Auralia vs Functional Ear Trainer
Both are ear training apps. Auralia comprehensive ear-training software with graded drills; Functional Ear Trainer ear training focused on hearing scale degrees in context. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
About Auralia
Auralia, made by Rising Software, is an ear-training program with a large set of graded exercises covering intervals, scales, chords and progressions, rhythm, and melodic and harmonic dictation. It is built to develop aural skills systematically, from beginner recognition through advanced dictation. The software tracks results over time and offers cloud and classroom features for teachers, so an instructor can assign topics and review student progress; it is frequently paired with its sibling program Musition for written theory. The depth and gradation of its exercise library is what makes it a staple in formal study. Auralia is aimed at students, conservatories, schools, and serious self-learners who want rigorous aural training. It runs on Windows and macOS with a cloud option, and is sold as a paid product, with perpetual licences and subscription plans and institutional pricing available.
About Functional Ear Trainer
Functional Ear Trainer is a mobile ear-training app built around the Alain Benbassat method, which teaches listeners to recognize tones by their function within a key rather than by memorizing isolated intervals. The app establishes a key by playing a short chord cadence and then asks the user to identify how a played note relates to that tonal center. Its core Basic Training mode plays a cadence followed by a single tone, and the user identifies the scale degree, training functional pitch recognition through repeated short sessions. An advanced mode extends this by playing two notes sequentially or simultaneously so users can identify scale degrees and the interval between them. The app is designed around short daily practice, and includes configurable playback and label settings, an optional intro game for new users, daily practice reminders, and the ability to share results. It is intended for musicians who want to improve relative pitch for playing by ear, improvising, and transcribing. The app is available on iOS and Android and follows a freemium model, with a substantial set of free exercises and additional features unlocked through paid upgrades.