# Notation Pad vs Simple Music Note Workout

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Notation Pad at 56% against Simple Music Note Workout's 0%. Notation Pad also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (5.3K vs 1). Simple Music Note Workout's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notation Pad sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Simple Music Note Workout sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notation Pad holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notation Pad has 5.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Notation Pad's written reviews are positive against 0% of Simple Music Note Workout's.

Notation Pad ships an update monthly, Simple Music Note Workout fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Notation Pad | Simple Music Note Workout |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (5.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-sheet-music-score/id1091921942/reviews)** | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-music-note-workout/id1160706552/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.3K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **55.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 162 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [嵩 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1091921941) | [Guillaume Laurent](https://appshunter.io/developer/1160706551) |

## What reviewers say

### Notation Pad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-sheet-music-score/id1091921942)

Create, edit, and play sheet music with this comprehensive notation editor. Compose original pieces, transcribe existing music, and even collaborate in real-time. Ideal for musicians of all levels, from beginners learning notes to experienced composers.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaborative editing, MusicXML, MIDI, PNG, and PDF export, High-quality playback sound, Support for up to 8 staves, Over 100 instrument sounds, Lyric editing, Multi-voice support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, SharePlay

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Guitar Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ensemble Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Brass Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Reed Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pipe Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Strings Instrument Group | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Instruments Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Extras Package | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎼 Good for basic music notation
- 🎹 Helpful for piano/keyboard players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Many features locked behind paywall
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable at times
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to desktop apps
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find features

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription popup that cannot be closed
- Instruments turning into drums unexpectedly
- Inability to delete or modify certain elements

**Requested features**

- Add more instrument options
- Improve editing capabilities
- Allow changing key signatures and time signatures without premium
- Provide better tutorials and documentation
- Fix issues with note placement and playback


### Simple Music Note Workout

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-music-note-workout/id1160706552)

Practice note recognition on your instrument with this app. It helps you learn your fretboard or keyboard by identifying notes you play and offering three difficulty levels. Additional music notation and ear training exercises are available.

**Highlights:** Note recognition by ear, Instrument fretboard/keyboard learning, Pitch recognition feedback, Three difficulty levels, Music notation exercises (in-app purchase), Ear training exercises (in-app purchase)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Music Notation and Ear Training Exercises | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Notation Pad free?

Notation Pad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Simple Music Note Workout free?

Simple Music Note Workout is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Notation Pad or Simple Music Note Workout?

Notation Pad is rated higher. Notation Pad averages 4.3 out of 5 from 5.3K ratings, while Simple Music Note Workout averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Notation Pad or Simple Music Note Workout have ads?

Neither Notation Pad nor Simple Music Note Workout shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Notation Pad or Simple Music Note Workout?

Notation Pad ships an update monthly, and Simple Music Note Workout fortnightly. Most recently, Notation Pad was updated on October 29, 2026 and Simple Music Note Workout on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*