Hookpad vs Chord Genie

Hookpad4.8Visit CGChord Genie8.0Visit

Hookpad #3 in AI Chord Progression Generators 4.8/10 Free plan · paid from $7.99/mo Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Hookpad

vs

Higher score CG Chord Genie #8 in AI Chord Progression Generators 8.0/10 From $97 ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Unison

• Hookpad fits best

  Songwriters needing theory-guided AI ideas

• Chord Genie fits best

  AI chord generation with linked MIDI tools

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Side by side

Feature	Hookpad 4.8/10 Visit ↗	CGChord Genie 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	4.8	8.0
Ranking	#3 in AI Chord Progression Generators	#8 in AI Chord Progression Generators
Best for	Songwriters needing theory-guided AI ideas	AI chord generation with linked MIDI tools
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$7.99/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Desktop
Platforms	Web	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Hookpad 0/2 · Chord Genie 2/2
MIDI export	Not published	✓ (best)
Melody/bass follow-up	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Key/scale controls	Not published	Key_and_scale
Genre styles	Not published	Genre_and_style
DAW plugin formats	Not published	Vst3_au_aax
Supported platforms	Not published	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Music-theory suggestions connect chord and melody decisions Editors cover chords, melodies, lyrics, recording and mixing Exports include MIDI, MP3, sheet music and lead sheets	Generates 4-, 8-, or 16-bar progressions by key, scale, and style Built-in piano roll supports note editing and preset saving Drag-and-drop or export royalty-free MIDI into DAW projects
Cons	Web-only access depends on a browser and cloud deployment Free plan limits users to basic chord and melody writing Aria AI generation requires a separate $14.99 monthly plan	Requires a $97 one-time purchase and has no free plan Desktop-only support for Mac and Windows excludes mobile workflows Email is the listed support channel rather than live assistance
Our verdict	Hookpad is browser-based songwriting software from Hooktheory for songwriters, producers, musicians, educators, students and composers. Its workspace combines a chord progression editor, chord search, melody editor, lyric editor with… Read the review →	Chord Genie is a desktop DAW plug-in from Unison for musicians and producers who want AI-assisted chord ideas without leaving a MIDI-focused workflow. Choose a key and scale, select a 4-, 8-, or 16-bar length, and generate progression… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Hookpad — where it wins

  • Music-theory suggestions connect chord and melody decisions
  • Editors cover chords, melodies, lyrics, recording and mixing
  • Exports include MIDI, MP3, sheet music and lead sheets

  Where it doesn't

  • Web-only access depends on a browser and cloud deployment
  • Free plan limits users to basic chord and melody writing
  • Aria AI generation requires a separate $14.99 monthly plan

• Chord Genie — where it wins

  • Generates 4-, 8-, or 16-bar progressions by key, scale, and style
  • Built-in piano roll supports note editing and preset saving
  • Drag-and-drop or export royalty-free MIDI into DAW projects

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires a $97 one-time purchase and has no free plan
  • Desktop-only support for Mac and Windows excludes mobile workflows
  • Email is the listed support channel rather than live assistance

• Hookpad4.8/10 · Free plan · paid from $7.99/mo

  Theory-guided chord, melody and lyric creation in a browser, with optional AI generation.

  Visit HookpadFull verdict →
• CGChord Genie8.0/10 · From $97

  A focused desktop chord generator with editable piano roll and lifetime MIDI workflows.

  Visit UnisonFull verdict →