OtoTheory is a chord progression builder and music theory companion for guitar, bass, and keyboard players, songwriters, composers, self-learners, and DAW users. Its iOS app can identify chords, key, and song sections from imported audio or from a guitar or piano recording made on-device. Users can paste progressions from ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for Roman numeral analysis and groove playback. The app lists 19 groove patterns and more than 50 progression presets; its AI also suggests chords using musical feel, theory, and emotion. Pro can export MIDI in Groove, Groove + Theory, or Chords Only modes, with BPM, section markers, and chord names. The maker says exports can be used with Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton, and other DAWs. The web version has fewer features, and Pro is available only on iOS. Free iOS users can save three sketches locally but cannot export MIDI or audio. Pro is listed from $5.99/mo with a 7-day trial; the annual plan is $49.99/year, and Lifetime costs 99.99 USD per once.
Who it is for
OtoTheory suits guitar, bass, and keyboard players, as well as songwriters, composers, self-learners, and DAW users. The iOS app is the fit for users who need Pro features or MIDI export.
What is good
- Identifies chords, key, and song sections from audio.
- Offers 19 groove patterns and over 50 presets.
- Pro exports MIDI with BPM and section markers.
- Supports guitar, bass, and keyboard players.
What to know first
- Web version has a subset of iOS features.
- Pro is iOS-only.
- Free plan allows three local sketch saves.
- Free plan does not include MIDI or audio export.
Verdict
OtoTheory combines chord analysis, progression ideas, grooves, and MIDI export for music creators. The free plan is limited to three local saves, while Pro features are restricted to iOS.
OtoTheory plans and pricing
All plansCompared on chord finder software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $5.99/mo
- Reverse chord lookup
- Yes
- Progression generator
- Yes
- Voicing explorer
- Yes
- Supported instruments
- guitar, bass, keyboard
- Chord chart export
- Yes
- Mobile apps
- ios
- Chord audio playback
- Yes
