Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Hookpad

hooktheory.com

From $7.99/mo Free plan Web
Visit hooktheory.com
Spec score 8.4 #1 of 26 in AI Melody Generators

What it is

Hookpad is browser-based songwriting software for composing chord progressions, melodies and songs with integrated music theory tools. Its chord suggestions draw on music theory and data from 75,000 songs. The free plan includes Smart Guides, transposition, tempo and looping, piano playback and cloud saving; advanced chord palettes and search are limited to one-minute previews. Standard adds more than 500 instruments, 11 band templates, up to four melody voices, lyrics, mixing, recording and MIDI input, along with MIDI and MP3 export. Users can also export sheet music, guitar tablature and lead sheets. MIDI exports can be imported into digital audio workstations such as GarageBand, Logic and Pro Tools. Audio import supports WAV and MP3; MIDI input requires a browser with Web MIDI API support. Optional Aria can suggest chords, melodies or both. Hookpad works in a browser and offers tablet touch mode, but is not suitable for smartphone editing. Standard costs $7.99 a month, billed monthly; the optional Aria add-on costs $14.99 a month, billed monthly.

Spec sheet

What it does
Hookpad is songwriting software with integrated music theory tools for composing musical ideas, chord progressions, melodies, and songs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Support
Hooktheory says Dave Carlton personally handles its software and book support emails.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Founded
2012Read 23 Sep 2026 · hooktheory.com
Aria
Aria is an optional AI songwriting add-on that can suggest chords, melodies, or both for a project.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Aria data
Aria’s data agreement says chord and melody information is converted to numerical fingerprints, logged, and used by Hooktheory researchers to improve Aria.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Audio and MIDI input
The guide says users can import WAV or MP3 audio and use a MIDI controller, with MIDI input requiring a browser that supports the Web MIDI API.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Browser platform
Hookpad is a web app that works in a browser; its FAQ says it is not suitable for editing on a smartphone and describes tablet touch mode.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Commercial use
Hooktheory says users own music made in Hookpad and may release it commercially, but may not resell or redistribute its sounds as standalone sounds.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Company origins
Hooktheory says its founders developed a music course at UC Berkeley in 2011 and built the platform from its concepts.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Composition features
Hookpad includes Smart Guides, transposition, tempo and looping, piano playback, and cloud saving in its free plan.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
DAW compatibility
Hookpad exports MIDI for import into digital audio workstations such as GarageBand, Logic, and Pro Tools.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Free-plan limits
The pricing comparison marks advanced chord palettes and search features as one-minute previews in the Free plan and lists MIDI, sheet music, lead sheet, and MP3 export for Standard.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Music exports
The user guide describes exporting MIDI, MP3, sheet music, guitar tablature, and lead sheets.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Paid features
Standard includes more than 500 instruments, 11 band templates, up to four melody voices, lyrics, mixing, recording, MIDI input, and MIDI and MP3 export.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Privacy and security
The privacy policy, last updated May 25, 2018, says the site uses industry-standard security technologies and may share information with service providers for limited purposes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Theory-informed suggestions
Hookpad says its chord tools draw on music theory and data from 75,000 songs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Chords and melody · Smart Guides · unlimited cloud save · advanced features have 1-minute previews Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Standard $7.99 a month Monthly; cancel anytime Full features · plus tax where applicable Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Aria AI add-on $14.99 a month Monthly Optional add-on · plus tax where applicable Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Standard $199, paid once Lifetime Full features · plus tax where applicable Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com

Every Hookpad plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan includes cloud saving and piano playback.
  • Chord suggestions draw on theory and 75,000 songs.
  • Standard includes over 500 instruments and MIDI export.
  • Exports sheet music, guitar tablature and lead sheets.

Limits

  • Advanced chord palettes and search are one-minute previews on Free.
  • Not suitable for editing on a smartphone.
  • Standard costs $7.99 a month.
  • Optional Aria costs $14.99 a month.

Who it suits

Hookpad suits songwriters who want theory-guided chord and melody composition in a browser, with export options for further work. Smartphone editing is not suitable, and MIDI input requires Web MIDI API browser support.

Verdict

Hookpad offers a free starting tier and paid composition, recording and export features, plus optional AI suggestions. Check the preview limits and browser requirements against the features you need.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to HookpadAll alternatives →