Hookpad

Web · paid plans from $7.99/mo

Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.4

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Hookpad is ranked #6 of 30 in songwriting software on Freedom251. It runs on Web. There is a free plan. Paid plans start at $7.99/mo.

Hookpad plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Chords and melody · Smart Guides · unlimited cloud save · advanced features have 1-minute previews hooktheory.com · 2 Oct 2026

Standard $7.99/mo Monthly; cancel anytime Full features · plus tax where applicable hooktheory.com · 2 Oct 2026

Aria AI add-on $14.99/mo Monthly Optional add-on · plus tax where applicable hooktheory.com · 2 Oct 2026

Standard $199 once Lifetime Full features · plus tax where applicable hooktheory.com · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on songwriting software

Free plan: Yes
Paid from: $7.99/mo
Lyric tools: Yes
Chord tools: Yes
Melody tools: Yes
Demo recording: Yes
Platform support: web

Best Hookpad alternatives

See all 12

Two bars Song Cage Free tier No. 1Free6.7 Two bars SundayMusic Free tier No. 2Free6.5 One bar Suno Free tier No. 3$8/mo6.5 Two bars Zoundroom Free tier No. 4€4.99/mo6.5 One bar Chordbot Free tier No. 5Free6.4 One bar Nitesong Free tier No. 7$9/mo6.4

The record

What it does: Hookpad is songwriting software with integrated music theory tools for composing musical ideas, chord progressions, melodies, and songs.
Theory-informed suggestions: Hookpad says its chord tools draw on music theory and data from 75,000 songs.
Composition features: Hookpad includes Smart Guides, transposition, tempo and looping, piano playback, and cloud saving in its free plan.
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.
Aria: Aria is an optional AI songwriting add-on that can suggest chords, melodies, or both for a project.
Music exports: The user guide describes exporting MIDI, MP3, sheet music, guitar tablature, and lead sheets.
DAW compatibility: Hookpad exports MIDI for import into digital audio workstations such as GarageBand, Logic, and Pro Tools.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Support: Hooktheory says Dave Carlton personally handles its software and book support emails.
Price from: $7.99/mo

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Songwriting Software in 2026#6 of 30

Is Hookpad yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Claim it free Promote Hookpad

Sources

hooktheory.com/hookpad· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/hookpad/pricing· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/support/hookpad· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/faq· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/privacy· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/hookpad/aria-tos· checked 2 Oct 2026
hooktheory.com/about· checked 2 Oct 2026