Comparison

Symphony Pro vs Onyx

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

Head to head
About

Symphony Pro

Compose music notation on your iPad with intuitive handwriting recognition or traditional input methods. Create scores for various ensembles, import and export in multiple formats, and utilize a wide range of notational elements. Enjoy built-in instruments for playback and auditioning.

Highlights
  • Handwriting recognition for Apple Pencil and touch
  • Compose for various ensembles
  • Import/export MusicXML, MIDI, and more
  • On-screen instrument input
  • Real-time recording and transcription
  • Wide range of notational elements
  • Print via AirPrint
Features
Read full description

Symphony Pro 6 is a complete and intuitive app for writing music notation on iPad. It allows you to compose music for just about any size ensemble, from piano, symphonies, band, lead sheets, chord charts, guitar tabs, and more. Starting Version 5, Symphony Pro now offers handwriting recognition as the only in-app purchase: Perfect with Apple Pencil, and works great with touch or capacitive stylus GETTING STARTED SP provides all of the key options to begin your work. Import a score via MusicXML, MXL, MIDI, or SP file from your computer, or from apps like Dropbox, Mail, iCloud Drive, or Safari. You can base your project on a template, or start a blank score and add additional parts later. EDITING To add notes, choose Pencil mode, and tap anywhere on a bar to begin editing right away. You can quickly specify note properties before or after placing notes. By switching to Select mode with one touch, you can also transpose, erase, cut, and paste multiple notes/tracks. With an on-screen instrument, a QWERTY keyboard, or Core MIDI compatible keyboard, you can quickly enter notes & chords in step entry mode. Record a part in real-time with on-screen instruments to transcribe into notation. Versions 4 & 5 take greater advantage of the iPad touchscreen. With shortcuts and contextual menus to edit note & bar properties, many of the commonly used editing commands are right at your fingertips. SP supports a wide range of notational elements for your composition. Including dynamics & articulations, time & key signature changes, clef changes, pedals, and repeat conventions. Edit chord symbols, lyrics, and annotations using the iPad’s standard keyboard. EXPORT & SHARE When you’re finished, print out your score with AirPrint, or export it as a PDF, MusicXML, AAC, MIDI, or Symphony file. Share files via email or directly to another computer or iPad via Dropbox/iCloud Drive. KEY FEATURES • Introducing Handwriting Recognition for Apple Pencil & touch • Starting Version 5, Handwriting is the only In-App Purchase to enable the complete app • Now download SP on your iPhone • 24+ professionally recorded and sound-designed acoustic instruments, free out of the box Earlier features offered free, to existing & new owners • 114 built-in instruments for playback, and auditioning the notes you entered • Create in standard music notation or tablature • Edit with an on-screen piano, QWERTY keyboard, or a MIDI input device • Dozens of shortcuts & gestures to edit & navigate • Reduce your score size, range, or combination of parts for viewing & editing* • Print directly to AirPrint • Up to 48 instruments, 100 staves, 4 voices/layers per score • Record a part in real-time with clicks at the beat with optional emphasis • Backup & sync your scores with iCloud* • Import MusicXML, MIDI, MXL, or Symphony files • Export as a PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, AAC, or Symphony file • Large selection of articulations & dynamics • Multi-measure rests, including automatic rests • Grace notes • Customizable noteheads & note colors • Chord symbol, lyric, and annotation tools • Edit the properties of multiple notes and rests simultaneously by multi-note select • Copy/Paste function supports partial & multi-bar/staff select • Unlimited undo/redo • Customizable stem directions & note beaming • Transposing & concert pitch score option • Change tempo or clef anywhere in score or bar • Stream audio or share your screen wirelessly with AirPlay • Advanced document management • Create your own custom project template or use a built-in one • Customizable part groupings for SATB and instrument families • Customizable chord symbol, lyric, and annotation font • Loop playback feature • Auto-save support * Previously paid, but now free upgrade in Version 5 For More information, please visit: • http://www.symphonypro.net • http://forums.symphonypro.net • Facebook page at www.facebook.com/symphonyapp • Learn about the iPhone-only app: bit.ly/symphonyiphone

About

Onyx

This app provides a versatile pitch pipe with a three-octave range and multiple sound options, including piano, clarinet, strings, horns, and a custom sine wave generator. It offers continuous playback and fine-tuning capabilities for accurate tuning.

Highlights
  • Three-octave range
  • Multiple sound options (piano, clarinet, strings, horns)
  • Custom sine wave generator
  • Continuous playback mode
  • Adjustable tuning frequency
  • Interactive widget and watch app support
Features
Read full description

Start off on the right note every time with Onyx. This beautiful pitch pipe sports a three-octave range in C-C or F-F, with your choice of carefully crafted sounds: choose piano or clarinet to hear your note for several seconds, or switch to continuous playback mode* to loop strings or horns for as long as you like. Or, for pinpoint accuracy, use our custom sine wave generator instead and avoid those annoying loud pops that other apps can create. On iOS, all sounds can be tuned to your preferred frequency (due to technical limitations fine tuning is only available when using the Tone sound option on Apple Watch). Use the interactive widget and the watch app for instant access from just about anywhere. Onyx even works when your device is in silent mode, so you don't have to worry about embarrassing interruptions. That's our pitch, now find yours! * Continuous playback mode is currently only supported within the app and cannot be used with the Today View widget or on Apple Watch.

Screenshots

Symphony Pro4 screens
Onyx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Onyx at $0.99 against Symphony Pro's $14.99. Onyx also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.2 vs 3.8). Symphony Pro's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (474 vs 70). On review sentiment 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

Symphony Pro costs $14.99 and Onyx $0.99 up front. Symphony Pro sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Onyx asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Onyx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symphony Pro has 474 ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Symphony Pro's written reviews are positive against 62% of Onyx's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Symphony Pro ships an update every 4 weeks, Onyx every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Symphony Pro versus Onyx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSymphony ProOnyx
Price$14.99$0.99 — better
Rating3.8 (474 ratings)4.2 (70 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews62.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings474 — better70
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS13.5 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size365 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXenon Labs, LLCforScore LLC

Customer experience

Symphony Pro

All ratings469 ratings
Positive70.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews476 reviews
Positive55.9%
Neutral16.4%
Negative27.7%

Onyx

All ratings70 ratings
Positive82.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive62.1%
Neutral10.3%
Negative27.6%

Bugs and requests

Symphony Pro

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Project menu disappears unexpectedly
  • Ties and tuplets not working correctly
  • Inconsistent behavior when zooming and panning
  • Instruments not transposing properly
  • Frequent crashes when editing complex scores

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add guitar metronome
  • Improve text and lyrics handling
  • Allow more customization of page layout
  • Implement better transposition and chord features
  • Provide more orchestral percussion instruments

Onyx

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Symphony Pro

One-time2
  • Version 4: Complete Features BundleFree
  • Handwriting Recognition Tool$9.99
None

Onyx

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Symphony Pro free?
Symphony Pro costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Onyx free?
Onyx costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Symphony Pro or Onyx?
Onyx is rated higher. Symphony Pro averages 3.8 out of 5 from 474 ratings, while Onyx averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.
Do Symphony Pro or Onyx have ads?
Neither Symphony Pro nor Onyx shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Symphony Pro or Onyx?
Symphony Pro ships an update every 4 weeks, and Onyx every 5 months. Most recently, Symphony Pro was updated on November 1, 2026 and Onyx on November 1, 2026.

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