Chord ai vs OtoTheory
Chord ai
chordai.net
OtoTheory
ototheory.comSide by side
| Figure | Chord ai | OtoTheory |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5.75/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 3 |
| Spec score · Chord Finder Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Integrations | Chord ai can load songs from YouTube and SoundCloud, and the Android privacy policy describes optional playlist and saved-song backup and sync through Google Drive. | The iOS app offers optional iCloud sync for Pro, and exported MIDI can be transferred to a Mac with AirDrop. |
| Support | The maker invites users to contact the developers for bug reports, feature requests, or questions about its technology and products. | The support page lists [email protected] and says it typically responds within two business days, excluding weekends and holidays. |
Plans
In their own words
Chord ai
Chord ai is a mobile app that recognizes chords and beats in songs, helping listeners follow music or learn to play it. Songs can be loaded from YouTube, SoundCloud, audio files, or a device microphone. The app detects chords, tracks beats and downbeats, displays tempo and song structure, and infers a song's key; it also shows guitar, piano, and ukulele chord diagrams. Microphone input can identify chords in real time. The maker describes on-device deep learning, with audio files and microphone input analyzed on the phone. The free plan provides basic features with unlimited free use. Chord ai Pro adds recognition of more than 700 chords, voicing and position suggestions, unlimited saved songs, PDF transcription export, score editing, and WAV export of bass, drums, vocals, and other stems. Other Pro tools include pitch shifting, alternate tunings, smart capo suggestions, and processing audio or video up to one hour at once. Pro costs $9 a month or $69 a year, with prices depending on App Store country. The app is available on Android and iOS, and the maker does not provide API access to its technology.
OtoTheory
OtoTheory is a chord progression builder and music theory companion for guitar, bass, and keyboard players, songwriters, and DAW users. Its iOS app can identify chords, key, and song sections from imported audio or an on-device guitar or piano recording. Users can paste progressions from ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for Roman numeral analysis and playback with grooves. The app lists 19 groove patterns and more than 50 progression presets; OtoTheory AI suggests chords using musical feel, theory, and emotion. Pro exports MIDI in Groove, Groove + Theory, or Chords Only modes, including BPM, section markers, and chord names. The maker says those exports can be used with Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton, and other DAWs. OtoTheory is available on iOS and the web, but the web version has fewer features and Pro is iOS-only. The free iOS plan allows three local sketch saves and excludes MIDI and audio export. Pro is listed from $5.99/mo; its annual plan is $49.99/year, and Lifetime costs $99.99 once.