Comparison

Chords Explorer vs Etherpad

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

Head to head
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.

About

Etherpad

Create evolving soundscapes and ambient textures with an intuitive touch-based music synthesizer. Explore generative music without needing music theory, perfect for relaxation or creative expression.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch synthesis
  • Multiple sound presets
  • Visual particle effects
  • Effect overlays
  • Scale selection
  • Landscape & portrait modes
  • Low-latency audio
Features
Read full description

Etherpad is an expressive touch-based music synthesis instrument for iPhone, iPad and your Mac. Sweep your fingers across the screen to create evolving soundscapes, ambient drones, and generative textures. (AUv3 support in Beta) Powered by the legendary Csound audio engine, Etherpad turns your device into a portable synthesizer that responds to every touch with rich, organic sound. No music theory required — just touch, listen, and explore. KEY FEATURES • Multi-touch synthesis — Each finger controls pitch and timbre independently • Distinct Soundscapes — Switch between evolving pad sounds and textures • Reactive Visuals — ripples, trails, rings, and column glow respond to every touch • 14 evolving sounds — from lush pads to Glass Choir, PWM Pad, and Morphwave • Advanced Scales & Tuning — Break out of standard keys and explore the Bohlen-Pierce scale, overtone series, pentatonics, and more • Jam Sessions — Load your own audio tracks directly into the app and play along with your creative flow • MIDI 2.0 — per-note expression and full MIDI support for connected controllers (Beta) • AUv3 plug-in — play Etherpad inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other hosts (Beta) • Ultra Low-latency audio — Built on Csound, the industry-standard audio engine PERFECT FOR • Ambient and drone musicians • Meditation and relaxation • Beginners exploring sound synthesis • Live performers and improvisers • Sound designers and experimental composers • Anyone curious about generative music Website: https://etherpad.app Touch the surface. Hear the universe.

Screenshots

Chords Explorer4 screens
Etherpad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Etherpad at none against Chords Explorer's 2. Etherpad also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Chords Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Etherpad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Chords Explorer against 4.9 for Etherpad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 20 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chords Explorer ships an update weekly, Etherpad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chords Explorer versus Etherpad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChords ExplorerEtherpad
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better4.9 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings720 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLoup VuarnessonDinesh Yadav

Customer experience

Chords Explorer

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

Etherpad

All ratings20 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Chords Explorer

One-time1
  • Unlock Exports2 variants$2.99
None

Etherpad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chords Explorer free?
Chords Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Etherpad free?
Etherpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chords Explorer or Etherpad?
Chords Explorer is rated higher. Chords Explorer averages 5.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Etherpad averages 4.9 from 20 ratings.
Do Chords Explorer or Etherpad have ads?
Neither Chords Explorer nor Etherpad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chords Explorer or Etherpad?
Chords Explorer ships an update weekly, and Etherpad every 2 days. Most recently, Chords Explorer was updated on October 6, 2026 and Etherpad on September 22, 2026.

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