Comparison

Pentatonics vs JazzShed

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

Head to head
About

Pentatonics

This app visualizes five-note scales and their connection to chords, offering a unique way to explore musical expression. It helps musicians improvise, compose, and understand harmony with clear visual aids and smart filtering options.

Highlights
  • Pentagon scale-chord visualizer
  • Six curated pentatonic scales
  • Smart chord filtering
  • Two-way transposition
  • Layered interval insight
  • Highlight chord tones
  • Save favorite combinations
Features
Read full description

Pentatonics - Take Five Less notes. More music. Visualized. Step back. Level up. Unlock a new world of musical expression with Pentatonics, the visually driven music theory tool that transforms five-note scales into endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re improvising, composing, or exploring harmony, Pentatonics shows you how to say more with less. What Makes It Different Visualize the Scale-Chord Connection A one-of-a-kind pentagon visualizer shows exactly how a scale maps onto a chord, highlighting chord tones, extensions, tensions, and color with instant clarity. Six Curated Pentatonics These aren’t basic box patterns. Each scale is chosen for its harmonic purpose: β€’ Minor 7 (1, b3, 4, 5, b7) β€’ Minor 6 (1, b3, 4, 5, 6) β€’ Minor 7b5 (1, b3, 4, b5, b7) β€’ Major b6 (1, 2, 3, 5, b6) β€’ Major b2 (1, b2, 3, 5, 6) β€’ Whole-Tone (1, 3, #4, #5, b7) Smart Chord Filtering Choose from 14 chord filters to match the sound you want: Major, Minor, Dominant β€” plus altered, sus, and extended voicings like #11, b9, b13, and more. Two-Way Transposition Transpose chord and scale roots independently. Practice in any key. Compose in any context. Teach with full flexibility. Layered Interval Insight Switch between note names and scale degrees to understand how each note functions inside the harmony. Highlight Chord Tones Color-coded overlays show you roots, thirds, sevenths, and more β€” helping you target the strongest notes in your lines. Smart Starting Points Pentatonics finds 47 unique entry points where each scale fits the chord best β€” based on harmonic fit, not guesswork. Across all keys and chords, that’s 7,896 ways to explore expressive sounds. Stay in the Flow β€’ Save your favorite combinations for fast recall β€’ History tracking keeps your recent choices just a tap away β€’ Built-in suggestions point you to the most musical options Who It’s For β€’ Musicians breaking out of tired scale shapes β€’ Improvisers searching for expressive new ideas β€’ Composers seeking color and clarity β€’ Teachers looking to simplify complex harmony β€’ Students learning how theory works in real music Explore. Visualize. Improvise. Pentatonics isn’t just a scale reference. It’s a launchpad for creative growth. Built for modern iOS with a clean, fast interface powered by SwiftUI, it’s designed to keep you thinking less about theory β€” and more about sound. Take five β€” and play like never before!

About

JazzShed

Features
Read full description

Whether you are just starting or already playing, JazzShed trains the core listening and recognition skills you need for jazz harmony: - Chord recognition and spelling - Interval training - Scale drills - Cadence and progression listening Practice is structured, interactive, and designed for short daily sessions. You can use built-in presets for quick starts or customize drills to target specific weak spots. As you train, JazzShed tracks your progress so you can see improvement over time and stay consistent. Key features: - Guided ear-training drills for chords, intervals, scales, and cadences - Multiple drill modes for recognition, spelling, and playback-based practice - Customizable sessions and presets - Progress tracking and spaced review support - Clean practice workflow built for daily use JazzShed is built to help you move from guessing to hearing harmony with confidence.

Screenshots

Pentatonics4 screens
JazzShed4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: JazzShed at Free against Pentatonics's $0.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

JazzShed is free to download; Pentatonics costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentatonics ships an update every 9 days, JazzShed every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 7 level
Pentatonics versus JazzShed: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentatonicsJazzShed
Price$0.99Free β€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 6 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size1 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver Richard Erich NaumannRyan Moffett

In-app purchases

None

Pentatonics

No in-app purchases

None

JazzShed

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentatonics free?
Pentatonics costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JazzShed free?
JazzShed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pentatonics or JazzShed have ads?
Neither Pentatonics nor JazzShed shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentatonics or JazzShed?
Pentatonics ships an update every 9 days, and JazzShed every 6 days. Most recently, Pentatonics was updated on October 16, 2026 and JazzShed on October 28, 2026.

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