Comparison

Nate The Note vs CMT Foundations

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

Head to head
About

Nate The Note

Features
Read full description

Nate the Note is an app intended to teach the basics of music for kids and adults alike. Designed by a Juilliard-trained musician with over 25 years of teaching piano to all ages and levels, the material is presented in small components in a strategic order to maximize learning and retention. Most of the app lessons teach music skills useful for all instruments. In later levels, there will also be lessons specifically for piano playing. In Level 1, you’ll learn to read the note names for the main notes in treble clef and bass clef. Future levels will cover additional note reading skills, rhythm, music terminology, and more. Stay tuned!

About

CMT Foundations

Learn music fundamentals through interactive exercises and performance. Explore music theory, history, and cultures tailored to your instrument. Collaborate with others to compose and perform music.

Highlights
  • Interactive music theory lessons
  • Performance-based learning
  • Instrument-specific exercises
  • Group composition and performance
  • Music history exploration
  • Ear training and sight singing
Features
Read full description

Collective Music Theory is a comprehensive music education app and training guide designed to teach music fundamentals through hands-on performance. Learn essential music theory concepts and explore musical cultures through engaging exercises tailored to your primary instrument. Collaborate in a classroom setting to compose and perform music as a group. Topics include: Music Theory, Rhythm, Ear Training, Sight Singing, Music History, Performance Terminology, and Musical Quartets for all instruments and skill levels. Ideal for aspiring musicians, educators seeking interactive tools for theory instruction, and institutions integrating Collective Music Theory into their curriculum. A monthly subscription or an Institutional Pin is required to access content. Designed for iPad. Accessible on iPhone. For more information about Collective Music Theory, visit https://www.CollectiveMusicTheory.com For Privacy Policies and EULA Policies regarding licensing, app and data usage: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ https://www.collectivemusictheory.com/policies App access requires a subscription level of 3-months, 6-months, or 1 year. 3 Month Subscription $19.99/month (auto-renew) 6 Month Subscription $17.99/month (auto-renew) 1 Year Subscription $14.99/month (auto-renew) Copyright 2025 Collective Music Theory LLC.

Screenshots

Nate The Note4 screens
CMT Foundations4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nate The Note at none against CMT Foundations's 3. Nate The Note also leads on iOS requirement (12.2 vs 14.0.0). CMT Foundations's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, 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. CMT Foundations sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Nate The Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nate The Note ships an update every 3 months, CMT Foundations every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Nate The Note versus CMT Foundations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNate The NoteCMT Foundations
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.2 — better14.0.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB69 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperHeather Turney SchmidtCollective Music Theory

In-app purchases

None

Nate The Note

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

CMT Foundations

Subscriptions3
  • CMT Foundations Annual$14.991 Year
  • CMT Foundations 6 Months$17.996 Months
  • CMT Foundations 3 Months$19.993 Months

Questions

Is Nate The Note free?
Nate The Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CMT Foundations free?
CMT Foundations is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Nate The Note or CMT Foundations have ads?
Neither Nate The Note nor CMT Foundations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nate The Note or CMT Foundations?
Nate The Note ships an update every 3 months, and CMT Foundations every 5 weeks. Most recently, Nate The Note was updated on September 26, 2026 and CMT Foundations on October 4, 2026.

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