# iWriteMusic SE vs NotateMe Now

The clearest difference is rating: iWriteMusic SE at 4.4 against NotateMe Now's 2.2. iWriteMusic SE also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 31%) and ratings volume (148 vs 26). NotateMe Now's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). 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 26, 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 31% of NotateMe Now's.

iWriteMusic SE ships an update every 5 weeks, NotateMe Now every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iWriteMusic SE | NotateMe Now |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (148 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iwritemusic-se/id393614358/reviews)** | [2.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notateme-now/id783567215/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **148** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **56.8% of reviews** | 30.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 19 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **6.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iWriteMusicProject](https://appshunter.io/developer/393551666) | [Neuratron Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/699470142) |

## 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


### NotateMe Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notateme-now/id783567215)

Compose music notation on your device using handwriting recognition or by photographing printed sheet music. Instantly play back, edit, and export your creations as MusicXML or MIDI files. Ideal for learning, teaching, or creating music on the go.

**Highlights:** Handwriting music notation, PhotoScore Now printed score capture, Instant playback and editing, MusicXML and MIDI export, Recognizes wide range of notation symbols, Automatic barlines, clefs, and time signatures

**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 NotateMe Now free?

NotateMe Now is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iWriteMusic SE or NotateMe Now?

iWriteMusic SE is rated higher. iWriteMusic SE averages 4.4 out of 5 from 148 ratings, while NotateMe Now averages 2.2 from 26 ratings.

### Do iWriteMusic SE or NotateMe Now have ads?

Neither iWriteMusic SE nor NotateMe Now shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iWriteMusic SE or NotateMe Now?

iWriteMusic SE ships an update every 5 weeks, and NotateMe Now every 2 weeks. Most recently, iWriteMusic SE was updated on October 19, 2026 and NotateMe Now on October 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.*