# TEFpad vs Mandolin Chords Compass Lite

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | TEFpad | Mandolin Chords Compass Lite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.2 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471/reviews) | **[4.4 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mandolin-chords-compass-lite/id1121687970/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **46** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **64.4% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 69 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 9 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TablEdit](https://appshunter.io/developer/492060416) | [Max Schlee](https://appshunter.io/developer/429770420) |

## What reviewers say

### TEFpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TEFpad Pro | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive usability
- 🎵 Versatile for music notation
- 🎸 Excellent for tablature
- 📱 Mobile convenience
- 💡 Powerful features for price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Manual difficult to use
- 🖱️ Clunky interface
- 🐞 Buggy performance
- 💸 Expensive Pro version
- 📚 Incomplete help files

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Mandolin Chords Compass Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mandolin-chords-compass-lite/id1121687970)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TEFpad free?

TEFpad costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Mandolin Chords Compass Lite free?

Mandolin Chords Compass Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite?

Mandolin Chords Compass Lite is rated higher. TEFpad averages 4.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Mandolin Chords Compass Lite averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.

### Do TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite have ads?

Neither TEFpad nor Mandolin Chords Compass Lite shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TEFpad or Mandolin Chords Compass Lite?

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, and Mandolin Chords Compass Lite every 69 months. Most recently, TEFpad was updated on October 15, 2026 and Mandolin Chords Compass Lite on October 8, 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.*