Comparison

Notation Pad vs StaffPad

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Notation Pad

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
Read full description

A sheet music creator and music notation editor on iOS. For any music lover or composer, Notation Pad gives you the ability to read, compose, edit, playback music scores and write lyrics. With it you can be a talented composer and great sheet music maker anywhere. As long as you have a little knowledge of sheet music, you can write music composition simply by touching and moving. You could use it as your songbook or scoresheet. It is also designed for a beginner who wants to learn music score, music notes and tablature. It can handle ensemble, choir or symphony score, also it supports for a single track piano score. With the help of it you could easily record the flashes of inspiration wherever they strike. Are you ready to compose music in a simple way? ----------------------- Features: -Realtime multi-person collaborative editing via SharePlay. -Export/Import the industry-popular MusicXML file format, allowing for exchanging sheet music with other software (Finale, Sibelius, Encore, MuseScore, etc). -Export MIDI file. -Export PNG image and PDF document. -High quality sound for playback. -Support editing up to 8 staff at the same time. -Support over 100 kinds of musical instrument. Piano, organ, guitar, violin, sax, flute, brass, bass, etc. -Support multi-voice. -A great lyric app. ----------------------- Supported notation: *A variety of music note types, from whole note to 128th note and dotted note *Chord, staff, track *Treble, alto and bass clef *Edit lyrics *A variety of time signatures *All standard key signatures *Adjustable tempo *All accidentals (sharps, flats, double sharps, double flats, and naturals) *Tie, slur, and tuplet *Many types of ornament *A wide range of dynamics ----------------------- UNLIMITED ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION - Support up to 8 staff - Config parts(add, delete, reorder) - Change key for each part - Change beat type and tempo - Config clef for each staff - Config sound for each part - No watermark image export - No Ads - Support 2nd voice part - Transpose instruments - Pickup bar - Import data file - Edit downloaded music score - Unlock all 100+ instruments - The subscription is $6.99 weekly with trial - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that service, where applicable - Terms of use: https://service.notationpad.com/terms_service.html

About

StaffPad

Compose music effortlessly on your iPad with intuitive handwriting input and advanced notation tools. Convert your playing into sheet music, record and edit audio directly on the score, and utilize powerful playback with professional sample libraries. Seamlessly share your work with others using the companion reader app.

Highlights
  • Handwriting music notation with Apple Pencil
  • Convert audio recordings to notation
  • Record and edit audio on score
  • Professional playback with sample libraries
  • Seamless sharing via ScoreSync
  • Import/export MusicXML and MIDI
Features
Read full description

MADE FOR COMPOSERS ------------------------- StaffPad is designed for composers who want to write music effortlessly, using music notation and audio. Write your music using Apple Pencil, and the app will transform your writing into beautifully typeset notation that can be edited, played back, printed and shared. Record or import audio directly onto your score and edit it intuitively with Apple Pencil. Magically convert your real piano playing or existing recordings into notation using advanced on-device machine learning. Add video, smart symbols and use world leading sample libraries and mix your score with a suite of studio effects. From basic idea to a full film score; StaffPad is the easiest, most powerful and most intuitive way to compose music on iPad. WRITE NATURALLY ------------------- Write your score with the fluidity of natural handwriting. Use touch and Apple Pencil to quickly edit your notation. Transpose, repeat and structure your score with intuitive gestures and tools. Customise the tempo with a unique tempo staff (or import a tempo map from a MIDI file), add chords either manually or automatically with the chord staff. You can even copy music written in StaffPad into other apps, simply using the normal copy and paste functions. HEAR YOUR MASTERPIECE ---------------------------- With a groundbreaking playback engine and over 55 included instruments, StaffPad is ready to perform your written piece instantly. Add industry-standard sample libraries, adapted and customised for StaffPad, from some of the world's leading sample developers. This is a leap forward for composers working at the highest levels. SHARE WITH SCORESYNC --------------------------- Once you're ready to perform or record your work, tap the ScoreSync button in StaffPad and your score is instantly shared across a Wi-Fi network to any device running the free StaffPad Reader app (available in the App Store). The Readers present each individual musical part beautifully formatted, update in realtime with any changes you make to your score, handle automatic page turns, and play back in perfect time with a synchronised metronome, for capturing the perfect recording every time. IMPORT AND EXPORT --------------------------- StaffPad imports and exports MusicXML and MIDI files for easily working with other music apps. You can also export your playback as WAV, AAC or MP3. You can import audio files into your score, with support for most major audio formats. WORK WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO -------------------------------- For the first time, you can seamlessly mix audio with your notated score. Record directly onto the score canvas using your device's in-built microphones, or import loops, Tempo map freeform/rubato performances using the tempo staff. Add shine to your production with a suite of studio quality DSP effects, and polish with precise automation. PIANO AND MIDI CAPTURE --------------------------- Record your real piano and convert it into notation. Don't have a real piano? Don't worry - you can connect a USB or Bluetooth MIDI keyboard and record your performance in realtime, converting to notation as you play. PRINT / PDF ------------ As well as digital parts via ScoreSync, StaffPad will automatically format and print parts or export PDFs for you. Customise the paper size, bar number styles, number of bars per line, scaling, margins, multi-bar consolidation and more. StaffPad automatically formats the score for consistent presentation.

Screenshots

Notation Pad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Notation Pad at Free against StaffPad's $49.99. Notation Pad also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (56% vs 40%). StaffPad's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Notation Pad is free to download; StaffPad costs $49.99 up front. Notation Pad sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and StaffPad sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Notation Pad holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notation Pad has 5.3K ratings behind it against 646, 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 40% of StaffPad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notation Pad ships an update monthly, StaffPad fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Notation Pad versus StaffPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNotation PadStaffPad
PriceFree — better$49.99
Rating4.3 (5.3K ratings) — better4.0 (646 ratings)
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews — better39.8% of reviews
Number of ratings5.3K — better646
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size162 MB1.0 GB
Age rating4+4+
Developer嵩 张StaffPad Ltd.

Customer experience

Notation Pad

All ratings5,264 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral5.7%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews465 reviews
Positive55.9%
Neutral8.6%
Negative35.5%

StaffPad

All ratings643 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral5.0%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews533 reviews
Positive39.8%
Neutral12.0%
Negative48.2%

User reviews

Notation Pad

From 5.3K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🔒 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

StaffPad

From 646 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful composing tool
  • 🎨 Intuitive handwriting interface
  • 🎹 High-quality playback sounds
  • 💻 Seamless iPad integration
  • 🎨 Smooth workflow for sketching ideas

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent handwriting recognition
  • 🔧 Steep learning curve
  • 🔒 Requires Apple Pencil
  • 💰 Expensive with additional purchases
  • 🐛 Stability issues and crashes

Bugs and requests

Notation Pad

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

StaffPad

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to recognize certain note values
  • Eraser function unreliable
  • Inconsistent behavior when writing accidentals
  • Crashes when attempting to create new scores
  • Syncing and file management issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved handwriting recognition
  • More flexible note input options
  • Cross-staff notation support
  • Customizable UI and layout
  • Better collaboration and sharing features

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Notation Pad

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access Monthly$14.991 Month
One-time8
  • Guitar Instrument Group$0.99
  • Ensemble Instrument Group$0.99
  • Brass Instrument Group$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Reed Instrument Group$0.99
  • Pipe Instrument Group$0.99
  • Strings Instrument Group$1.99
  • All Instruments Pack$4.99
  • Extras Package$19.99
12 purchases

StaffPad

One-time12
  • Toy GlockenspielFree
  • StaffPad Essential GuitarsFree
  • Retro KeyboardsFree
Show 9 more
  • Muse StringsFree
  • Muse ChoirFree
  • Muse WoodwindsFree
  • Muse PercussionFree
  • Muse BrassFree
  • Muse HarpFree
  • Muse KeysFree
  • Muse Guitars Vol. 1Free
  • StaffPad Essentials: AccordionFree

Questions

Is Notation Pad free?
Notation Pad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StaffPad free?
StaffPad costs $49.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Notation Pad or StaffPad?
Notation Pad is rated higher. Notation Pad averages 4.3 out of 5 from 5.3K ratings, while StaffPad averages 4.0 from 646 ratings.
Do Notation Pad or StaffPad have ads?
Neither Notation Pad nor StaffPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Notation Pad or StaffPad?
Notation Pad ships an update monthly, and StaffPad fortnightly. Most recently, Notation Pad was updated on November 1, 2026 and StaffPad on October 29, 2026.

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