tuning, only the strings on the 6-String Guitar are EADGBBEE, which is right part of this 12-String Guitar Tuner. So use just right part of this tuner to tune up your 6-String Guitar. Any questions using the App? Write support@tuneinstrument.com and we we'll get back to you promptly. If you need to tune other music instruments simply have a look into our other applications: Violin Tuner Simple, Cello Tuner Simple, Banjo Tuner Simple, Mandolin Tuner Simple, Double Bass Tuner Simple, Viola Tuner Simple, Guitar Tuner Simple, Ukulele Tuner Simple, Bass Tuner Simple. Follow us on Twitter: @TuneInstrument Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Tuneinstrument Follow us on Google+: Tuneinstrument Subscribe to YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TuneInstrument Sign up for newsletter and or visit us: www.tuneinstrument.com

About

GtrLib Chords

This app is a comprehensive guitar chord library for players of all skill levels. It offers thousands of chords with multiple voicings, fingerings, and audio demonstrations. Easily search, customize, and export chords for practice, learning, or music production.

Highlights
  • Extensive chord library
  • Multiple voicings and inversions
  • Audio demonstrations
  • Suggested fingerings
  • Quick search functionality
  • Export as PNG or MIDI
  • Left-handed mode
Features
Read full description

GtrLib Chords – The Ultimate Guitar Chord Library Unlock the full potential of your guitar playing with GtrLib Chords, the most comprehensive and easy-to-use chord reference for guitarists of all levels. Whether you're just starting out and need a reliable guide to essential chords or you're an advanced player looking to explore complex voicings and inversions, this app provides everything you need to learn, practice, and master guitar chords with confidence and precision. With an extensive library of thousands of chords, including multiple voicings, suggested finger positions, and audio demonstrations, this app provides everything you need to expand your chord vocabulary and improve your playing. Key Features: Comprehensive Chord Library • Explore a vast collection of chords in every key, including major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended, extended, and more. • View all possible chord variations, inversions, and positions across the fretboard. • Learn chord placements from the open position to the highest frets. Learn & Play with Confidence • Suggested fingerings to improve technique and efficiency. • Audio playback to hear how every chord sounds before playing. • Fretboard visualization for better understanding of chord structures. Quick Search & Instant Access • Built-in search to find any chord instantly. • Spotlight search integration to locate chords directly from your device. Customize Your Experience • Left-handed mode for left-handed guitarists. • Key switching to transpose chords effortlessly. • Dark mode support for a visually comfortable experience. Export, Share & Save • Export chords as PNG or MIDI files for easy reference or music production. • Use exported MIDI files in DAWs like GarageBand, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and FL Studio. • Print or share chords with students, bandmates, or collaborators. Designed for Everyone • VoiceOver accessibility for visually impaired users. • User-friendly interface for smooth navigation and ease of use. Who Is GtrLib Chords For? • Beginners – Learn fundamental chords with clear diagrams and audio playback. • Intermediate & advanced guitarists – Explore complex voicings, inversions, and extended chords. • Songwriters & composers – Quickly find the perfect chord for any song. • Guitar teachers & students – Use it as a reliable teaching and learning tool. • Producers & musicians – Integrate MIDI chord files into music production. Why Choose GtrLib Chords? Unlike generic chord books or basic online chord finders, GtrLib Chords provides: • A massive, well-organized chord library with multiple variations. • Fingering recommendations to improve accuracy. • Audio demonstrations to help you recognize chords by ear. • Offline access for anytime, anywhere learning. • High-quality exports for musicians, songwriters, and educators. Download GtrLib Chords Today! Discover a powerful, easy-to-use tool designed for guitarists of all levels. Whether you're practicing, performing, or composing, GtrLib Chords will help you unlock the full potential of your guitar playing. Get started now and take your guitar skills to the next level!

Screenshots

124 screens
GtrLib Chords4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GtrLib Chords at 77% against 12's 27%. GtrLib Chords also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (4.7 vs 3.5). 12's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 17.0). On 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

GtrLib Chords is free to download; 12 costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GtrLib Chords holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GtrLib Chords has 1.4K ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of 12's written reviews are positive against 77% of GtrLib Chords's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

12 ships an update every 3 months, GtrLib Chords fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
12 versus GtrLib Chords: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter12GtrLib Chords
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (44 ratings)4.7 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.1% of reviews77.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings441.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPavel NikitenkoBijoy Thangaraj

Customer experience

12

All ratings44 ratings
Positive59.1%
Neutral4.5%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive27.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative71.4%

GtrLib Chords

All ratings1,318 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews132 reviews
Positive77.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative15.9%

Bugs and requests

12

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Crushing constantly
  • Does not work on iPad Pro
  • No microphone functionality
  • App crashes on opening
  • App quits when opened
Show 5 more
  • Note getting stuck
  • Update broke the app
  • Loads picture then crashes
  • No sound
  • Top E string octave lower than it should be

Requested features

4 requests
  • Use the microphone for tuning
  • Add visual confirmation (e.g., green indicator)
  • Allow tuning down strings
  • Change MHz up and down

GtrLib Chords

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

12

No in-app purchases

None

GtrLib Chords

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 12 free?
12 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GtrLib Chords free?
GtrLib Chords is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 12 or GtrLib Chords?
GtrLib Chords is rated higher. 12 averages 3.5 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while GtrLib Chords averages 4.7 from 1.4K ratings.
Do 12 or GtrLib Chords have ads?
GtrLib Chords shows ads; 12 does not.
Which is updated more often, 12 or GtrLib Chords?
12 ships an update every 3 months, and GtrLib Chords fortnightly. Most recently, 12 was updated on November 6, 2026 and GtrLib Chords on November 6, 2026.

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