ChordSequence vs HarmonyBuilder

ChordSequence is a free set of browser-based music tools for composing and exploring chord progressions. Its player performs chords selected by the user with drums, bass, piano, guitar, and synth, drawing on 548 rhythms that include pop, rock, salsa, and reggae. You can reorder chords, arrange them into sections, loop those sections, and edit individual instrument parts. The mixer offers volume, pan, mute, solo, EQ, and compression controls for each instrument, plus reverb for the overall mix. Songs can be exported as WAV audio or MIDI notes for use in a DAW. Other tools include a chord finder, transposer, key detector, Circle of Fifths, tuner, metronome, guitar and bass tabs, and a drum machine. The browser player is stated to work in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. An Android app works offline, needs no account, and supports Android 8.0 or later; iPhone users can use the browser player. The Free plan is free, with all features, no usage limit, and WAV and MIDI export.

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.