TEFpad vs Mandolin Chords Compass Lite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite
Instantly discover over 8,000 mandolin chord voicings across all fretboard positions. Hear how each chord sounds and find the perfect fit for your music without needing a music theory degree. Supports mandolin, mandola, and mandocello.
- 8,000+ chord voicings
- Instant visual chord diagrams
- Audio playback for each chord
- 56 chord types supported
- Supports Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello
- Left-handed friendly
- Offline access
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Stop Struggling to Find the Perfect Mandolin Chord — Discover 8,000+ Voicings Instantly! Tired of Playing the Same Basic Chords? You know the feeling. You're writing a song or learning a new piece, and you need that perfect chord voicing — the one that makes your music sing. But where is it on the fretboard? Which position sounds best? Hours spent searching online chord charts. Flipping through dusty chord books. Watching endless YouTube tutorials. And still, you're stuck playing the same predictable voicings everyone else uses. What if you could unlock EVERY possible chord voicing across the entire mandolin fretboard in seconds? Your Complete Chord Library — At Your Fingertips Mandolin Chords Compass Lite puts a professional-grade chord encyclopedia in your pocket. Using our specially developed algorithm, this app instantly shows you every playable voicing for any chord across all 11 fretboard positions. No music theory degree required. No guesswork. Just tap and play. Why Mandolin Players Love This App: + 8,000 Chord Voicings — From basic triads to complex jazz extensions, find exactly what your music needs + Instant Visual Clarity — See clear, easy-to-read chord diagrams for every position on the neck + Hear Before You Play — Listen to authentic mandolin sound for each chord to choose the perfect voicing + 56 Chord Types — Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Sus2, Sus4, 5th chords, plus 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, Maj7, and Add9 variations for each + 3 Instruments Supported — Mandolin, Mandola, AND Mandocello with standard tunings for each + GarageBand Compatible — Chord notation perfectly matches GarageBand smart instruments for seamless integration + Left-Handed Friendly — Full support for left-handed players + Play Anywhere — No internet connection needed once installed How It Works (It's Ridiculously Simple): 1. Select your chord root (4 Notes) 2. Choose your chord type (Major, Minor, Diminished, etc.) 3. Pick your addition (6th, 7th, 9th, or none) 4. Explore every possible voicing instantly! Tap any diagram to hear how it sounds. Swipe through positions. Find the perfect chord for your song in seconds instead of hours. Perfect For: + Songwriters seeking fresh, unique voicings + Students expanding their chord vocabulary + Session players who need quick reference + Teachers demonstrating multiple voicing options + Anyone tired of playing the same old chords What Makes This Different? Unlike static chord books or limited online charts, our intelligent algorithm calculates EVERY playable voicing across the entire fretboard. You're not just learning chords — you're discovering the full sonic palette of your instrument. Try It Risk-Free! The Lite Version gives you full access to chords in 4 notes — perfect for exploring the app's power and seeing if it's right for you. Ready to expand your musical horizons? Download Mandolin Chords Compass Lite today and discover chord voicings you never knew existed. Your next favorite chord is waiting. --- Note: Lite Version includes chords for 4 notes. For the complete 12-note chromatic scale, upgrade to the Full Version anytime! --- Download now and transform your mandolin playing today!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: TEFpad at 64% against Mandolin Chords Compass Lite's 0%. TEFpad also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 69 months) and ratings volume (46 vs 9). Mandolin Chords Compass Lite's advantage is price (Free vs $5.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On 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
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite is free to download; TEFpad costs $5.99 up front. TEFpad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mandolin Chords Compass Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TEFpad has 46 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of TEFpad's written reviews are positive against 0% of Mandolin Chords Compass Lite's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, Mandolin Chords Compass Lite every 69 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TEFpad | Mandolin Chords Compass Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (46 ratings) | 4.4 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 64.4% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 46 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 69 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TablEdit | Max Schlee |
Customer experience
TEFpad
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
TEFpad
- TEFpad Pro$19.99
Mandolin Chords Compass Lite
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is TEFpad free?
Is Mandolin Chords Compass Lite free?
Which has better reviews, TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite?
Do TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite have ads?
Which is updated more often, TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite?
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