Comparison

TEFpad vs Banjo Chords Compass Lite

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

Head to head
About

TEFpad

This app is a tablature editor for iOS devices that allows users to open, display, print, and play TablEdit files. It supports importing various music file formats and offers editing capabilities for creating new arrangements or modifying existing ones. Advanced features and unlimited saving are available through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • Import various music file formats
  • Create new tablature arrangements
  • Edit and save tablature files
  • Display tablature and standard notation
  • MIDI playback with real-time control
  • Export to PDF, ABC, MIDI, WAV, and Music XML
Features
Read full description

TEFpad is a tablature editor designed for the iPad that implements most features available in the TablEdit desktop program. It is also compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. Just like TEFview for iOS, our free file viewer, TEFpad opens, displays, prints and plays all TablEdit files (.tef format). It imports as well many types of music files (ASCII tablatures, ABC files, MusicXML, MIDI, Guitar Pro, PowerTab...). In addition to this, TEFpad opens TabRite files and lets you create new tablature arrangements from scratch. The files you have created on your device with TEFpad can be edited and saved without any limitation. Warning: You can edit files not created with TEFpad or imported into TEFpad, but only the first 16 measures can be saved. Likewise the app does not allow copying the contents of one of these files into another .tef file. To get rid of these limitations, you can upgrade to TEFpad Pro (available as an In-App purchase). The .tef files saved with TEFpad can be opened and modified in the TablEdit desktop program that offers advanced capabilities not completely available in TEFpad. Please submit your suggestions and bug reports to http://www.tabledit.com/contact/feedback/ Specifications: - Open/Import TablEdit, ASCII, ABC, MIDI, Music XML, PowerTab, TABrite and GuitarPro files - Optical recognition of tablatures and scores (PDF or image) - Extracts TablEdit files contained in a zip archive - Display tablature and/or standard notation - English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Chinese and Italian language support - Embedded Help (tap the info button in the top-right corner of the screen) - File manager with subdirectory management - Email files as attachment - PDF export. The PDF can be emailed or opened in a third party app - iTunes file sharing - WIFI file sharing - Integration with the Files app - MIDI Playback with full real time control (speed, pitch, volume and MIDI instrument) - Metronome and count down settings - Ability to change the soundfont and to access all the presets - Playlist - Customize background color for screen, special keyboard, palettes, - Print to an Air Printer - ABC, MIDI, ASCII, WAV file, Music XML export - Time and Key signature setup along with a transpose feature - Measures management (Add/Delete/Copy/Move/Pick-up measure) - Instrument setup (String number, Tuning, Capo, Clef...) - Quantize notes (after a MIDI import) - Enter notes and rests in the tablature or standard notation - Edit notes (duration, velocity, special effect, staccato...) - Create chord diagrams - Insert text, tempo changes, pick strokes and fingerings and format them - Create and edit lyrics - Reading guides (repeats and endings) - Fingerboard or keyboard view - External keyboard support - Support for Page turners - Print options dialog - Support drum tabs and pedal steel guitar tabs - Simple grace note management - iPad Pro support

About

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

This app provides a comprehensive reference for banjo chords, offering thousands of chord tabs for both 4-string and 5-string banjos. It features authentic sound playback, supports various chord types and tunings, and includes options for both right and left-handed players.

Highlights
  • 8,000+ chord tabs
  • 4-string and 5-string support
  • Authentic banjo chord sounds
  • 56 chord types
  • Multiple common tunings
  • Right/Left-handed modes
  • Offline access
Features
Read full description

Master banjo chords easily with the comprehensive chord reference app Banjo Chords Compass Lite! It delivers 8,000 professional-quality chord tabs across the 11 fretboard positions for both 4-string and 5-string banjos! Key Features: + Access to all of the 8,000 chords + Supports both 5-string and 4-string banjos + Play and hear authentic banjo chord sounds + Supports 56 chord types: Maj, Min, Dim, Aug, Sus2, Sus4, 5, and more + All common tunings: Open G, Standard C, Open D, Old-Time D, and others + Right- and Left-handed player modes available + High-resolution Retina graphics for exceptional clarity Built for: + Beginners who want to learn chords quickly + Intermediate players expanding their chord knowledge + Advanced musicians composing, recording, or teaching + Anyone looking for a reliable banjo reference tool Why Choose Banjo Chords Compass Lite: + Instant offline access to the chord library + Professional-grade tool to help you elevate your skills + Available on all of your Apple devices: iPhone, iPad and Mac + Upgrade whenever you want: the Lite Version offers the chords for 4 key notes, if you need the chords for the complete note set, you can easily upgrade to the Full Version Download Banjo Chords Compass Lite to transform and elevate your banjo playing today! Or get the full version to access the complete note set and unlock the full potential of Banjo Chords Compass!

Screenshots

TEFpad4 screens
Banjo Chords Compass Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Banjo Chords Compass Lite at Free against TEFpad's $5.99. Banjo Chords Compass Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). TEFpad's advantage is review sentiment (64% vs 20%) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 69 months). On 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

Banjo Chords Compass Lite is free to download; TEFpad costs $5.99 up front. TEFpad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Banjo Chords Compass Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TEFpad holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 90 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of TEFpad's written reviews are positive against 20% of Banjo Chords Compass Lite's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, Banjo Chords Compass Lite every 69 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
TEFpad versus Banjo Chords Compass Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTEFpadBanjo Chords Compass Lite
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (46 ratings) — better4.0 (90 ratings)
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4690 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 69 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTablEditMax Schlee

Customer experience

TEFpad

All ratings46 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral6.5%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive64.4%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

All ratings90 ratings
Positive71.1%
Neutral12.2%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

Bugs and requests

TEFpad

Reported bugs

42 issues
  • Rating pop-ups ignore iOS settings
  • Pro version disappeared after purchase
  • App crashes when printing
  • Audio quits playing
  • Adding pull-offs creates ties across bars
Show 37 more
  • Imported Guitar Pro files have errors (triplets, repeat barlines)
  • Triplet button inconsistency
  • App crashes
  • Work not saved when app crashes
  • Song title not saved
  • Dulcimer TAB not working
  • Tab won't switch to dulcimer DAD TAB
  • Highlighting and repeating passages is difficult
  • Vertical highlighter does not work
  • Notes muted during playback due to highlighter issues
  • File corruption
  • PTB files corrupt
  • 1/8 beat time signature issues
  • Cannot save as a different name (overwrites original)
  • Inserting double bar that cannot be removed
  • Reversing tablature issues
  • Changing instrument destroys file
  • Automatic rests not working correctly
  • Saving files beyond 16th measure is lost
  • Unable to close options popup
  • Notes and playback are 1 octave apart
  • Triplets not entering correctly
  • Saving a tab deleted it
  • Spontaneously closes without saving
  • Cannot view bar being edited
  • Cannot delete bars without tempo/key dialog
  • Cannot delete notes without undo/select/cut
  • Cannot save more than 16 bars of a file
  • Sudden crashes after update
  • Cannot close options popup
  • Cannot add bars after Pro upgrade
  • Cannot change instrument after import
  • Cannot find how to change tempo
  • Cannot change instrument assignment and volume
  • Deleting past 16th measure on import
  • Pages reflow on zoom
  • Cannot select multiple measures/notes

Requested features

21 requests
  • Search function for manual
  • Support for Apple Magic Keyboard
  • Simultaneous input of text, chords, and TAB numbers
  • Ability to change instrument display on sidebar
  • Ability to make font larger
Show 16 more
  • Add title on first page
  • Add D.S. al Coda and Fine
  • Add lyrics and chord notation
  • Files app support (iOS 11 folder support)
  • Open in functionality
  • Custom instrument input (number of strings, string notes)
  • Solfege notation conversion
  • Ability to change pedal steel pedal assignments
  • Ability to customize button placement and size
  • Swing eighth notes setting
  • Better scrolling
  • Custom tuning transpose functionality
  • Cut-and-paste between files/tunings
  • Easier to delete bars/notes
  • Delete notes without undoing/cutting
  • Double tap to open file

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TEFpad

One-time1
  • TEFpad Pro$19.99
None

Banjo Chords Compass Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TEFpad free?
TEFpad costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Banjo Chords Compass Lite free?
Banjo Chords Compass Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TEFpad or Banjo Chords Compass Lite?
TEFpad is rated higher. TEFpad averages 4.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Banjo Chords Compass Lite averages 4.0 from 90 ratings.
Do TEFpad or Banjo Chords Compass Lite have ads?
Neither TEFpad nor Banjo Chords Compass Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TEFpad or Banjo Chords Compass Lite?
TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, and Banjo Chords Compass Lite every 69 months. Most recently, TEFpad was updated on October 15, 2026 and Banjo Chords Compass Lite on October 11, 2026.

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