# MusicPad – Music Writing — Write, compose & score music

> Digital music notation and composition app for musicians using Apple Pencil. (iPhone/iPad app by Juan Andres Verdaguer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicpad-music-writing/id6443832153 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Juan Andres Verdaguer](https://appshunter.io/developer/515848740)
- Category: Music, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 56 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 41 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-12-31
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicpad-music-writing/id6443832153/reviews.md

## What is MusicPad?

From detailed hand-written scores to fleeting ideas you don’t want to lose, MusicPad is a modern pen-and-paper experience designed specifically for musicians and composers.

— A true handwritten notation 
Built on Apple’s PencilKit, MusicPad delivers near-zero latency and natural handwriting — turning your iPad into a real music notebook for sheet music and scoring.
• Handwrite music with Apple Pencil using expressive inks and gesture-based tools
• Solid undo across multiple pages for confident edits
• Redesigned tool picker and smooth vector-based zooming
• On-screen controls for zoom, grid, and gestures
Whether you’re working on classical notation, contemporary scoring, or harmonic exercises, MusicPad adapts to your workflow.

— Pages that adapt to your score
Every composition evolves differently. MusicPad lets each page adapt to your notation style.
• Unlimited notepads with customizable sheet music pages
• Per-page configuration: page size, margins, stave layout, spacing, and visibility
• Show or hide staves — ideal for graphic notation, diagrams, or title pages
• Grouped staves and vertical grid for structured layout and clean engraving
Designed for real composers who value both freedom and clarity.

— Effortless navigation
Navigate your score as naturally as paper and as powerfully as a graphic editor.
• Pinch to zoom, scroll, and swipe between pages
• Navigator to reorder, copy, and paste full pages
• Add multiple pages at once
• Built to support long-form scoring and complex compositions

— Built for the Apple Ecosystem
MusicPad integrates seamlessly with iPadOS and iOS.
• Export full scores as PDF
• Share MusicPad files with musicians, students, and collaborators
• System-wide page thumbnails for easy file recognition
• Native file system integration with iCloud syncing
• Full support for Apple Pencil Pro, including hover, squeeze, and double-tap
Designed for iPad. Available everywhere.
MusicPad 2.0 is optimized for iPad as your primary writing surface, with iPhone support focused on viewing and page editing.
Please note that writing on the iPhone is not supported.

FREE APP
The free version lets you:
• Create unlimited MusicPad files
• Add up to one page per document
• Access all writing tools
• Sync files across devices with iCloud

UNLOCK ALL FEATURES
Support the ongoing development of MusicPad with a one-time purchase and unlock:
• Unlimited pages
• Full page configuration and navigation
• Export documents as PDF
• Bookmarks, grids, and advanced layout tools

Educational institutions may purchase "MusicPad for Education" without in-app purchases. 
For individual purchases please look for "MusicPad – Writing Music".

MusicPad 2.0 runs on iOS and iPadOS 18 or later.

Create music. Simplified.

## Key features

- Handwritten music notation with Apple Pencil
- Unlimited notepads and customizable pages
- Gesture-based tools and undo functionality
- Effortless navigation and page management
- PDF export and file sharing
- iCloud syncing across devices

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock All Features | $24.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $5.99 | one-time |
| Extra Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Regular Tip | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicpad-music-writing/id6443832153/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Clean and Simple

*2026-02-18*

What more can I say, easy to use for somebody who likes to hand write charts. Highly recommended.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your review Auto Penny! Best, Juan

### 5/5 — Perfect for my needs

*2024-11-18*

I do a lot of harmony exercises to keep my skills sharp. I do have a whiteboard that I use to save on paper but wanted some way of saving them. In steps musicpad the perfect tool for mocking out the exercises as I currently work my way through C.H.Kitson’s Elementary Harmony once more.

Looking forward to see what comes in version 2.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your review AEMusician! I’m very happy to hear MusicPad is working for you. All the best!

### 3/5 — What’s the difference?

*2024-11-06*

I bought the full version after testing it a little and there is no compositional advantage I can see. No OCR, no stamps. Basically this is a drawing program with staff paper. Am I missing something?

I’m guessing the sharing feature is important to some but for me it was a waste of money. Sigh…

**Developer response:** Sorry to hear that Jguy3139. "Drawing over staff paper" is more important than what you make it look like, not just for me but for many others. That is the compositional advantage indeed. OCR will not be part of this app but stamps will be in a future release.
You're always welcome to ask for a refund from Apple if you're unsatisfied with your purchase. Thanks for your review!

### 2/5 — Can’t Get it to work

*2024-09-17*

I’m using an ipad 12.9 pro, trying to test free version- can’t get it to do much of anything.

**Developer response:** Sorry to hear that. The app is designed to be used together with an Apple Pencil on the iPad, otherwise you won't be able to write with precision (you could still write with your fingers though). What exactly are you trying to do with it? You can contact me directly to info@musicpad.app for more troubleshooting.

### 5/5 — Very good and very well built app

*2024-03-29*

I would like to see stamps in the future,like of clefs for example. I bought the full version because this is a very well built app

**Developer response:** Thanks for the review! I’m busy with stamps as we speak, stay tuned for more ;)

### 5/5 — Convenient Tool

*2023-02-21*

Great tool. Easy to use and share the outcomes of music development with anyone, anywhere, anytime!

**Developer response:** Thanks ALHSMH for your review!

### 5/5 — Solid App for music educators, composers and practitioners

*2023-02-19*

I was very impressed with the various functionalities this app offers to facilitate music scoring, and sharing in various formats, including converting scores into pdf. It is a great tool for those developing tunes, those learning how to score musical pieces and those seeking to collaborating with others seamlessly in a digital space. Excellent value!

**Developer response:** Thanks Jenny M V for your review! Best, Juan

## Frequently asked questions about MusicPad

### What is MusicPad?

MusicPad is a digital notebook application designed for musicians and composers to handwrite and compose music scores using Apple Pencil on their iPad.

### Can I write music on my iPhone with MusicPad?

MusicPad is optimized for iPad as the primary writing surface. While you can view and edit pages on an iPhone, writing on the iPhone is not supported.

### What features are available in the free version of MusicPad?

The free version allows you to create unlimited MusicPad files, add up to one page per document, access all writing tools, and sync files across devices with iCloud.

### How do I unlock all features in MusicPad?

You can unlock unlimited pages, full page configuration and navigation, PDF export, bookmarks, grids, and advanced layout tools with a one-time purchase.

### Does MusicPad support Apple Pencil Pro?

Yes, MusicPad offers full support for Apple Pencil Pro, including features like hover, squeeze, and double-tap gestures.

### How often is MusicPad updated?

The latest version, 2.0, was last updated on March 25, 2026, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and feature enhancements.

### What platforms is MusicPad available on?

MusicPad runs on iOS and iPadOS 18 or later and is designed for iPad, with iPhone support focused on viewing and page editing.

### How does MusicPad handle music notation?

MusicPad provides a true handwritten notation experience built on Apple’s PencilKit, offering near-zero latency and natural handwriting for creating sheet music and scores.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.2 — 2026-04-20

- Various internal fixes

### 2.0 — 2026-03-25

MusicPad 2 brings major improvements to writing, navigation, and score organization — built from real composing sessions and community feedback.

— Writing & Tools
• Redesigned Tool Picker for faster access to all writing tools
• Expressive Apple inks for natural handwritten notation
• Improved per-page undo for precise, non-destructive editing
• Smoother vector-based zooming for detailed sheet music work
• On-screen controls for zoom, grid, gestures, and page management

— Navigation & Organization
• Brand new Navigator to browse, reorder, copy, and paste full pages
• Add multiple pages at once for long-form scoring
• Bookmarks for quick access to important sections of your score
• System-wide file thumbnails showing the current page

— Layout & Configuration
• Expanded stave and page configuration options
• Grouped staves for faster formatting
• Optional vertical grids for structured alignment
• Improved page interaction performance

— Workflow & Integration
• Enhanced export options
• Better document management from the title menu
• Full support for Apple Pencil Pro features including hover, squeeze, and double-tap
• Overall workflow refinements and UI polish

### 1.4.3 — 2025-11-29

FIX: Opening files crash affecting some devices on iPadOS 26.1 is now resolved

### 1.4.2 — 2025-09-17

FIX: The zoom menu has been re-enabled and the UI zooming glitch has been fixed

### 1.4.1 — 2025-09-16

FIX: The eraser tool shows up correctly on iOS and iPadOS 26
FIX: Small cosmetic improvements

KNOWN ISSUE: The zoom menu has been temporarily disabled due to a bug affecting some users. As a workaround you can use a pinch finger gesture to zoom in and out on a page. Sorry for the inconvenience. A fix is currently under development.

## Apps similar to MusicPad

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Notation Pad-Sheet Music Score](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-sheet-music-score/id1091921942) | 4.3 (5,264) | Free | Music |
| [Flat: Sheet Music Maker & Tabs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flat-sheet-music-maker-and-tabs/id1177592149) | 4.6 (6,736) | Free | Music |
| [Notation Pad Pro - Sheet Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-pro-sheet-music/id1163705635) | 4.2 (159) | $149.00 | Music |
| [Rhymer's Block](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhymers-block/id796584182) | 4.7 (33,880) | Free | Music |
| [Lyric Notepad - Song Writing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyric-notepad-song-writing/id1435329761) | 3.5 (616) | Free | Music |
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## More apps by Juan Andres Verdaguer

- [MusicPad for Education](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicpad-for-education/id6759610430)

All apps by Juan Andres Verdaguer: https://appshunter.io/developer/515848740

## Related topics

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*