Comparison

KeyBee vs Chords Explorer

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

Head to head
About

KeyBee

This app analyzes music in real-time to identify its BPM and musical key. It also keeps a history of recognized songs, offers a stage mode with a timer, and includes a built-in tuner. Analysis is performed on-device for privacy.

Highlights
  • Real-time BPM and key analysis
  • Song history with artwork
  • Stage mode with set timer
  • Tap tempo functionality
  • Instrument and voice tuner
  • Lock Screen and Dynamic Island integration
  • On-device private analysis
Features
Read full description

The BPM, key — and the name — of the music around you. KeyBee listens through your iPhone or iPad microphone, shows the BPM and key in real time, and keeps a list of the songs it hears. Built for DJs, players and producers — keep it open next to you. • Real-time analysis: BPM and key of music from speakers, clubs or the rehearsal room • Song history: title, artist and artwork of every song it hears, in order — heart your favorites and export the tracklist • Stage mode: hold it sideways and the screen stays on with a big clock and a set timer (choose your set length) • Tap tempo: tap four times for a manual BPM; it returns to listening 3 seconds after you stop • Tuner: note name and cents for guitar, bass, piano and voice • Lock Screen & Dynamic Island: keep seeing the values while you use other apps • Camelot keys, iPad, and English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese • Private by design: analysis stays on your device. Audio is never recorded or sent — to name songs, only an audio fingerprint is matched with Shazam • Background listening: turn it on or off in Settings. When enabled, song recognition continues in other apps and with the screen locked. Because KeyBee listens through the microphone, results depend on the room, speakers and noise. Let it listen a little longer for better accuracy.

About

Chords Explorer

This app helps musicians, producers, and songwriters generate and refine chord progressions. It offers various tools like a piano keyboard, guitar fretboard, and random chord generator to spark creativity. Progressions can be exported in multiple formats.

Highlights
  • Piano keyboard and guitar fretboard views
  • Random chord generator
  • Real-time audio playback
  • Smart chord suggestions
  • Drag and reorder chords
  • Custom Chord Builder
  • Export to MIDI, WAV, or TXT
Features
Read full description

Spark your next chord progression. Select a chord or roll the dice → build and refine → export to MIDI, WAV or TXT. Chords Explorer is a chord progression builder designed for musicians, producers and songwriters who want to quickly find and explore new ideas. Features Piano keyboard and guitar fretboard views Random chord generator to break creative blocks Real-time audio playback with adjustable tempo and sustain Smart chord suggestions based on music theory Drag and reorder chords in the timeline Inversions and voicing options Custom Chord Builder — define your own chord types with any interval combination Export to MIDI, WAV or TXT Community progressions — vote and discover Sharp / flat / auto notation that follows the detected key Available in English, Français, Español, Русский, 日本語 ABC and solfège notation Export, custom chords and real-time MIDI output are a one-time unlock — no subscription.

Screenshots

KeyBee3 screens
Chords Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KeyBee at none against Chords Explorer's 2. KeyBee also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 days). Chords Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, 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. Chords Explorer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KeyBee asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KeyBee ships an update every 3 days, Chords Explorer every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
KeyBee versus Chords Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKeyBeeChords Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGyujeong ParkLoup Vuarnesson

Customer experience

KeyBee

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Chords Explorer

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

KeyBee

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Chords Explorer

One-time1
  • Unlock Exports2 variants$2.99

Questions

Is KeyBee free?
KeyBee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chords Explorer free?
Chords Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do KeyBee or Chords Explorer have ads?
Neither KeyBee nor Chords Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KeyBee or Chords Explorer?
KeyBee ships an update every 3 days, and Chords Explorer every 8 days. Most recently, KeyBee was updated on October 24, 2026 and Chords Explorer on October 25, 2026.

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