Comparison

Capo Helper vs AmpGate

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

Head to head
About

Capo Helper

Instantly translate chords for any capo position, helping musicians play along with guitarists using capos. It can also suggest capo placements and chord shapes based on a song's key.

Highlights
  • Instant chord translation for any capo position
  • Translates in both directions (capo to sounding, key to capo)
  • Handles complex and real chords
  • Suggests optimal capo positions for song keys
  • Displays chord fingerings with capo
  • Stage mode with high contrast and screen lock
Features
Read full description

Put a capo on the third fret, play a G shape, and what everyone hears is a Bb. If the bass player or the keyboard player wants to play along, someone has to work that out. Capo Helper does it for you. Set the fret the capo is on and every chord is translated instantly, so the rest of the band knows what's actually sounding and the guitar player can use their capo as much as they want. It works the other way round too. Tell it what key the song is in and it will show you where to put the capo and which shapes to play. WHAT IT DOES • Translates every chord for any capo position, in both directions • Handles real chords — Am7, Csus4, F#m7b5, D/F# — not just root notes • Spells them correctly for the key: Bb in flat keys, A# in sharp keys • Finds the best capo position for a song's key, ranked by which frets give you open chords • Shows you how to actually play each chord with the capo where it is • Stage mode: oversized, high contrast, and the screen stays awake on a music stand CAPO HELPER PRO One purchase. No subscription. • Every alternate fingering for a chord, up and down the neck • Alternate tunings — Eb standard, Drop D, DADGAD, Open G and Open D • Partial capos, where each string can sit at its own fret • Bb, Eb and F transpositions for horns, plus a harmonica position finder • Nashville numbers No ads. No tracking. No account. No internet connection needed — all of it works offline. Bought Capo Helper years ago, when it cost a dollar? Tap Restore and Pro is yours. You already paid for it.

About

AmpGate

This app provides a real-time amplifier simulator for mobile devices, featuring exact digital captures of real amplifiers and full rigs. It allows users to browse and audition a vast library of tones, load custom impulse responses, and import their own captures. It also functions as an AUv3 plugin for use in music production hosts.

Highlights
  • Real-time amp simulation
  • Vast tone library access
  • Cabinet section with IR loader
  • Noise gate and gain controls
  • Low-latency processing
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
Features
Read full description

Every amp ever, in your pocket. AmpGate is a Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) player for iPhone and iPad: a real-time amp sim that plays exact digital captures of real amplifiers and full rigs, including the new Architecture 2 (A2) models, the most accurate generation of neural captures yet. BROWSE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TONES Connect your free TONE3000 account and the world's largest tone library opens right inside the app. Search by amp, gear or genre, audition any capture through your own guitar before saving it, and build your collection with one tap. - NAM engine with A2 model support - Cabinet section with impulse response loader, browse TONE3000 IRs or import your own WAV files - Tone stack (bass / mid / treble), noise gate, input and output gain - Low-latency processing tuned for live playing - Import your own .nam captures from the Files app AUv3 PLUGIN INCLUDED Load AmpGate inside GarageBand, Logic Pro, AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis and any other AUv3 host. The app and the plugin share one library: save a tone and it's already in your session. Neural Amp Modeler is an open-source project by Steven Atkinson. TONE3000 is a free third-party service; an account is optional.

Screenshots

Capo Helper4 screens
AmpGate3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Capo Helper at 3.0 against AmpGate's 1.0. Capo Helper also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 0%). AmpGate's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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

Both are free to download. Capo Helper sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AmpGate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Capo Helper holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Capo Helper's written reviews are positive against 0% of AmpGate's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Capo Helper ships an update every 12 months, AmpGate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Capo Helper versus AmpGate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCapo HelperAmpGate
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYsAppsMATTEO DEMETRIO ZANARDI

Customer experience

Capo Helper

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%

AmpGate

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Capo Helper

One-time1
  • Capo Helper Pro$5.99
None

AmpGate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Capo Helper free?
Capo Helper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AmpGate free?
AmpGate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Capo Helper or AmpGate?
Capo Helper is rated higher. Capo Helper averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while AmpGate averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Capo Helper or AmpGate have ads?
Neither Capo Helper nor AmpGate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Capo Helper or AmpGate?
Capo Helper ships an update every 12 months, and AmpGate every 3 weeks. Most recently, Capo Helper was updated on November 1, 2026 and AmpGate on October 31, 2026.

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