Functional Ear Trainer vs SightSing

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].

SightSing provides sight-singing practice with real-time microphone feedback and an 18-level curriculum. As you sing, each note is marked hit, miss, or off by a half step. Separate sight-singing, rhythm, and interval trainers track progress independently, with adaptive difficulty available. Each level introduces one concept and uses rolling-window mastery, so a missed day does not reset progress. The Free plan costs nothing, covers Levels 1–3, and requires no credit card. Monthly costs $4.99 a month; Annual costs $49 a year. Both paid plans include all 18 sight-singing levels, the rhythm and interval trainers, real-time feedback, practice streak and history, and cancellation anytime. Visitors can try a sample melody without signing up. Microphone audio is processed on the device and not recorded or transmitted; only the score is saved. Pitch accuracy depends on the device, microphone, ambient noise, and singing volume. SightSing is for ages 13 and up and is not a classroom product.