Updated by Danielle
Updated on December 2nd, 2022
Updated several links and made minor changes to copy and article formatting. None of Chordify's ratings were changed.
Chordify Review (Desktop & Iphone App)
Verdict and Review Summary
Though Chordify is limited in terms of its educational breadth, it does a fantastic job of completing its stated mission: Quickly teaching you chord progressions for essentially any song you can access on YouTube. Premium features also add good value for the price.
Parent article: Best Guitar Learning Apps
The Chordify app is a song-learning tool that helps you learn chords by streaming music off YouTube then showing you chord sheets (no tabs) that move in real time as the song plays. This is our full Chordify review covering the app's free side and premium features. To conduct this review we used a full, paid membership and tested the app just like you would if you sat down and bought a membership yourself.
Structure of Our Chordify Review
Since Chordify is available both as a mobile and desktop web app, I used the following items to review:
- iMac (latest version of iOS)
- iPhone (latest version of iOS)
- Desktop PC (running Windows 10)
- Taylor 114ce Acoustic Guitar (to play along)
The process for review included downloading the app onto my phone, browsing through the web-based version of the app, and taking screenshots. I also tested out the premium features of the app with guitar in hand before coming to my final conclusion about Chordify's value.
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Compare Chordify to Other Guitar Lesson Programs
Since we have a ratings system for the guitar lesson resources we review, you can use that to compare the Chordify app to some of the other programs we've rated.
PROGRAM | DETAILS | RATING | TRY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Guitar Tricks
| 92.8 | |
 | JamPlay
| 88.7 | |
| Chordify
| 80.2 | |
 | Yousician
| 72.3 | |
 | Fender Play
| 67.8 |
The following table contains all the details of our Chordify rating, which takes into account our experience with both the free and paid portions of the program. Notice that each category is weighted with a specific point value.
Details of Chordify's Rating
Features | Point Value (weight) | Chordify Score | Point Total |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Content Quantity | 15% | 86 | 12.9 |
2. EDU Quality | 20% | 70 | 14 |
2. Topical Order | 20% | 75 | 15 |
3. Concept Coverage | 15% | 80 | 12 |
4. Song Section | 15% | 95 | 14.25 |
7. Video Player | n/a | n/a | 0 |
8. Site Design/Navigation | 5% | 82 | 4.1 |
9. Pricing/Value | 5% | 80 | 4 |
TOTALS | Possible 95 points | 76.2 | |
Basic Structure of Chordify
The premise of Chordify is simple.
Instead of giving you tabs, Chordify breaks songs down to just chords and chord sheets. These chord sheets move with the song which plays through a YouTube embed, and makes it really easy to follow.
Here's a quick look at the interface on the web app:
Basic chord interface in Chordify's web application. Image via Chordify
In the web version of the app, both the chords and the running chord letter lines are visible. In mobile You can switch between the two views, either viewing both at once or just the letters in the chord line. Personally, I thought seeing just the letters was a bit easier.
Chords move along with the song. Image via Chordify
On the web version, you have an "Overview" and "Diagrams" tab, where "Diagrams" is the default state for each song you pull up. If you click on the Overview tab, you'll see just the running chord list and no diagrams.
Here's a screenshot of that view:
In my opinion, the Overview look in the web app is a little easier to follow.
As the song plays, that black square moves to the right and falls on each chord change perfectly.
Just follow the little black square.
The beauty of Chordify is that you can take any song, regardless of complexity, and boil it down to just chord progressions. From there you can add complexity as you get comfortable with the underlying chords. This is particularly useful for bass players and rhythm-focused guitarists.
The iPhone App
In the mobile version, the square moves from left to right where measures are separated by vertical lines, just like we saw in the web version. The interface is essentially the same thing that we've already seen on the web version, but with a narrower and vertical setup that fits better on the phone's screen.
The square moves from left to right, showing you measures and chord changes in real time.
The video and additional controls - most of which are blocked out without a premium account - are easy to spot in the elements beneath the chord sheet. You can even learn the Friends show theme song, per the screengrab below.
Songs and chords are always running and synced up with their corresponding YouTube video.
Overall this is really helpful and convenient experience. For those that are more comfortable with playing the chords and don't want the complexity of tablature, the Chordify interface is intuitive and extremely easy to use. I also really like the integration and familiarity of YouTube, which gives you a ton of different music to choose from.
Again, this is especially helpful for bass players or rhythm guitar players that want to learn a song without all the headache of tabs and nuanced musical properties.
Keep in mind, I'm commenting entirely on the free content, up to this point.
But what does the Premium side of Chordify offer?
List of Chordify's Premium Features
All of the premium features are wrapped up in the application's functionality. If you look at the menu right above the chord sheet, you can see all the options that are grayed out.
Much of the app's functionality is disabled without a premium account.
The only three options that aren't disabled in the free version are the following:
- Play
- Rewind (start over)
- Simplify Chords toggle button
Everything that's left would be categorized as a premium feature. Here's a quick list of what these are and what they do:
- Transpose: Change the key of the song
- Capo: Adjust the song to match a capo at a particular fret
- Chord volume: Change the volume of the chords
- Song volume: Change the volume of the song relative to the chords
- Tempo: Adjust the speed of the song without altering the pitch
- Loop: Loop through certain parts of the song
- MIDI: Connect a midi-compatible device
- Print: Access printable version of the chord sheet
When is Chordify Premium worth it?
Despite the improved functionality of the Premium version, it's probably not something that I would say has equal value to everyone. The free version is so strong that the improvements made on the premium side don't really draw me in as much.
If you're looking at Chordify as more of a learning tool then the paid version is worth it.
On the other hand, if you're an experienced player looking to Chordify as a song-learning resource and you don't anticipate having trouble with the chords or timing of songs, you probably won't get as much out of the paid option.
How much does it cost?
Chordify Premium is really affordable, regardless of your situation. If you buy a year, it comes out to about $3.49 per month, which is a reasonable ask for this type of tool. A month-to-month "lease style" membership is $6.99.
The yearly price for a Chordify Premium membership comes out to $3.49 per month.
Conclusion
To conclude my Chordify review, the cost makes even peripheral use of this program quite valuable. While it won't replace a full-scale guitar lesson program, it can definitely serve as a valuable supplemental resource, particularly if you're in a situation where you play a lot of rhythm guitar.
Worship leaders, songwriters, bass players, cover bands, or anyone that often needs/wants chords for other people’s music should consider using Chordify.
If you're looking for song help in an educational context, the premium features are worth paying for.
Your Questions and Comments
Do you have questions about the program or about how we conducted our Chordify review?
If so, leave them in the comments section and I'll answer there.
Related Articles
Written by Bobby on Lessons and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Apps and Roundups
I’ve used Chordify Premium for over two years to learn songs on our piano. I have absolutely no music background or education, or ability for that matter.
The Chordify app on my iPhone 13 pro max showed the chord layout on the keyboard as the song was playing. So with my complete lack of musical ability I was able to play along with songs from Sarah McLachlan, Adele, Celine Dion, Brad Paisley and many others.
But that all changed April 05, 2023 when Chordify inverted all of the chords in my song library. So now I am back to the very beginning learning how to play all my songs I had mastered. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a viable replacement for Chordify unless you are proficient in music.
In summary, Chordify is like a paint by number approach to playing the piano which suits me just fine except for their dumb software updates.
Mike – what do you mean, they inverted the chords? Platform looks pretty much the same to me. Am I missing something?
Hey Bobby,
The chords were inverted from the previous way they were displayed. An example is Cm, which was previously displayed on the keyboard as G, C, D# (I think, again no music background) to being currently displayed as C, D#, G. and it’s like this for all these types of chords with the majors and flats. The keys to be played for various chords have been re-arranged.
Yeonjoo from Chordify finally admitted that the app has been updated “so that the inverted chords have gone back to the original format and we don’t plan to offer the previous format”.
So, I guess what that means to me is that they originally had an inverted display of chords, which is what I had been practicing and playing for over two years, but now they are in the original format. And now it’s like starting all over again learning how to play the chords to my favorite songs, which I could do a dang good job on about 25 to 30 songs before this update.
And there doesn’t appear to be any similar apps that come close to Chordify.
Hope this helps you understand what I was trying to say in the original post.
Have a great day.
Mike
I am having the same issue. I really enjoyed this app and was able to play a lot of songs with ease. Now that Chordify has changed the way piano chords look, I am having a hard time playing anything off the app. It’s been very frustrating. I wish there was an option to revert it back to the old style.
Here is Yeongjoo’s (from Chordify) first reply to my request for help with this issue:
“Hey Michael,
Because of the smaller display of the mobile app, sometimes the piano diagrams will be displayed differently on the app compared to the website. This usually means the chord is turned into an inversion, containing the same notes, but moving the lowest note you would see on the website into a higher position.
Unfortunately it’s not possible to change this because of the display accommodation. Sorry for any inconvenience caused! Hopefully as you become more familiar with playing the chords you will become more comfortable.
Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with!
Best regards,
Yeonjoo @ Chordify”
Yeah, right it’s my iPhone thats the problem.
They finally admitted that there was an update to the app that caused the chord displays to change (invert), and they don’t plan to go back.
payment was taken. and my subscription was taken of.
Would not let me log in.
bad business
Does the premium version play play all of the licks and nuances that I hear in the Jefferson’s theme song?
I think it’s just chords/bass lines.
I do not see the “simplify chords” option on the iPhone app. I’m assuming it is turned on because the app is ignoring anything beyond very basic chords (major, minor, 7th). Also, there’s no way to see edits that have been made.
I am wondering if changes made in the web version will translate to the app? (no idea what password I used for the app, so it will be a while before I can use the web version).
Can you reset the password and check on the web version? I think simplify chords is selected by default.
I had free Chordify and now I lost all my songs and all I want is it back I don’t want all the features the premium give I’m satisfied with just the cords and playing along with the artist which I was completely satisfied one I’m disappointed in the app only just getting 3 songs a day we’re before I was was playing for 2hrs at a time and now I can’t do that. All I want is my free service back and not all the features premium provides
Teresa – have you checked with their customer support? If not, let me know and I can get you in touch with someone who can help you.
Ok thank you I’ve been going in circles all day trying to get what I had. This is a big loss for me I miss it so much I’m lost without it.
Have you been able to get in touch with them?
No I’ve been trying all day I can’t get anyone and believe me I’ve gotten no we’re
Hey Teresa – I just emailed my contact there, so I’ll respond back in this thread once I hear back from them.
No
another thing that premium gives you is the ability to upload any song and have chordify figure out the chords, so you’re not just limited to YouTube videos.
This feature is important, in that
oftentimes , a song that you have purchased from Apple iTunes, may
not be available in a utube video ,
and also the chords may not be
available on the chord sites.
Have you tried the MIDI feature? Do you get from chordify a file with different tracks? The song I was interested in and found in Chordify has several instruments plus the vocals.
Hey Fernando – I have not tried the MIDI feature so I’m not sure. Sorry I can’t be more helpful here.
No problem, thank you!
Is there a daily/weekly limit on how many songs you can look up if you don’t have a premium membership?
There is, but I’m not sure exactly what the number is. I think it’s just a few. Here’s the feature breakdown: https://chordify.net/premium
3 songs a day. But for me I can only work on one song at a time so 3 songs is more than enough.
Does chordify give you the strumming patterns for the songs
Hey Colin – I don’t believe so.
It does not give you the strum patterns but that is the beauty of the website. It gives you a chance to figure out, learn and practice a strum pattern by ear.