# Drum Notation by Beat Note vs Simmons Drums 2

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Drum Notation by Beat Note at 83% against Simmons Drums 2's 30%. Drum Notation by Beat Note also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). Simmons Drums 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Drum Notation by Beat Note sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.69 per month. Simmons Drums 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Drum Notation by Beat Note holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 83 and 31 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Drum Notation by Beat Note's written reviews are positive against 30% of Simmons Drums 2's.

Drum Notation by Beat Note ships an update every 9 days, Simmons Drums 2 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drum Notation by Beat Note | Simmons Drums 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475/reviews)** | [3.1 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simmons-drums-2/id1626424275/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **83** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | **83.3% of reviews** | 30.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 87 MB | 249 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/945994325) | [Simmons Innovations Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1236886059) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Simmons Drums 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simmons-drums-2/id1626424275)

Control your Simmons electronic drum kit with an expanded interface. Adjust sounds, effects, and mix settings. Learn new beats with a play-along tool, metronome, and practice features.

**Highlights:** Expanded drum module settings display, Kit selection and sound/effect customization, Mix and trigger setting adjustments, Play-along tool with music library integration, Tempo control and looping for practice, Metronome, Titan-series Practice tool control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Drum Notation by Beat Note free?

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

### Is Simmons Drums 2 free?

Simmons Drums 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Drum Notation by Beat Note or Simmons Drums 2?

Drum Notation by Beat Note is rated higher. Drum Notation by Beat Note averages 4.7 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while Simmons Drums 2 averages 3.1 from 31 ratings.

### Do Drum Notation by Beat Note or Simmons Drums 2 have ads?

Neither Drum Notation by Beat Note nor Simmons Drums 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Drum Notation by Beat Note or Simmons Drums 2?

Drum Notation by Beat Note ships an update every 9 days, and Simmons Drums 2 every 2 months. Most recently, Drum Notation by Beat Note was updated on September 19, 2026 and Simmons Drums 2 on September 21, 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.*