Comparison

Notey vs Notaforte

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

Head to head
About

Notey

This app transforms guitar learning into an engaging game where your instrument acts as the controller. It offers a fun, structured path for beginners, especially children, to learn real songs and skills through interactive gameplay.

Highlights
  • Guitar as controller
  • Learn real songs
  • Structured learning path
  • Progress tracking for parents
  • Interactive gameplay
  • Designed for kids
Features
Read full description

Most kids quit guitar when practice starts to feel like work. Notey is different. Your guitar is the controller, and the game only works when you play it. Kids aren't doing lessons with game elements. They're playing a game that teaches them music. Created by Grammy-winning musicians. Designed to be fun first, educational always. WHY IT WORKS —————————————— >>> REAL GAMEPLAY Not just gamified lessons. Designed to be fun on its own. >>> REAL SONGS. REAL PROGRESS. Start simple and build toward songs kids recognize and feel proud to play. >>> GUIDED WINS, NOT GUESSWORK A clear path means kids always know what to do next. HOW IT WORKS —————————————— - Place your device in front of you and start playing - Your guitar is the controller — Notey listens in real time and responds as you play - Short sessions. Real progress. BUILT FOR FAMILIES —————————————— Created specifically for kids learning guitar at home. - Structured learning path - Progress parents can see and hear - No lesson planning required - While designed for kids, beginner learners of any age are welcome. WHAT YOU NEED —————————————— - iPhone or iPad - Acoustic, electric, or classical guitar CONTACT US —————————————— - Questions or feedback? Email us at marketing@notey.co - Support: support@notey.co - Privacy Policy: https://notey.co/privacy - Terms of Service: https://notey.co/terms

About

Notaforte

This app helps you learn to read music notes quickly and easily through an intuitive and fun experience. It uses a unique visual approach and interactive exercises to build your sight-reading skills, making music reading second nature.

Highlights
  • Illustrated, animated lessons
  • Visual training methods
  • Gradual acquisition of reading reflexes
  • 100+ chapters covering main clefs
  • 6 unlimited training modes
  • Customizable exercise sessions
  • Instant feedback
Read full description

Learn to read notes quickly and easily with Notaforte, the app that turns music reading into an intuitive and fun experience. Whether you’re a complete beginner, looking to strengthen your note reading skills, or returning to your instrument after a break, Notaforte guides you step by step until sight-reading becomes second nature. Enjoy a unique method that combines an innovative visual approach with varied interactive exercises, for motivating and effective learning. FINALLY UNDERSTAND & MASTER MUSIC READING - Illustrated, animated lessons that clearly explain essential concepts - Visual training methods based on landmark notes and intervals for intuitive and lasting assimilation - Develop a natural spatial memory of the staff BUILD YOUR SIGHT-READING SKILLS - Gradual acquisition of automatic reading reflexes - Cognitive strategies for quick note identification - Mnemonics, recurring patterns, and deductive logic - Smooth navigation on the staff thanks to anchor points STRUCTURED PRACTICE - 100+ chapters covering the main clefs: Treble, Bass, Treble & Bass combined, C clefs - 6 unlimited training modes for varied and stimulating practice - 13 high-quality instrument sounds to refine your ear - Distraction-free, safe environment: no ads, no interruptions — ideal for all ages, including family use PERSONALIZED LEARNING - Customizable exercise sessions - Adjustable settings to fit your goals - Instant feedback to correct and improve your performance - Play on the app’s virtual keyboards, use your own instrument, or sing - Learn with your preferred note system: A B C or Do Re Mi - Suitable for all musicians: pianists, singers, violinists, flutists… and more! Like learning a new language, Notaforte guides you step by step towards fluent, natural, and instant music reading. This proven approach combines spatial awareness, visual memory, and interactive practice with immersive sound for lasting results. Notaforte is the ideal app to master reading music notes and to sight-read your sheet music with ease, no matter your level or instrument. Download now and discover the joy of learning to read music! Perfect for: - Beginners wanting to understand the basics of note reading - Musicians aiming to improve their music reading and sight-reading - Students seeking a complement to their lessons - Teachers looking for new educational tools Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Notey4 screens
Notaforte4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Notaforte at 4.9 against Notey's 4.4. Notey's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

Both are free to download. Notey sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Notaforte sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Notaforte holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 233 and 466 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Notey's written reviews are positive against 88% of Notaforte's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notey ships an update fortnightly, Notaforte every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Notey versus Notaforte: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoteyNotaforte
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (233 ratings)4.9 (466 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.0% of reviews87.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings233466 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.2 GB109 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNotey Inc.Bravenbird

Customer experience

Notey

All ratings233 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral5.2%
Negative10.7%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive85.0%
Neutral2.5%
Negative12.5%

Notaforte

All ratings466 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.9%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive87.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.2%

Bugs and requests

Notey

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Levels freezing with mic setting screen open
  • Challenges not starting properly after restarting
  • Informational prompts disappearing too quickly

Requested features

5 requests
  • More song/level variety
  • Customizable curriculum and progress tracking
  • Expanded support for different instruments
  • Offline mode or downloadable content
  • Improved performance and stability

Notaforte

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Notey

Subscriptions8
  • Notey's World Weekly3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • One Free Month Subscription1 Month trial$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Six Month HalfOff Subscription6 Months trial$44.996 Months
  • One Year Half Off Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Six Month Subscription$69.996 Months
  • Yearly Subscription$99.991 Year
  • Notey's World Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time4
  • Beatcoin 500$4.99
  • Beatcoin 1000$8.99
  • Beatcoin 2000$14.99
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime Access$139.99
3 purchases

Notaforte

Subscriptions2
  • 3-Month Subscription$17.993 Months
  • 12-Month Subscription$35.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$74.99

Questions

Is Notey free?
Notey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notaforte free?
Notaforte is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Notey or Notaforte?
Notaforte is rated higher. Notey averages 4.4 out of 5 from 233 ratings, while Notaforte averages 4.9 from 466 ratings.
Do Notey or Notaforte have ads?
Neither Notey nor Notaforte shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Notey or Notaforte?
Notey ships an update fortnightly, and Notaforte every 5 weeks. Most recently, Notey was updated on September 29, 2026 and Notaforte on September 30, 2026.

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