WhatChord MIDI vs SynthBridge MIDI Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WhatChord MIDI
Identify chords from live MIDI input or manual note entry. Explore harmony, build chords, and browse scales with musically informed analysis. Learn and understand music theory with real-time feedback.
- Real-time chord recognition
- Manual chord lookup
- Explore chords and scales
- Musically informed analysis
- Alternative chord interpretations
- MIDI compatibility
Read full descriptionHide full description
Identify chords from live MIDI or manual note entry, follow the key as you play, then explore the harmony behind them. Stop guessing what chord you're playing. WhatChord gives musicians fast, musically informed chord names and live key context. Connect a Bluetooth or USB MIDI keyboard for instant feedback, or use the lookup pad to enter notes from any instrument, sheet music, or recording. Auto key detection listens to your recent live chords, shows confidence, and waits when the evidence is ambiguous. Explore Chords and Explore Scales let you build and hear chords, browse a wide range of scales, inspect keyboard patterns, and understand diatonic harmony. Play it. Explore it. Learn it. WhatChord goes beyond simple note matching. Its musically informed analysis considers inversions, extensions, slash chords, altered tones, key context, and conventional naming practices so chord names appear the way musicians expect to see them. When you're comping with a bassist, Ensemble mode names rootless voicings as the chords they imply and marks the implied root on the keyboard. FEATURES - Real-time chord recognition Chord names update immediately as you play. - Automatic key detection Auto mode estimates the current key from recent live chords, shows confidence across major and minor keys, and can keep the app's key context following your playing. - Manual chord lookup Enter notes directly to identify a chord, choose its bass note, and inspect alternative interpretations without connecting a MIDI device. - Explore chords Tap the chord card to open explore mode and build or hear chords without a keyboard by adjusting the root, quality, extensions, and bass note. - Explore scales Tap the scale-degree strip to browse a wide range of scales with tones, keyboard patterns, and diatonic chords. - Musically informed analysis Recognizes inversions, extensions, slash chords, upper structures, altered tones, and complex harmony. - Ensemble mode When comping with a bassist, switch to Ensemble so rootless voicings are named as the chords they imply. - Alternative interpretations See other valid chord names when more than one reading makes musical sense. - Context-aware spelling Uses enharmonic notation based on key signature and chord function. - Customizable notation Choose the chord symbol style you prefer. - MIDI compatibility Works with standard Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI keyboards and controllers. RECOGNITION WhatChord identifies everything from simple triads to rich extended harmony and follows key context from real playing. Whether you're practicing theory, learning progressions, exploring altered dominants, or working through dense extended chords, the app names what you play with accuracy and musical intent. PRIVACY WhatChord is free, contains no ads, and collects no personal data. All analysis happens locally on your device. GET STARTED Play through MIDI, enter notes manually, or start exploring chords, keys, and scales right away.
SynthBridge MIDI Synth
Transform your device into a versatile MIDI sound module and virtual piano. Load SoundFont files, connect controllers, and utilize expressive performance tools for practice, production, or live music.
- MIDI controller support (Bluetooth, USB, Network)
- SoundFont (SF2/SF3) loading and playback
- Multi-touch piano keyboard and drum pads
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- MIDI file playback and recording
- Customizable velocity curves
Read full descriptionHide full description
Connect your MIDI keyboard, choose a sound, and play. SynthBridge turns your phone or tablet into a portable sound module and practice workspace. You can also start with the on-screen piano and drum pads. Your sounds: use the built-in library or import SF2/SF3 SoundFonts. Layer sounds and adjust their balance, effects and keyboard ranges. Your keyboard: connect compatible USB MIDI or Bluetooth MIDI devices. Control supported parameters with MIDI CC messages. Your practice: play MIDI files, follow the note visualization, and combine a metronome, loops and Style accompaniment. Your ideas: record MIDI performances, keep named drafts, preview takes and export MIDI files. MIDI files can also be converted to WAV or AAC audio. Your setup: save performance scenes and return to your sounds and playing settings. Use portrait or landscape layouts on phones and tablets. Some features and resources require in-app purchases. iOS or iPadOS 15.0 or later. USB and Bluetooth MIDI require compatible devices and accessories. https://synth.64bit.us/privacy.html https://synth.64bit.us/terms.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WhatChord MIDI at none against SynthBridge MIDI Synth's 7. WhatChord MIDI also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). SynthBridge MIDI Synth's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. SynthBridge MIDI Synth sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. WhatChord MIDI asks for nothing beyond the download.
WhatChord MIDI holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
WhatChord MIDI ships an update weekly, SynthBridge MIDI Synth every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WhatChord MIDI | SynthBridge MIDI Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.8 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 76 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Aaron Bull Schaefer | 啟东 徐 |
Customer experience
WhatChord MIDI
SynthBridge MIDI Synth
In-app purchases
WhatChord MIDI
No in-app purchases
SynthBridge MIDI Synth
- Cloud Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Cloud Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
- Supporter Tip$0.99
- Remove Ads$1.99
- Supporter Plus$4.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- SynthBridge Pro$4.99
- Supporter Patron$9.99
Questions
Is WhatChord MIDI free?
Is SynthBridge MIDI Synth free?
Which has better reviews, WhatChord MIDI or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
Do WhatChord MIDI or SynthBridge MIDI Synth have ads?
Which is updated more often, WhatChord MIDI or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
Other comparisons















