Comparison

Open String Guitar Chords vs Arpeggio Forge

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

Head to head
About

Open String Guitar Chords

Explore a vast collection of open string guitar chords with multiple voicings and transposition options. This app provides instant playback, optimal fingerings, and scale degree information for musicians of all levels.

Highlights
  • 596 open string chords
  • Chord transposition with capo
  • Optimal fingerings provided
  • Instant chord playback
  • 3 guitar sound banks
  • Scale degree display
Features
Read full description

This application contains a unique collection of beautiful air open string chords which differs drastically from our other previously released chord applications. Thanks to the open strings you can get a very wide fingerings, and when you transpose chord you can use a capo. In the 1960's one of the first guitarists who used open-string chords was Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. After, such guitarists as Lenny Breau and Tommy Emmanuel were using these chords in their music. Later, chords with open strings were used by such famous great guitarists as John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola, Nuno Bettencourt and others. These chords are found in all styles of music, from classical to progressive metal. Open String Guitar Chords app is not only just a collection of chords (when "Slow" or "Fast" behavior selected), but it also shows their possible voicings (when "Auto" behavior selected). Both beginners and professionals can benefit from this app and take enough material for their music. ●●●●● Features: --------------- ● 596 different open string chords, which can be easily transposed (using a capo) to any desired key, resulting in about 5,000 of total open string chords! ● transpose chords to any desired key by dragging notes on the screen with your finger. A capo will appear on the fretboard when you transpose open string chords ● only the best sounding chords were selected for you and presented in this collection ● every chord provided with corresponding optimal fingerings for your comfort ● degree feature to see scale degree of selected note ● instant playback of selected chord with acoustic guitar sounds ● 3 guitar sound banks to select from: Acoustic, Piezo and Chorused ● note names are displayed inside the playback cursor ● sharp and flat signatures correspond to the current chord's key ● 3 modes (behaviors) of chord's playback: Slow, Fast and Auto ● manual step by step note playback in both directions ● manual note selection by tapping notes on the screen ● designed for both iPhone and iPad For support and more info about this and other products please visit our website: http://www.fonexsis.com

About

Arpeggio Forge

Features
Read full description

ArpeggioForge is a dedicated arpeggio and chord tone practice app for guitarists. 【Key Features】 • "Shell Voicing + Click" Playback Mode Play 1st, 3rd, and 7th shell voicing chord tones with a clear click sound upon selecting a chord! Hear and feel every tap clearly even in silent mode. • Auto-Rotating Chord Progression Presets Includes essential progression patterns such as Jazz II-V-I, Turnarounds, and Secondary Dominants. Progression, key, and tempo auto-rotate every time you relaunch the app! • Rich Tension Chords Supports 15 advanced tension chord types including maj7, m7, maj9, 7(b9), 7(#11), 7(b13), m11, 7alt and more. • Custom Progression Editor Build and customize your own chord progressions effortlessly. • Real-time TAB Guitar Score Visualize playing notes in real time with full CAGED position support. • Arpeggio Pattern Selection Select distinct patterns (3-5-7-9, 1-3-5, etc.) for the first and second half of each measure. • Approach Notes (Passing Tones) Automatically generate jazz-style chromatic and stepwise approach phrases resolving to target notes. • Versatile Rhythm Options Supports 8th notes, triplets, quarter notes, 3/4 time, and 6/8 time. • Simple Real-Time Tuner Instantly measure pitch and cent deviations using your microphone. • Streak Practice Tracker Keep track of consecutive practice days, personal bests, and total days. • Chord Voicings (CHORDS ON Mode) Automatically layout chord tones on the fretboard with shell voicings or 4-note voicings. • BPM Slider Adjust tempo freely from 40 to 240 BPM. 【Premium Features (One-time Purchase)】 Unlock unlimited chord progression save/load presets, complete ad removal, and unlimited playback count. Perfect for guitarists of all genres including Jazz, Fusion, Pop, and Rock. Daily practice habits made simple.

Screenshots

Open String Guitar Chords4 screens
Arpeggio Forge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Arpeggio Forge at Free against Open String Guitar Chords's $12.99. Arpeggio Forge also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 7 months). Open String Guitar Chords's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Arpeggio Forge is free to download; Open String Guitar Chords costs $12.99 up front. Arpeggio Forge sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Open String Guitar Chords asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Open String Guitar Chords ships an update every 7 months, Arpeggio Forge every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Open String Guitar Chords versus Arpeggio Forge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpen String Guitar ChordsArpeggio Forge
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFonexsisHiroto Kashima

In-app purchases

None

Open String Guitar Chords

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Arpeggio Forge

One-time1
  • Premium Upgrade$3.99

Questions

Is Open String Guitar Chords free?
Open String Guitar Chords costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arpeggio Forge free?
Arpeggio Forge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Open String Guitar Chords or Arpeggio Forge have ads?
Arpeggio Forge shows ads; Open String Guitar Chords does not.
Which is updated more often, Open String Guitar Chords or Arpeggio Forge?
Open String Guitar Chords ships an update every 7 months, and Arpeggio Forge every 2 days. Most recently, Open String Guitar Chords was updated on October 9, 2026 and Arpeggio Forge on October 13, 2026.

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