Autochords vs HarmonyBuilder

Autochords is an iPhone and iPad app that helps songwriters find chord progressions and learn chords on guitar, piano and ukulele. Choose a progression style and key to see a main progression and alternatives for other song sections. Progressions can be previewed at a selected tempo with piano, guitar or ukulele playback, and the app provides diagrams for each instrument. Its built-in library contains dozens of progressions across styles of western music, though some require PRO. The free plan provides the app's free features. PRO adds more progressions, favorites, tempo changes, color themes, custom progressions and MIDI export. Export uses the iOS share sheet to open files in compatible apps, including desktop DAWs such as Logic or GarageBand. PRO costs $2.99 a month, $12.99 a year or 29.99 USD once for lifetime access. If a PRO subscription expires, existing favorites and custom progressions remain accessible, but users cannot add or remove favorites or create or delete custom progressions. Astrocode Pty Ltd develops the app, which is operated by a solo developer.

HarmonyBuilder is music notation and composition software for writing and hearing four-part harmony. Its editions range from score creation and MIDI export to harmony instruction, composition tools, and teacher-student collaboration. Basic supports moving notes and experimenting with harmony and rhythm. Educational checks voice-leading errors, color-codes chord notes, and identifies and names chords. Professional adds a Chord Selector wheel, a Voicing Generator, and tools for harmonizing melodies or bass lines. Institutional provides a dedicated database for sharing assignments, homework, and compositions; its score accounts are password-protected. Compositions can be saved to a computer or public web archive, or in MIDI format, and a private link can open a score in a browser. HarmonyBuilder runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and requires Java 6 or higher. The trial lasts up to 28 days and includes Basic, Educational, and Professional functionality. Basic costs $14 a month; Educational costs $49 a month.