# MusicTools Music Dictionary vs Theory Lessons

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Theory Lessons at none against MusicTools Music Dictionary's 3. Theory Lessons also leads on chart position (#22 vs unranked) and ratings volume (127 vs 23). MusicTools Music Dictionary's advantage is review sentiment (94% vs 83%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.8). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

MusicTools Music Dictionary costs $2.99 and Theory Lessons $2.99 up front. MusicTools Music Dictionary sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Theory Lessons asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for MusicTools Music Dictionary against 4.4 for Theory Lessons. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Theory Lessons has 127 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of MusicTools Music Dictionary's written reviews are positive against 83% of Theory Lessons's.

MusicTools Music Dictionary ships an update every 7 months, Theory Lessons every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MusicTools Music Dictionary | Theory Lessons |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.4 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musictools-music-dictionary/id344920107/reviews)** | [4.4 (127 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 23 | **127** |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 83.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#22** |
| Size | 11 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.8 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [OnStage Technologies, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/344920110) | [musictheory.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/459313479) |

## What reviewers say

### MusicTools Music Dictionary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musictools-music-dictionary/id344920107)

This app provides a comprehensive music dictionary with thousands of definitions, abbreviations, and performance notations. It includes quick reference charts for tempo, symbols, and more, with support for multiple language variations. Designed for musicians of all levels, it aids in understanding both modern and historical musical terms.

**Highlights:** Comprehensive music dictionary, Thousands of definitions and abbreviations, Quick reference charts, Multiple language variations, Historical notation support, Fast search engine

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drum Rudiments Chart | $0.99 | one-time |
| Circle of Fifths | $0.99 | one-time |
| Precision Metronome | $1.99 | one-time |


### Theory Lessons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Paid · Music, #185 Top Paid (US App Store)

Explore 39 animated music theory lessons covering fundamental concepts like scales, chords, and intervals. Deepen your understanding of musical structure and analysis with this comprehensive resource.

**Highlights:** 39 animated music theory lessons, Covers staff, clefs, and ledger lines, Explains note and rest duration, Details major and minor scales, Teaches intervals and chord inversions, Includes Roman numeral analysis, Features musical analysis examples

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient and easy to use
- 👍 Clear and concise explanations
- 💡 Helpful visual aids and animations
- 🤩 Excellent learning tool for beginners
- 🔍 Comprehensive coverage of music theory

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Audio issues on some devices
- 🔍 Limited content compared to website
- 🤔 Keyboard-centric approach may not suit non-pianists
- 💰 Paid app when website is free

**Reported bugs**

- Directional arrows and guidance symbols not working on iPad
- Text panels cut off at the bottom and unable to be resized

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced theory topics
- Incorporate practice exercises and quizzes
- Include support for other instruments beyond piano
- Integrate with the Tenuto app for a more complete experience


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MusicTools Music Dictionary free?

MusicTools Music Dictionary costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Theory Lessons free?

Theory Lessons costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MusicTools Music Dictionary or Theory Lessons?

MusicTools Music Dictionary is rated higher. MusicTools Music Dictionary averages 4.4 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Theory Lessons averages 4.4 from 127 ratings.

### Do MusicTools Music Dictionary or Theory Lessons have ads?

Neither MusicTools Music Dictionary nor Theory Lessons shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MusicTools Music Dictionary or Theory Lessons?

MusicTools Music Dictionary ships an update every 7 months, and Theory Lessons every 4 months. Most recently, MusicTools Music Dictionary was updated on November 6, 2026 and Theory Lessons on November 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*