Comparison

Guitar Notation vs TabStudio

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

Head to head
About

Guitar Notation

This app allows guitar enthusiasts to read, compose, edit, and play back guitar sheet music. It supports multi-track tabs, chord charts, and various notation elements, enabling users to create music on the go.

Highlights
  • Read, compose, and edit guitar sheet music
  • Playback functionality with high-quality sound
  • Multi-track tab support
  • Chord chart configuration
  • Export in MusicXML, MIDI, PNG, and PDF formats
  • Supports up to 8 staff for editing
Features
Read full description

A great guitar tabs and chords notation app on iOS. For any guitar music lover, Guitar Notation gives you the ability to read, compose, edit, and playback guitar sheet music scores. With it you can be a talented composer and great musician anywhere. As long as you have a little knowledge of sheet music, you can write music composition simply by touch and move. Of course it could help you to learn guitar notations. It can handle multi-track tabs, also it supports for chord chart configuration. 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: -Export in 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 many kinds of guitar and bass instrument. ----------------------- Supported notation: *A variety of note types, from whole note to 128th note and dotted note *Chord chart configuration *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) - Config chord freely - Change beat type and tempo - A wide variety of guitar types - Config sound for each part - No watermark image export - No Ads - Support 2nd voice part - Config capo for each line - Import data file - The subscriptions are $9.99 monthly - 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

TabStudio

Features
Read full description

Ever come up with an amazing guitar riff or solo line during practice, only to forget it because you didn't have staff paper or a laptop nearby? Looking for a fast, intuitive way to write and listen to guitar tabs on the go without wrestling with heavy desktop software? TabStudio is a streamlined, powerful guitar and bass tablature creator designed for guitarists, bassists, songwriters, and music teachers. Turn your musical ideas into clean, playable tabs in seconds, listen to instant audio playback, and export professional sheet music right from your iPhone or iPad! [ Effortless & Fast Tablature Editing ] - Intuitive fretboard and number input interface designed specifically for touchscreens—no steep learning curve required. - Full rhythm control including whole notes down to 32nd notes, dotted notes, triplets, and rests. - Speed up your songwriting workflow with easy measure management, copy/paste, and instant undo/redo. [ Rich Guitar Articulations & Chord Notations ] - Express every nuance of your playing with essential guitar techniques: Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, Slides, Bends, Vibrato, Palm Muting, Harmonics, and more. - Add chord names, fret diagrams, and performance notes above your measures to build complete lead sheets. [ Real-Time Audio Playback & Practice Tools ] - Hear your composition immediately! Play back your tabs to check melodies, harmonies, and rhythm accuracy on the spot. - Fine-tune your tempo (BPM), turn on the built-in metronome, and loop challenging sections to practice at your own pace. [ Multi-Instrument & Custom Tuning Support ] - Create tabs for 6-string Acoustic/Electric Guitar, 4-string/5-string Bass, Ukulele, and more. - Easily switch between Standard tuning, Drop D, Half-Step Down, Open tunings, or customize each string to match your setup. [ Crisp PDF Export & Instant Sharing ] - Export your finished tabs as clean, print-ready PDF documents with a single tap. - Share your sheet music effortlessly with bandmates, students, or friends via AirDrop, Email, or messaging apps. [ 100% Privacy & Zero Distractions ] - No sign-ups, no accounts, and zero ads to interrupt your creative flow. - All your scores and musical ideas stay safely stored on your device. Download TabStudio today and never let a great guitar riff slip away again!

Screenshots

Guitar Notation4 screens
TabStudio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TabStudio at none against Guitar Notation's 6. TabStudio also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). Guitar Notation's advantage is iOS requirement (13 vs 26.5). 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. Guitar Notation sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. TabStudio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Guitar Notation ships an update every 4 months, TabStudio every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Guitar Notation versus TabStudio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGuitar NotationTabStudio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (249 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings249 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB149 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer嵩 张JOOYOUNG MAENG

Bugs and requests

Guitar Notation

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Audio playback only works through Bluetooth
  • Can't create a D chord, forces barre chord
  • Freezes on login screen
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to change tuning
  • Add palm muting feature
  • Add more examples
  • Add instructions/tutorial
  • Add ability to transpose
Show 1 more
  • Add ability to input chord symbols

TabStudio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Guitar Notation

Subscriptions3
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time3
  • Guitar Instrument Group$0.99
  • Bass Instrument Group$0.99
  • Extras Package$14.99
None

TabStudio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Guitar Notation free?
Guitar Notation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TabStudio free?
TabStudio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Guitar Notation or TabStudio have ads?
Neither Guitar Notation nor TabStudio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Guitar Notation or TabStudio?
Guitar Notation ships an update every 4 months, and TabStudio every 2 months. Most recently, Guitar Notation was updated on October 29, 2026 and TabStudio on October 25, 2026.

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