Comparison

Notation Pad vs EFFESTORE

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

EFFESTORE

Features
Read full description

EFFE-STORE è l'app del negozio di strumenti musicali di Castelceriolo, alle porte di Alessandria. Da una parte gli attrezzi che servono ogni giorno a chi suona, dall'altra il filo diretto con il banco e con il laboratorio. GLI STRUMENTI DA PALCO Accordatore cromatico che ascolta dal microfono e ti dice quanto sei distante dalla nota. Metronomo con accenti, suddivisioni, metri dispari e tempo trainer che sale da solo. Accordi e scale per chitarra, basso e ukulele, con le diteggiature disegnate sul manico. Funzionano senza connessione: in sala prove il telefono non ha campo e loro devono esserci lo stesso. SUONA, E MIGLIORA Esercizi e giri di accordi che scorrono a tempo. Allenamento dell'orecchio su intervalli, accordi, ritmi e intonazione. Il tuo repertorio, cioè i brani che sai suonare davvero, con tonalità, BPM e capotasto. E un registro della pratica che tiene il conto dei giorni di fila: è più difficile saltare un giorno quando vedi la serie. SCOPRI UN DISCO AL GIORNO Un album al giorno scelto sullo strumento che suoni, con il perché conta, i brani da ascoltare e le fonti. Un quiz per vedere quanto ne sai. Un archivio dei dischi già usciti. IL NEGOZIO IN TASCA Il catalogo con acquisto diretto dall'app. Le riparazioni: prenoti, ricevi il preventivo, lo accetti o lo rifiuti e segui lo stato fino al ritiro, con una notifica a ogni passaggio. Il noleggio di strumenti, audio e luci. Il liutaio, un assistente che risponde ai dubbi tecnici e ti dice quando conviene passare in laboratorio. La prenotazione di una prova in negozio, il sabato. Gli eventi in negozio. I PREMI SI RITIRANO AL BANCO Chi si esercita con costanza si guadagna un plettro, un set di corde montato, uno sconto sul set-up. Il codice si mostra alla cassa: nessuna spedizione, nessun punto virtuale. QUELLO CHE RESTA SUL TELEFONO Il microfono viene ascoltato dal vivo per accordare e per gli esercizi, ma non viene mai registrato né inviato da nessuna parte. Scalette, repertorio e progressi restano sul dispositivo. EFFE STORE — Via Provinciale Alessandria - Sale 27, Castelceriolo (AL) — 0131 1641867

Screenshots

Notation Pad4 screens
EFFESTORE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EFFESTORE at none against Notation Pad's 10. EFFESTORE also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Notation Pad's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads and device support 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

Both are free to download. Notation Pad sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. EFFESTORE asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notation Pad ships an update monthly, EFFESTORE every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Notation Pad versus EFFESTORE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNotation PadEFFESTORE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (5.3K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.3K — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size162 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer嵩 张Fulvio Zangirolami

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

EFFESTORE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

EFFESTORE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Notation Pad free?
Notation Pad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is EFFESTORE free?
EFFESTORE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Notation Pad or EFFESTORE have ads?
Neither Notation Pad nor EFFESTORE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Notation Pad or EFFESTORE?
Notation Pad ships an update monthly, and EFFESTORE every 5 days. Most recently, Notation Pad was updated on November 11, 2026 and EFFESTORE on October 31, 2026.

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