# Drumstik vs Drum Notation by Beat Note

The clearest difference is price: Drum Notation by Beat Note at Free against Drumstik's $13.99. Drum Notation by Beat Note also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and review sentiment (83% vs 53%). Drumstik's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Drum Notation by Beat Note is free to download; Drumstik costs $13.99 up front. Drum Notation by Beat Note sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.69 per month. Drumstik asks for nothing beyond the download.

Drum Notation by Beat Note holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drum Notation by Beat Note has 83 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Drumstik's written reviews are positive against 83% of Drum Notation by Beat Note's.

Drumstik ships an update every 6 weeks, Drum Notation by Beat Note every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on August 17, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drumstik | Drum Notation by Beat Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $13.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drumstik/id1281081542/reviews) | **[4.7 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **83** |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 238 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [julien jura](https://appshunter.io/developer/1782896594) | [Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/945994325) |

## What reviewers say

### Drumstik

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drumstik/id1281081542)

Record musical ideas directly from your electronic drum kit and automatically generate transcriptions. Edit, share, and analyze your performance with a unique coaching mode. Access an online platform for lessons and practice materials to improve your drumming skills.

**Highlights:** Automatic transcription from electronic drums, Score editing and sharing, Online content platform for lessons, Performance analysis with 'coach' mode, Progress tracking and history, Practice with provided working documents

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Drum Notation by Beat Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475)

Create, practice, and share drum music notation with ease. This app transforms sequenced beats into professional sheet music, offering tools for composition, transcription, and interactive teaching. Enhance your drumming journey with customizable practice sessions and high-quality export options.

**Highlights:** Sequencer to notation conversion, Compose and transcribe drum beats, Customizable practice sessions, Interactive teaching tools, High-quality PDF and image export, Multiple notation voicing options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Educator Tier Monthly (No Trial) | $6.69 | per month |
| Creator Tier Monthly (No Trial) | $13.49 | per month |
| Educator Tier Annual (No Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| Educator Tier Annual + Free Trial | $59.99 | per year |
| Creator Tier Annual + Free Trial | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Quick and efficient notation
- 🎶 Great sound playback
- 💡 Excellent for teaching and learning
- ✍️ Simple to write exercises and ideas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 💸 High annual cost
- 🆓 Limited free version
- 🚫 No one-time purchase option
- 🤔 Subscription model makes little sense to some

**Reported bugs**

- Preview rarely matches notes on staff
- Sometimes doesn't play any notes
- Sounds not always appropriate for instrument voicing
- Editing measures is inconvenient
- Free trial charged immediately

**Requested features**

- 7/8 time signature support
- Syncing between devices
- Web version
- Native Mac/Windows apps
- Add text or notes to notations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Drumstik free?

Drumstik costs $13.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Drum Notation by Beat Note free?

Drum Notation by Beat Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Drumstik or Drum Notation by Beat Note?

Drum Notation by Beat Note is rated higher. Drumstik averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Drum Notation by Beat Note averages 4.7 from 83 ratings.

### Do Drumstik or Drum Notation by Beat Note have ads?

Neither Drumstik nor Drum Notation by Beat Note shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Drumstik or Drum Notation by Beat Note?

Drumstik ships an update every 6 weeks, and Drum Notation by Beat Note every 9 days. Most recently, Drumstik was updated on August 17, 2026 and Drum Notation by Beat Note on September 23, 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.*