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Hookpad
What it is
Hookpad is web-based songwriting software for developing musical ideas, chord progressions, melodies, and complete songs. Its chord tools use music-theory guidance and data from 75,000 songs to inform suggestions. The free plan provides chords and melody tools, Smart Guides, transposition, tempo and looping controls, piano playback, and unlimited cloud saving. Advanced chord palettes and search are available only as one-minute previews on that plan. Standard costs $7.99 a month and adds more than 500 instruments, 11 band templates, up to four melody voices, lyrics, mixing, recording, MIDI input, and MIDI and MP3 export. Users can also export sheet music, guitar tablature, and lead sheets, then import MIDI into GarageBand, Logic, or Pro Tools. WAV and MP3 audio can be imported, while MIDI input needs Web MIDI support. Optional Aria AI costs $14.99 a month and suggests chords, melodies, or both. Hookpad works in a browser with tablet touch mode, but is not suitable for smartphone editing.
For and against
For
- Free plan includes Smart Guides and cloud saving
- Chord suggestions draw on 75,000 songs
- Standard includes 11 band templates
- Exports MIDI, MP3, and sheet music
- Optional Aria suggests chords or melodies
Against
- Not suitable for editing on smartphones
- Advanced free features have one-minute previews
- Standard costs $7.99 a month
- Aria add-on costs $14.99 a month
The verdict
Hookpad combines songwriting tools with music-theory guidance, browser access, and multiple export formats. The free plan covers core composition, while Standard and Aria add paid capabilities.
Who it suits
Hookpad suits songwriters who want theory-informed composition tools in a browser. It also fits users who need MIDI, audio, notation, or DAW export options.
Plans and prices
Free
Chords and melody · Smart Guides · unlimited cloud save · advanced features have 1-minute previews
Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Standard
Full features · plus tax where applicable
Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Standard
Full features · plus tax where applicable
Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
Aria AI add-on
Optional add-on · plus tax where applicable
Read 2 Oct 2026 · hooktheory.com
On the record
- Aria
- Aria is an optional AI songwriting add-on that can suggest chords, melodies, or both for a project.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Aria data
- Aria’s data agreement says chord and melody information is converted to numerical fingerprints, logged, and used by Hooktheory researchers to improve Aria.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Audio and MIDI input
- The guide says users can import WAV or MP3 audio and use a MIDI controller, with MIDI input requiring a browser that supports the Web MIDI API.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Browser platform
- Hookpad is a web app that works in a browser; its FAQ says it is not suitable for editing on a smartphone and describes tablet touch mode.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- Hooktheory says users own music made in Hookpad and may release it commercially, but may not resell or redistribute its sounds as standalone sounds.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Company origins
- Hooktheory says its founders developed a music course at UC Berkeley in 2011 and built the platform from its concepts.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Composition features
- Hookpad includes Smart Guides, transposition, tempo and looping, piano playback, and cloud saving in its free plan.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- DAW compatibility
- Hookpad exports MIDI for import into digital audio workstations such as GarageBand, Logic, and Pro Tools.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Free-plan limits
- The pricing comparison marks advanced chord palettes and search features as one-minute previews in the Free plan and lists MIDI, sheet music, lead sheet, and MP3 export for Standard.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Music exports
- The user guide describes exporting MIDI, MP3, sheet music, guitar tablature, and lead sheets.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Paid features
- Standard includes more than 500 instruments, 11 band templates, up to four melody voices, lyrics, mixing, recording, MIDI input, and MIDI and MP3 export.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The privacy policy, last updated May 25, 2018, says the site uses industry-standard security technologies and may share information with service providers for limited purposes.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Hooktheory says Dave Carlton personally handles its software and book support emails.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Theory-informed suggestions
- Hookpad says its chord tools draw on music theory and data from 75,000 songs.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Hookpad is songwriting software with integrated music theory tools for composing musical ideas, chord progressions, melodies, and songs.hooktheory.com · read 2 Oct 2026
