Auralia vs Functional Ear Trainer

Auralia is ear-training software covering pitch, rhythm, intervals, chords, scales and tuning. It has 59 topics in seven groups, with real audio and notation linked to curriculum. Exercises include rhythm and melodic dictation, interval and chord recognition, sight singing, tuning and musical-element identification. Teachers can track student progress, assign tests and worksheets, review reports, and create custom syllabuses and questions. Tests can draw questions from any syllabus or topic, with optional random selection, time limits, due dates and weighted scoring. Auralia integrates with Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, D2L, Schoology and MusicFirst Classroom, sending scores to the LMS gradebook. Auralia Cloud works in a browser, and the maker lists access on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, iPad and Chromebook. A six-month Cloud licence costs $25 as a one-time purchase and a 12-month Cloud licence costs $39 a year; both require a school code and PIN. Other listed licences are $99, paid once for Auralia Student and $169, paid once for Auralia. The free trial registration is for teachers and educational institutions; no duration is stated.

Functional Ear Trainer is an ear-training app built around hearing tones in the context of a musical key. Its method asks users to recognize each tone’s function within that key, with exercises and audio tools intended to improve musical ear and understanding of music theory. The app listing describes it as suitable for beginners through professional musicians and says playing an instrument is not required. The maker recommends 10 minutes of daily practice. Features listed in the App Store version history include Melodic Dictations, Sound Plugins and Listener Mode. The app is available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, and is free to download, though some features may need a recurring subscription or one-time payment. Functional Ear Trainer is listed at free; Functional Ear Trainer Plus is listed at $19.99, paid once, with no detail on what it unlocks. Subscriptions and trials must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period or trial ends to avoid a charge. The service is intended for users aged 16 or older; minors require parental permission and supervision. Support is listed at [email protected].