Better Ears vs ToneScholar
Better Ears
better-ears.mamp.infoToneScholar
tonescholar.comSide by side
| Figure | Better Ears | ToneScholar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 2 |
| Spec score · Music Learning Apps | 9.3 (#2) | 7.1 (#37) |
| Exercises | The app includes 15 exercises covering ear training and music reading, including rhythm recognition and rhythm reading. | The site says users can train with dozens of custom exercise modules and progression-based learning. |
| Support | The site links to MAMP support and issue reporting; its legal notice lists [email protected] as a contact email. | The privacy policy lists [email protected] for privacy questions and data rights requests. |
Plans
Better Ears
- Better Ears Beginner (Mac)Free
- Better Ears Beginner — MacFree
- Better Ears — macOS trialFree
- Better Ears macOS trialFree
- Better Ears — Android2.60 CHF, paid once
- Better Ears (Android)€2.99, paid once
- Better Ears — iPhone and iPad$4.99, paid once
- Better Ears (iPhone/iPad)$4.99, paid once
In their own words
Better Ears
Better Ears is an ear-training and sight-reading app for musicians, students, and teachers, with exercises spanning listening and music reading. Its 15 exercises include rhythm recognition and rhythm reading; rhythm practice can use a count-in, metronome, triplets, and time signatures including 3/4, 4/4, and 5/4. Answers may be sung, played on a real instrument, entered with a virtual keyboard or guitar fretboard, or sent through a MIDI device. Four preset levels are available, and an editor lets users build levels, chords, scales, and chord progressions. The app includes six instruments, supports custom SoundFonts, and the site says Mac can use more than 100 sounds through DLS SoftSynth. It records correct and incorrect answers for each exercise and question. Levels, sounds, and statistics are described as syncing across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android, with Dropbox syncing for levels, statistics, and settings. Better Ears runs on Android, iOS, and macOS. Android costs CHF 2.60, paid once; the iPhone and iPad app costs $4.99, paid once. A free Mac Beginner edition and a free macOS trial are listed.
ToneScholar
ToneScholar is a functional ear training app for developing musical skills through the harmonic functions of notes and chords. Its training approach emphasizes musical intuition, using dozens of custom exercise modules and progression-based learning. Listed areas include sight singing, composition, improvisation, music theory, transcription, and intonation. The FAQ says prior music theory knowledge and sheet-music reading are not required. ToneScholar runs on the web and iOS. During beta, everything is free: the Beta plan is free. ToneScholar Pro is marked as coming soon, with no price listed. The privacy policy says the service collects personal identification information and usage data, storing it with Google Cloud Platform and Amplitude. Data is deleted within 18 months after account deactivation or within 30 days of a deletion request, whichever comes sooner. Children under 13 may not use the service.