FlipFolder vs Beam Music
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FlipFolder
This application allows musical groups to share and view sheet music digitally. Band leaders can manage performances, instantly displaying selected songs on all connected members' devices. It uses cloud storage for music and both internet and Bluetooth for connectivity.
- Digital sheet music viewer
- Group performance management
- Cloud music storage integration
- Real-time song display during performances
- Internet and Bluetooth connectivity
- Offline song pre-download
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FlipFolder App helps directors and performers organize music, run performances, and stay connected from the first rehearsal to the final note. Designed for real ensembles, it reduces setup time and keeps everyone focused when it matters most. Access your Sheet Music Library Organize by playlist or performance Switch between songs easily Mark up your music with notes, highlights, and edits Share annotations with your ensemble Distraction free viewing experience
Beam Music
Easily import, organize, and annotate music files for ensembles. Share access and collaborate with section leaders. Live Mode synchronizes music across all devices instantly without internet.
- Import PDFs from cloud storage and local files
- Edit and crop music pages
- Annotate with pencil, highlighter, and text tools
- Collaborative notes for section leaders
- Real-time music synchronization via Live Mode
- Organize music into collections and set lists
- Backup music library
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IMPORT AND ASSIGN FILES WITH EASE - Import PDFs from Dropbox, Google Drive, and Local Storage - Assign full files or single pages - Crop, cut, and edit parts - Give edit access to student leaders ANNOTATE YOUR MUSIC - Pencil tool: Draw on the music - Highlighter: Mark key areas - Text tool: Add important notes - Shared notes: Section leaders can add notes for the entire section STAY IN SYNC WITH LIVE MODE Activate Live Mode to automatically connect everyone in the ensemble to your device. When you select a piece of music, everyone’s individual parts for that song are instantly displayed on their personal device. All without the need for internet. ORGANIZE YOUR LIBRARY - Create a collection of songs - Add songs to a set list in a specific order - Add the duration of the song - Back up your library with Beam Backup
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Beam Music at 4.4 against FlipFolder's 3.5. Beam Music also leads on review sentiment (36% vs 22%) and ratings volume (283 vs 57). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Beam Music holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 283 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of FlipFolder's written reviews are positive against 36% of Beam Music's.
FlipFolder ships an update fortnightly, Beam Music every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 9, 2026.
| Parameter | FlipFolder | Beam Music |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (57 ratings) | 4.4 (283 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | 36.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 57 | 283 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 159 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc. | Ultimate Drill Book |
Customer experience
FlipFolder
Beam Music
Bugs and requests
FlipFolder
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Beam Music
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes constantly, especially when needed
- Lag makes page turning and note-taking difficult
- Annotations disappear after using live mode
- Zoom level resets when orientation changes
- Portrait mode activates unexpectedly
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- Notes from other songs appear randomly
- Search feature fails to work reliably
- Music fails to load when switching between pieces
- Auto-download feature doesn't work
- App becomes unresponsive with frozen screen
- Battery drains excessively fast
- Phone overheats during rehearsal
- Annotations won't save, erase, or stick properly
- Screenshot returns white page instead of music
Requested features
12 requests- Horizontal page lock (like FlipFolder)
- Ability to save zoom level with vertical scrolling
- Live session annotation capability
- Auto-select correct part for user
- Mass select parts instead of individual selection
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Highlighter tool for dynamics
- White pen/eraser for marking corrections
- Screenshot capability for backup
- Access to music files in Files app
- Rotation lock that maintains landscape orientation
- Better customization options
- Improved search functionality
In-app purchases
FlipFolder
No in-app purchases
Beam Music
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FlipFolder free?
Is Beam Music free?
Which has better reviews, FlipFolder or Beam Music?
Do FlipFolder or Beam Music have ads?
Which is updated more often, FlipFolder or Beam Music?
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