# StaffPad vs Quartet 1

The clearest difference is price: Quartet 1 at $19.99 against StaffPad's $49.99. Quartet 1 also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 40%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.0). StaffPad's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (563 vs 155). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

StaffPad costs $49.99 and Quartet 1 $19.99 up front. StaffPad sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and Quartet 1 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Quartet 1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 563 and 155 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of StaffPad's written reviews are positive against 84% of Quartet 1's.

StaffPad ships an update every 2 weeks, Quartet 1 every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | StaffPad | Quartet 1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $49.99 | **$19.99** |
| Rating | [4.0 (563 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffpad/id1442074103/reviews) | **[4.7 (155 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quartet-1/id1623038041/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **563** | 155 |
| Positive reviews | 39.9% of reviews | **84.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1020 MB | 706 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.5** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [StaffPad Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1258751005) | [UK Music Apps Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/579320222) |

## What reviewers say

### StaffPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffpad/id1442074103)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Toy Glockenspiel | Free | one-time |
| StaffPad Essential Guitars | Free | one-time |
| Retro Keyboards | Free | one-time |
| Muse Strings | Free | one-time |
| Muse Choir | Free | one-time |
| Muse Woodwinds | Free | one-time |
| Muse Percussion | Free | one-time |
| Muse Brass | Free | one-time |
| Muse Harp | Free | one-time |
| Muse Keys | Free | one-time |
| Muse Guitars Vol. 1 | Free | one-time |
| StaffPad Essentials: Accordion | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


### Quartet 1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quartet-1/id1623038041)

Practice and perform jazz standards with high-quality backing tracks. Mute your instrument, change keys, adjust tempo, and loop sections. Features animated chord diagrams and playlist creation for an enhanced musical experience.

**Highlights:** Live jazz standards backing tracks, Mute your instrument, Change key and tempo, Loop practice sections, Animated chord diagrams, Multi-app playlist creation, Multitrack export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade song | $0.99 | one-time |
| Buy 10 tokens | $8.99 | one-time |
| Buy 20 tokens | $14.99 | one-time |
| Buy 50 tokens | $22.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade all songs | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Excellent sound quality
- 🎸 Real musicians' performance
- 👍 Great value for money
- 🚀 Flexible tempo and key changes
- 🎵 Inspiring for practice

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Clunky UI
- 😵 Fiddly tempo adjustment
- 🎚️ Limited mixer options
- 🎛️ No individual instrument volume control
- 🎚️ Sound quality degradation with tempo/key changes

**Reported bugs**

- Playlists disappear
- Playlists replaced by old ones
- Looping parts not saved
- Edits wiped out
- Cannot put song into desired key

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Tap tempo button
- Ability to create own charts
- Export to WAV and MP3
- Export chord chart in different ways


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StaffPad free?

StaffPad costs $49.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Quartet 1 free?

Quartet 1 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, StaffPad or Quartet 1?

Quartet 1 is rated higher. StaffPad averages 4.0 out of 5 from 563 ratings, while Quartet 1 averages 4.7 from 155 ratings.

### Do StaffPad or Quartet 1 have ads?

Neither StaffPad nor Quartet 1 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StaffPad or Quartet 1?

StaffPad ships an update every 2 weeks, and Quartet 1 every 2 months. Most recently, StaffPad was updated on October 17, 2026 and Quartet 1 on October 17, 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.*