Comparison

Autochords vs Chords Pad

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

Head to head
About

Autochords

This app serves as a songwriting aid, offering chord progressions and musical inspiration. It allows users to explore different moods and instruments like guitar, piano, and ukulele to find the perfect sound for their songs. Advanced features are available through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • Chord progression generation by mood
  • Guitar, piano, and ukulele chord diagrams
  • Listen to progressions on chosen instruments
  • Play along to full progressions
  • Alternative progression suggestions
  • Customizable progressions (PRO)
Features
Read full description

Autochords is the ultimate songwriting cheat sheet and inspiration machine. Learn how to play chords on guitar, piano, and ukulele. Experiment with various music styles. Just pick a mood and Autochords will show you what to play for your main progression. Play along or just have a listen until you find the perfect chord progression for you. Autochords also suggests “Alternative progressions” that you can use for other sections of the song, like a bridge or backing for a solo. ## Features ## • Dozens of different built-in moods to choose from. • Guitar, Piano, and Ukulele chord diagrams. • Listen to how progressions sound on your chosen instrument. • Play along to full chord progressions. With the PRO in-app-purchase: • Unlock even more progressions. • Build and customize your own progressions. • Export to MIDI. • Keep track of your favorites. • Change the tempo. • Switch between color themes. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Chords Pad

Explore musical chords with an interactive keyboard display and customizable pads. Visualize chord tones, experiment with progressions, and play notes via MIDI. Unlock advanced features and sounds through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Chord tone display on keyboard
  • Customizable chord pads
  • Chord progression builder
  • MIDI Bluetooth support
  • Multiple chord list layouts
  • Adjustable keyboard range
Read full description

This app can easily check the sound and the display on the keyboard of the chord tone of musical chords. We have prepared various UI for checking the chords. Use the method that suits you. - Pad Display - Chord List - Pad Display - Custom Pad - Chord Progress [Chord List] You can select from the following patterns for the chord button list display. It supports chord reordering and toggling chord visibility. - Each key : Displays all types of chord patterns in a list for each key - Vertical : Displays all types of chord patterns vertically and each key horizontally - Horizontal : Displays all types of chord patterns horizontally with each key vertically [Custom pad] Larger buttons than the chord list are arranged. You can freely set the chord and key for each button. [Chord Progress] Add common chord progressions from presets or create your own. You can also edit individual chords, transpose, reorder, and delete chord progressions. In either case, when the chord button is tapped, the selected chord is played and the chord tone is displayed on the keyboard. * If you'd like to display all the chord patterns including tension (b9, # 9, 11, # 11, b13, 13), You need In-App Purchase. [Chord inversion area] When you select a chord in "Chord List" or "Custom Pad," its root position and inversions appear below the chord button area. Example: - CM7 : C E G B (Root position) - CM7/E : E G B C - CM7/G : G B C E - CM7/B : B C E G The note after "/" indicates the bass note. Scroll horizontally through the inversions and tap a button to play it and display its notes on the keyboard. The inversion area for "Custom Pad" can be shown or hidden with "Inversion display" in Settings. Other features: - Supports chord reordering and toggling chord visibility in the "Chord List". ([Settings screen] - [Edit Chord List]) - The keyboard can be slid with the slider. (range: C2 ~ C7) And the keyboard also supports playing. - There are 28 types in all kinds of sound. (It is 9 kinds can be used in the initial state. To use all type, you need In-App Purchase.) - Supports Bluetooth MIDI connection. - Supports sending MIDI messages (note on / off). Chord list: M, 7, 7(b5), 7(#5), 6, 6 9, 9, add9, M7, M9, M7(b5), M7(#5), m, m6, m6 9, m(#5), m add9, m7, mM7, m7(b5), m7(#5), m9, mM9, aug, dim, dim7, sus4, 7sus4, 9sus4, M7sus4, M9sus4, sus2, 7sus2, M7sus2 (To use below, you need In-App Purchase.) 7(b9), 7(#9), 7(#11), 7(b13), 7(13), 7(b9 #11), 7(b9 b13), 7(b9 13), 9(#11), 9(b13), 9(13), 7(#9 #11), 7(#9 b13), 7(#9 13), M7(#11), M9(#11), M7(13), M9(13), m7(11), m7(13), m9(11), m7(b5 11), m7(b5 13) If you would like to create more flexible chord progressions or compose music using chords, try iOS app "Piano Chords Master".

Screenshots

Autochords4 screens
Chords Pad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Autochords at none against Chords Pad's shown. Autochords also leads on ratings volume (4.1K vs 96) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Autochords sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Chords Pad sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Autochords against 4.9 for Chords Pad. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Autochords has 4.1K ratings behind it against 96, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of Autochords's written reviews are positive against 77% of Chords Pad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Autochords ships an update every 2 months, Chords Pad every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Autochords versus Chords Pad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutochordsChords Pad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.1K ratings)4.9 (96 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews — better77.4% of reviews
Number of ratings4.1K — better96
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB10 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperAstrocode Pty LtdLoop-Sessions.LLC.

Customer experience

Autochords

All ratings4,056 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews196 reviews
Positive83.7%
Neutral5.1%
Negative11.2%

Chords Pad

All ratings96 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive77.4%
Neutral9.7%
Negative12.9%

Bugs and requests

Autochords

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App freezes up when opened
  • Chord progressions don't sound as intended for some moods

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add augmented chords and more chord variations
  • Allow creating progressions with more than 4 chords
  • Incorporate different time signatures beyond 4/4
  • Add chord inversions and more chord types (7ths, 9ths, etc.)
  • Expand chord library beyond just diatonic chords
Show 1 more
  • Incorporate arpeggio playback and background drums

Chords Pad

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Autochords

Subscriptions3
  • PRO Weekly$0.997 Days
  • PRO Monthly$2.991 Month
  • PRO Annual7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • PRO Lifetime$29.99
4 purchases

Chords Pad

One-time4
  • All sounds are available$0.99
  • Available sending MIDI message$0.99
  • All chords are available$2.49
Show 1 more
  • Always remove ads.$7.99

Questions

Is Autochords free?
Autochords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chords Pad free?
Chords Pad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Autochords or Chords Pad?
Chords Pad is rated higher. Autochords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.1K ratings, while Chords Pad averages 4.9 from 96 ratings.
Do Autochords or Chords Pad have ads?
Chords Pad shows ads; Autochords does not.
Which is updated more often, Autochords or Chords Pad?
Autochords ships an update every 2 months, and Chords Pad every 6 weeks. Most recently, Autochords was updated on October 23, 2026 and Chords Pad on October 25, 2026.

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