PenVox vs Opus Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PenVox
This app provides a comprehensive suite of tools for songwriters, from drafting lyrics with section headers and multiple versions to accessing rhyming dictionaries, thesauruses, and AI assistance for creative blocks. It also includes multi-track audio recording, a chromatic tuner, metronome, and collaboration features.
- Distraction-free lyrics editor with section headers
- Multiple versions per song
- Rhymes, thesaurus, dictionary, and emotion tools
- AI helper for brainstorming and overcoming blocks
- Multi-track audio recording up to 5 takes
- Chromatic tuner and metronome with practice sets
- Collaboration with co-writers
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PenVox is a songwriting studio built for people who take writing seriously. Write the lyrics, build the chords, record your ideas and finish songs in one focused app. WRITE WITHOUT FRICTION - Distraction-free lyrics editor with section headers ([Verse], [Chorus], [Bridge]) - Rhyme colors: words that rhyme share a color, so your rhyme scheme jumps off the page - Syllable counts beside every line, with a check against your first verse or chorus - Multiple versions per song — star the one you want to open - Auto-save as you type - Voice dictation for capturing lines on the fly - Notes panel for ideas and reminders - Word, line, and syllable counts WRITING TOOLS BUILT IN - Rhymes — perfect and near rhymes, right from your lyrics - Thesaurus — synonyms and related words - Dictionary — definitions, parts of speech, examples - Emotions — 12 categories to find the right feeling - Phrases — common songwriting hooks and patterns - AI Coach — brainstorm, revise, and break through blocks - Freestyle — random word generator with timer mode CHORDS - Chord projects for the music behind your lyrics - Tap chords in any key, with numbers, feel colors, and guitar and piano shapes - Ready-made progressions, or hum a melody and get chords that fit - Real instrument sounds, drums and bass, in simple rhythms or 41 styles, or make your own - Lyrics beside each section's chords, with Rhymes - Record over the chords and mix with levels, pan, reverb, delay and Tune - Export a chord sheet (PDF), MIDI, or the chords as audio SYNC, PERFORM AND SHARE - Sync Lyrics: tap along as each line is sung - Performance View: your lyrics full screen, in time with your track - Lyric videos for Reels, TikTok and Shorts - Share your lines as an image ORGANIZE YOUR CATALOG - Albums (a song can be in more than one), favorites, and custom sort order - Search across every lyric and title, and search your Recent songs - Grid and list views - Deadline tracking with days-left indicators - Tags for genre, BPM, and key RECORD AND LAYER AUDIO - Multi-track recording — stack up to 10 takes per song - Import audio from your device - Play All transport with 15-second seek - Loop any part of a track while you write - Rename, delete, and export individual tracks TUNER AND METRONOME - Chromatic tuner with cents-accurate pitch detection - Full metronome with time signatures, subdivisions, and multiple sounds - Practice Sets — build routines with multiple BPMs and durations - Save and recall metronome presets COLLABORATE - Write together, live: see each co-writer's cursor and name as they type - Invite co-writers with Editor, Viewer, or Commenter roles - Co-writers hear the song's audio tracks - Invite co-writers to chord projects - Share links for quick access - Share Calendars EXPORT - Export songs as PDF, HTML, plain text, or for DistroKid - Export your entire catalog at once Constant updates and improvements! PenVox also works on the web at penvox.app, so your songs travel with you. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Opus Journal
Log and rate classical music you listen to, building a personal record of your musical journey. Get personalized recommendations based on your listening history and preferences. Seamlessly integrate with streaming services to easily log your sessions.
- Log and rate classical works
- Personalized recommendations
- Curated composer and work database
- Custom composer/work entry
- Streaming service integration
- iCloud backup and sync
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Opus is a listening journal for classical music lovers. Log the works you listen to, rate them, and write about what moved you. Over time you'll build a priceless personal record of your journey through the repertoire. And the more you write, the better Opus gets at suggesting what to listen to next. NEXT LISTEN — RECOMMENDATIONS THAT TELL YOU WHY Opus draws on what you've loved, rated, and written about to suggest new works that fit where your taste is going. Every recommendation comes with a short note explaining the connection. A CLASSICAL LIBRARY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Choose from a curated database of major composers and works without typing, so your entries are always accurate. Exploring something off the beaten path? Add any composer or piece yourself in seconds. WORKS WITH EVERY STREAMING SERVICE Listening on Apple Music? Add the exact recording straight from your library, and your recently played classical music is surfaced automatically. Prefer Spotify, YouTube, TIDAL, or something else? Just paste a link. However you listen, logging a session takes seconds. LOG LIVE CONCERTS Some nights you hear it in person. Log those too: add the venue, the performers, and your photos, and every concert gets a map of where in the world you heard it. From the famous halls to the one in your city. YOURS FOREVER Your journal is backed up and synced across all your devices with iCloud, and stays completely private. A lifelong record that grows richer with every listen.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: PenVox at 100% against Opus Journal's 50%. PenVox also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). Opus Journal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ratings volume, 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. PenVox sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Opus Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.
PenVox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of PenVox's written reviews are positive against 50% of Opus Journal's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PenVox | Opus Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 57 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PenVox LLC | Jacob Ruiz |
Customer experience
PenVox
Opus Journal
In-app purchases
PenVox
- PenVox Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- PenVox Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
Opus Journal
No in-app purchases









