# iWriteMusic SE vs capella score reader

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iWriteMusic SE at 57% against capella score reader's 0%. iWriteMusic SE also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 18 months). capella score reader's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

iWriteMusic SE holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iWriteMusic SE has 148 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of iWriteMusic SE's written reviews are positive against 0% of capella score reader's.

iWriteMusic SE ships an update every 2 months, capella score reader every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iWriteMusic SE | capella score reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (148 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iwritemusic-se/id393614358/reviews)** | [2.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/capella-score-reader/id1449570362/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **148** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **56.8% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 18 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 19 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iWriteMusicProject](https://appshunter.io/developer/393551666) | [capella-software AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449570361) |

## What reviewers say

### iWriteMusic SE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iwritemusic-se/id393614358)

Create professional-quality sheet music efficiently, even on small screens. This app offers intuitive interfaces and powerful tools for musicians of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Easily compose, edit, and share your musical ideas.

**Highlights:** Intuitive and simple user interface, Highly efficient input systems (One-Flick & Traditional), Professional quality sheet music creation, Supports major notation elements, Useful playback options for practice, Data and sheet music sharing (PDF, JPG, MIDI)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎼 Comprehensive notation tools and features
- 👍 Intuitive interface for music composition
- 🎵 Wide range of instruments available
- 💾 Easy saving and exporting to PDF
- 🎹 Playback functionality for reviewing compositions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 😤 Difficult and unintuitive note input
- 🔧 Poor user interface design
- 📖 Confusing and poorly organized help documentation
- ⚠️ Inaccurate instrument sound playback

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when adding rests at beginning of measure
- App crashes when adding/removing notation
- App freezes when entering notes on certain pitches
- App randomly quits during composition
- Note placement inaccuracy on iPhone with retina display

**Requested features**

- Auto-save functionality
- MusicXML file transfer support
- Guitar tablature (TAB) notation
- Ability to change time signature mid-composition
- Better grace note controls


### capella score reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/capella-score-reader/id1449570362)

This app allows musicians to read, listen to, and practice music scores on their mobile devices. It offers features like solo voice playback, voice muting, and tempo control for efficient practice and study.

**Highlights:** Read and listen to music scores, Practice individual parts, Mute specific voices, Extract single voices, Two-finger zoom for scores, One-finger page turning, Adjustable tempo control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iWriteMusic SE free?

iWriteMusic SE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is capella score reader free?

capella score reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iWriteMusic SE or capella score reader?

iWriteMusic SE is rated higher. iWriteMusic SE averages 4.4 out of 5 from 148 ratings, while capella score reader averages 2.2 from 5 ratings.

### Do iWriteMusic SE or capella score reader have ads?

Neither iWriteMusic SE nor capella score reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iWriteMusic SE or capella score reader?

iWriteMusic SE ships an update every 2 months, and capella score reader every 18 months. Most recently, iWriteMusic SE was updated on October 15, 2026 and capella score reader on October 1, 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.*