Comparison

StaffPad vs Pianoteq 9

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

Head to head
About

StaffPad

Compose music effortlessly with advanced notation and audio features. Transform handwritten notes into typeset scores, record audio directly onto your music, and convert piano playing into notation using on-device machine learning. Seamlessly integrate audio, video, and world-class sample libraries for a powerful and intuitive composition experience.

Highlights
  • Handwritten music notation with Apple Pencil
  • Convert handwriting to typeset notation
  • Record and edit audio directly on score
  • Piano and MIDI capture to notation
  • High-quality playback with 55+ instruments
  • Import/export MusicXML, MIDI, WAV, MP3
  • ScoreSync for real-time sharing
Features
Read full description

MADE FOR COMPOSERS ------------------------- StaffPad is designed for composers who want to write music effortlessly, using music notation and audio. Write your music using Apple Pencil, and the app will transform your writing into beautifully typeset notation that can be edited, played back, printed and shared. Record or import audio directly onto your score and edit it intuitively with Apple Pencil. Magically convert your real piano playing or existing recordings into notation using advanced on-device machine learning. Add video, smart symbols and use world leading sample libraries and mix your score with a suite of studio effects. From basic idea to a full film score; StaffPad is the easiest, most powerful and most intuitive way to compose music on iPad. WRITE NATURALLY ------------------- Write your score with the fluidity of natural handwriting. Use touch and Apple Pencil to quickly edit your notation. Transpose, repeat and structure your score with intuitive gestures and tools. Customise the tempo with a unique tempo staff (or import a tempo map from a MIDI file), add chords either manually or automatically with the chord staff. You can even copy music written in StaffPad into other apps, simply using the normal copy and paste functions. HEAR YOUR MASTERPIECE ---------------------------- With a groundbreaking playback engine and over 55 included instruments, StaffPad is ready to perform your written piece instantly. Add industry-standard sample libraries, adapted and customised for StaffPad, from some of the world's leading sample developers. This is a leap forward for composers working at the highest levels. SHARE WITH SCORESYNC --------------------------- Once you're ready to perform or record your work, tap the ScoreSync button in StaffPad and your score is instantly shared across a Wi-Fi network to any device running the free StaffPad Reader app (available in the App Store). The Readers present each individual musical part beautifully formatted, update in realtime with any changes you make to your score, handle automatic page turns, and play back in perfect time with a synchronised metronome, for capturing the perfect recording every time. IMPORT AND EXPORT --------------------------- StaffPad imports and exports MusicXML and MIDI files for easily working with other music apps. You can also export your playback as WAV, AAC or MP3. You can import audio files into your score, with support for most major audio formats. WORK WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO -------------------------------- For the first time, you can seamlessly mix audio with your notated score. Record directly onto the score canvas using your device's in-built microphones, or import loops, Tempo map freeform/rubato performances using the tempo staff. Add shine to your production with a suite of studio quality DSP effects, and polish with precise automation. PIANO AND MIDI CAPTURE --------------------------- Record your real piano and convert it into notation. Don't have a real piano? Don't worry - you can connect a USB or Bluetooth MIDI keyboard and record your performance in realtime, converting to notation as you play. PRINT / PDF ------------ As well as digital parts via ScoreSync, StaffPad will automatically format and print parts or export PDFs for you. Customise the paper size, bar number styles, number of bars per line, scaling, margins, multi-bar consolidation and more. StaffPad automatically formats the score for consistent presentation.

About

Pianoteq 9

This virtual instrument app uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, and more. It offers compact file sizes and is trusted by renowned instrument makers. Unlock full instrument access with a license.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound generation
  • Realistic playability
  • Compact file size
  • Wide range of instruments
  • Plugin support for DAWs
  • New Syngular synthesizer
Features
Read full description

PIANOTEQ 9: THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT Pianoteq is an award-winning virtual instrument that simulates a wide range of instruments including pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitars, steel drums, and more, using advanced physical modeling. Unlike traditional virtual instruments that use recorded sounds, Pianoteq generates sounds in real-time by calculating the physics of how strings vibrate and how the soundboard radiates sound. Why Pianoteq Stands Out: - Natural Playability: Physical modeling captures many of the subtle interactions and dynamic nuances found in acoustic instruments, providing a responsive playing experience. - Compact Size: Without relying on large sample libraries, Pianoteq requires only a fraction of the storage space of many virtual instruments, making it ideal for iPhone and iPad. Trusted by the Best: Steinway, Kawai, Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Petrof, Steingraeber, Grotrian, Blüthner, and Hohner have all endorsed Pianoteq for its faithful sound reproduction. Getting Started: - Connect a MIDI device to your iPad/iPhone. - Launch Pianoteq. - Start playing! Pianoteq also works as a plugin in any Audio Unit host application, such as GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Camelot, and more. Note: All instruments run in demo mode (with some keys disabled) until you purchase a Pianoteq STAGE license (unlocks two instruments) or link to an existing Pianoteq user account with a valid license. Licenses purchased on the App Store are valid across other supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux). Already own Pianoteq 8? Upgrade to Pianoteq 9 at an attractive upgrade price and unlock a new level of realism and expression. Simply launch Pianoteq 9, click “Restore Purchases”, and follow the instructions. Here’s what’s new in Pianoteq 9: - Richer tone and enhanced spatial depth: all modern and historical grands have been thoroughly revoiced. - A beautiful new Italian Triple Harp joins the Harp pack. - Electric pianos (MKII, Reeds) have been updated. - Expressive new “Sombre” presets for cinematic playing. - A refined, more intuitive mixer panel. - Portrait orientation and windowed mode now supported. - A new instrument: the Syngular synthesiser. Experience your instruments like never before, more vivid, expressive, and alive.

Screenshots

Pianoteq 94 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pianoteq 9 at Free against StaffPad's $49.99. Pianoteq 9 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (68% vs 40%). StaffPad's advantage is ratings volume (648 vs 62). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Pianoteq 9 is free to download; StaffPad costs $49.99 up front. StaffPad sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Pianoteq 9 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pianoteq 9 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StaffPad has 648 ratings behind it against 62, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of StaffPad's written reviews are positive against 68% of Pianoteq 9's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StaffPad ships an update fortnightly, Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
StaffPad versus Pianoteq 9: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStaffPadPianoteq 9
Price$49.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (648 ratings)4.9 (62 ratings) — better
Positive reviews39.8% of reviews68.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings648 — better62
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.0 GB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStaffPad Ltd.Modartt

Customer experience

StaffPad

All ratings648 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral5.1%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews533 reviews
Positive39.8%
Neutral12.0%
Negative48.2%

Pianoteq 9

All ratings61 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral3.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral15.8%
Negative15.8%

Bugs and requests

StaffPad

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

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

Pianoteq 9

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

StaffPad

One-time10
  • StaffPad Essential GuitarsFree
  • Retro KeyboardsFree
  • Muse StringsFree
Show 7 more
  • Muse ChoirFree
  • Muse WoodwindsFree
  • Muse PercussionFree
  • Muse BrassFree
  • Muse HarpFree
  • Muse KeysFree
  • Muse Guitars Vol. 1Free
10 purchases

Pianoteq 9

One-time10
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.00
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
Show 7 more
  • Grand Bösendorfer 280VC$49.99
  • Electric Pianos$49.99
  • Hohner Collection$49.99
  • Upright U4$49.99
  • Syngular$49.99
  • Stage to Standard$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is StaffPad free?
StaffPad costs $49.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pianoteq 9 free?
Pianoteq 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StaffPad or Pianoteq 9?
Pianoteq 9 is rated higher. StaffPad averages 4.0 out of 5 from 648 ratings, while Pianoteq 9 averages 4.9 from 62 ratings.
Do StaffPad or Pianoteq 9 have ads?
Neither StaffPad nor Pianoteq 9 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StaffPad or Pianoteq 9?
StaffPad ships an update fortnightly, and Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. Most recently, StaffPad was updated on November 6, 2026 and Pianoteq 9 on November 8, 2026.

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