OtoTheory vs Hook Player
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OtoTheory
Create music theory-correct chord progressions intuitively, even without prior knowledge. Features AI song analysis, real-time editing with backing tracks, and MIDI export for digital audio workstations.
- AI Chord Import
- Chord Progression Builder
- 15 Groove Patterns
- 50 Presets
- OtoTheory AI Suggestions
- MIDI Export
- Fretboard & Keyboard Views
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Write chord progressions that hold together musically, without studying theory first. Choose a key, choose a preset, and it plays immediately with drums, bass and keys behind it. Then replace chords while the loop runs until it becomes your own. Or start from sound: detect chords from your own audio, or from a quick recording of your playing. The result is editable, so use it as a draft for learning a part by ear, or turn a recorded idea into a progression. Free to start. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a key and scale. Only the chords that fit are offered. 2. Choose a preset, place chords yourself, or detect them from your own audio. 3. Press play. A full backing arrangement starts. 4. Replace any chord while it plays, and keep what works. WHAT YOU GET FREE - Chord Progression Builder All 12 keys and every scale. Tensions and slash chords included. Auto-loop, BPM 40-180. - Chord Detection From an audio file or your own recording. Correct anything the detection missed and keep building from there. Free to try, and unlimited with Pro. - Stem Separation Split an imported song into four parts (vocals, drums, bass and other) and play just the parts you want to hear. All on-device. Works on iPhone and iPad with an A14 Bionic, M1 or later chip. - Playback Tools for Learning by Ear Play an imported song at 0.75x or 0.5x without changing its pitch. Use Repeat to loop just the bars you select, Pitch to shift the key in half steps, and EQ to bring out low or high sounds. - 60+ Progression Presets Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Ballad and more, all free. - 12 Groove Styles Straight, Bounce, Strum, Piano, Shuffle, Pulse, Lo-Fi, a sustained-chord mode for the harmony, plus 6/8 and 12/8 ballad and rock. - Chord Import Ask any AI chatbot for a song's chords and paste them in: instant analysis and playback. - Suggestions OtoTheory proposes chords that fit the key, the scale and the chords around the slot you are editing. All come from music theory, so the progression holds together. - Key & Scale Analysis Auto-detect key and scale, with fit % and degree notation (I, IV, V). - Fretboard & Keyboard Guitar, bass and piano views. Chord tones light up in real time as the progression plays. Tap a note to hear it. - Section Management Verse, Chorus, Bridge, with repeat counts per section. - Capo Suggestions Find easier shapes for acoustic guitar. - 3 Local Saves (sketches and detected songs combined) PRO - Unlimited Chord Detection and Recording The heart of Pro. Detect from your own audio, or record yourself and detect from that, as often as you like. - Unlimited Saves + iCloud Sync Keep every idea, not just three. Sync between iPhone and iPad, and carry it to a new device. - 38 More Groove Styles (50 in all) City Pop, Neo-Soul, Bossa Nova, Lounge Jazz, Amapiano, Trap, Afrobeats, Reggaeton, Salsa, Gospel, Arena Rock and more, plus 6/8 and 12/8 feels. - MIDI Export A readable chord track, guide tones, a bass track and section markers. Kick, snare, hi-hat and each percussion instrument arrive on separate tracks, so you can rebalance, swap samples or re-quantize one without touching the rest. Tested in Logic Pro, Cubase and Ableton Live. - Audio Export Groove-backed audio for video and social posts. - No House Banners The in-app promotional banner is gone. Pro is monthly, yearly or a one-time purchase. Prices are shown in the app. WHO IT IS FOR Guitarists who want to write songs before studying theory. Producers sketching pre-production before opening a DAW. Players who want scale guides to solo over their own changes. FAQ Q: Do I need to know music theory? A: No. Choose a key and scale, and only the chords that fit are offered. Q: What does Pro add? A: Mainly unlimited chord detection: the free tier has a cap, Pro has none. It also adds unlimited saves with iCloud sync, 38 more grooves, and MIDI and audio export. support@ototheory.com Privacy: https://ototheory.com/privacy Terms: https://ototheory.com/terms
Hook Player
This music player allows you to quickly preview songs from your Apple Music library by focusing on their most engaging parts. Easily swipe through tracks to find new music or full songs to enjoy.
- Preview songs by highlights
- Swipe to skip or go back
- Full song playback
- Search Apple Music
- Discover new music
- Manage playback queue
- View artist pages
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HOOKは、Apple Musicの曲を「いいところ」からテンポよくチェックするための音楽プレイヤーです。 新しい曲を探したい。 でも、1曲ずつ最初から聴くのは時間がかかる。 HOOKなら、曲のサビや盛り上がる部分を中心に流し聴きしながら、気になる曲をすばやく見つけられます。 【主な機能】 ・QUICK HOOK Apple Musicのライブラリやプレイリストから曲を選び、サビ付近を中心に次々とチェックできます。 ・スワイプで曲送り 左スワイプや上スワイプで次の曲へ。 右スワイプや下スワイプで前の曲へ。 片手でテンポよく音楽を探せます。 ・FULL SONG 気になった曲は、そのままフル再生。 シーク、シャッフル、リピートにも対応しています。 ・Apple Music検索 曲、アルバム、プレイリストを検索して、そのままHOOK再生できます。 ・おすすめ、新着、Top Songs Apple Musicのおすすめや最近再生した曲、新着音楽、人気曲から新しい音楽を発見できます。 ・キュー表示 再生予定の曲を確認し、順番の変更や削除ができます。 ・アーティストページ 再生画面のアーティスト名をタップすると、そのアーティストの楽曲や作品をチェックできます。 「全部聴く前に、まず気になる部分だけ聴きたい。」 HOOKは、そんな音楽の探し方のために作られたプレイヤーです。 ※本アプリの利用にはApple Musicへのアクセス許可が必要です。 ※一部の機能には有効なApple Musicサブスクリプションが必要です。
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hook Player at none against OtoTheory's 2. Hook Player also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 91%). OtoTheory's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 27.0). 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
Both are free to download. OtoTheory sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Hook Player asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | OtoTheory | Hook Player |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 27.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NORITO HARADA | TAKASHI NOSE |
Customer experience
OtoTheory
Hook Player
In-app purchases
OtoTheory
- OtoTheory7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- OtoTheory Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Hook Player
No in-app purchases









