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Chordio
What it is
Chordio is an interactive composition and music theory app for iOS and macOS, with workspaces for composition, scales, modes, sheet music, theory, and lessons. Its scale library includes more than 40 scales. With a USB, MIDI, or Bluetooth MIDI keyboard, it recognizes played chords and names them on the grand staff in real time. Harmony Explorer identifies matching scales and suggests diatonic chords, borrowed chords, secondary dominants, and tritone substitutions. Progressions can be dragged into Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, and other DAWs as MIDI; MIDI chords can also be imported for re-harmonization. Sheet Music supports tempo adjustment, looping, separate-hand practice, transposition, and PDF printing, while Lesson Packs allow play-along in any key and at any tempo. The free download includes every workspace, built-in sounds, an on-screen keyboard, and real-time MIDI chord detection. Full Unlock costs $14.99 once and includes Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro with lifetime updates; the iPhone version is purchased separately. The developer states that the app collects no data.
For and against
For
- More than 40 scales and six workspaces
- Recognizes chords from USB, MIDI, and Bluetooth MIDI keyboards
- Exports progressions to DAWs as MIDI
- Sheet Music includes looping and PDF printing
- Free download includes every workspace
Against
- No Android app is currently available
- The iPhone version is purchased separately
- Full Unlock is a $14.99 one-time purchase
The verdict
Chordio combines theory and composition tools with keyboard chord recognition, DAW MIDI exchange, and sheet music practice features. Its free download covers every workspace, while Full Unlock adds the listed Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro access for a one-time $14.99.
Who it suits
Chordio suits producers, composers, teachers, and learners working with music theory, composition, or keyboard practice. It may be especially useful for people who use MIDI keyboards or move progressions between the app and a DAW.
Plans and prices
Free
built-in sounds · on-screen keyboard · every workspace · real-time MIDI chord detection
Read 14 Oct 2026 · chordio.co.uk
Full Unlock
all workspaces and features · Mac, iPad and Vision Pro · lifetime updates · no subscription
Read 14 Oct 2026 · chordio.co.uk
Free download
Free on the App Store · built-in sounds · on-screen keyboard · every workspace
Read 1 Oct 2026 · chordio.co.uk
Content Packs
Chord Packs · Sheet Music Packs · Lesson Packs · optional
Read 14 Oct 2026 · chordio.co.uk
On the record
- Android availability
- The FAQ says there is no Android app and that Chordio is currently on Apple platforms.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Android support
- Chordio does not currently have an Android app.chordio.co.uk · read 1 Oct 2026
- API and SDK
- The official pages describe MIDI and DAW interoperability but provide no public API or SDK documentation.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Chord recognition
- USB, MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI keyboards can be recognised in real time with chord names shown on the grand staff.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Classroom use
- The Mac version supports independently resizable staff and keyboard views, split-screen presentation and light or dark modes.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Composition tools
- Composition supports custom chords, voicings, inversions, chord transformation, playlists, backing rhythms and MIDI/PDF export.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Content packs
- Chord Packs contain sequences and backing rhythms, Sheet Music Packs contain interactive scores, and Lesson Packs contain play-along tracks.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- DAW integration
- Progressions can be dragged into Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio and other DAWs as MIDI, and MIDI can be imported back for re-harmonisation.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Device licensing
- Buying on iPad or macOS unlocks the other platform and Vision Pro, while the iPhone version is separate.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Harmony Explorer
- Harmony Explorer detects matching scales and suggests diatonic, borrowed, secondary-dominant and tritone-substitution chords.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent app description
- The App Store describes Chordio as a composition and theory tool for producers, composers and educators with internal sounds and MIDI support.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Lesson content
- Lesson Packs provide play-along tracks whose speed and pitch can be adjusted.chordio.co.uk · read 14 Oct 2026
- Lessons
- Lesson Packs let users play along with pieces in any key and at any tempo.chordio.co.uk · read 1 Oct 2026
- Limit: chord and key accuracy
- A reviewer reported incorrect enharmonic chord naming and said changing key did not transpose some progression chords.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: crashes
- UK reviewers reported frequent iPad crashes that lost input, while a Chordio+ reviewer reported crashes during chord entry.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: MIDI fidelity
- A reviewer reported MIDI input not matching the original composition and said chord recognition needed improvement.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: pop-ups and value
- Chordio+ reviewers complained about intrusive pop-ups and said cheaper alternatives were available.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: purchase restoration
- A reviewer reported being unable to restore premium, chord-pack and sheet-music purchases.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
