Comparison

ChordPond vs Etherpad

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

Head to head
About

ChordPond

This music creation tool lets you visualize chord progressions as paths on a canvas. Connect chord tiles, experiment with various modes, and instantly hear your compositions through a built-in synth or by routing MIDI to other instruments and DAWs.

Highlights
  • Visual chord tiles on a freeform canvas
  • Built-in AUv3 Synth
  • Load and play AUv3 instruments
  • Scale-aware chords and inversions
  • Chord modes (Hold, Stutter, Arp, etc.)
  • Scene Automation for song arrangements
  • MIDI export and Ableton Link sync
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

CHORDPOND - Visual Chord-Tile Sequencer CHORDPOND is a visual MIDI composition tool for iPad and iPhone where chord progressions become paths through chord tiles. Drop chords onto a canvas, connect them with paths, hit play, and hear them instantly through the built-in Frog Synth - or route MIDI to your favorite AUv3 instruments, external synths, or DAW. Built for songwriters, producers, performers, and curious explorers, ChordPond turns harmony into something you can see, touch, and rearrange in seconds. Key Features: - Visual chord tiles on a freeform canvas - Built-in AUv3 Synth for instant sound - Load and play AUv3 instruments directly inside ChordPond - Scale-aware chords, tensions, inversions, and bass control - Hold, Stutter, Arp, Roll, Motif, and Random chord modes - Draw paths between chords with per-node duration, gate, and ratchet settings - Scene Automation for building complete song arrangements - Multiple scenes per project - 20+ scales including modal, jazz, world, and experimental scales - Per-note probability, velocity, micro-timing, and ratchets - MIDI export - Ableton Link sync - AUv3 MIDI plugin for Logic Pro, AUM, Cubasis, Loopy Pro, and more - CoreMIDI support for external instruments - Shared projects between standalone and AUv3 versions - Designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac (Catalyst) Designed for ideas. Built for progression.

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

ChordPond4 screens
Etherpad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Etherpad at Free against ChordPond's $3.99. Etherpad also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). ChordPond's advantage is chart position (#198 vs unranked). On rating, ads, in-app purchases 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

Etherpad is free to download; ChordPond costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ChordPond against 4.9 for Etherpad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 20 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of ChordPond's written reviews are positive against 100% of Etherpad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChordPond ships an update weekly, Etherpad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ChordPond versus Etherpad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChordPondEtherpad
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.9 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings620 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteffen Mølgaard LarsenDinesh Yadav

Customer experience

ChordPond

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Etherpad

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

In-app purchases

None

ChordPond

No in-app purchases

None

Etherpad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ChordPond free?
ChordPond costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Etherpad free?
Etherpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ChordPond or Etherpad?
ChordPond is rated higher. ChordPond averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Etherpad averages 4.9 from 20 ratings.
Do ChordPond or Etherpad have ads?
Neither ChordPond nor Etherpad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChordPond or Etherpad?
ChordPond ships an update weekly, and Etherpad every 2 days. Most recently, ChordPond was updated on September 15, 2026 and Etherpad on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons