# Flashnote Derby vs StaffWars

The clearest difference is rating: StaffWars at 4.3 against Flashnote Derby's 3.8. StaffWars also leads on price ($1.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Flashnote Derby costs $4.99 and StaffWars $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

StaffWars holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 105 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Flashnote Derby's written reviews are positive against 74% of StaffWars's.

Flashnote Derby ships an update every 6 months, StaffWars every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flashnote Derby | StaffWars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [3.8 (105 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashnote-derby/id453126527/reviews) | **[4.3 (132 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars/id810405576/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 105 | **132** |
| Positive reviews | 70.7% of reviews | **74.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #31 | **#14** |
| Size | 110 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Luke Bartolomeo](https://appshunter.io/developer/453126530) | [TMI Media, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/810405579) |

## What reviewers say

### Flashnote Derby

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashnote-derby/id453126527)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app transforms music note learning into an engaging game for young musicians. It offers various ways to practice and play, with customizable drills to suit any student's level. Track progress and make learning fun, whether at home or in lessons.

**Highlights:** Gamified note recognition races, Practice mode with no timer, Play notes on instrument or MIDI, On-screen piano keyboard input, Customizable clefs and note ranges, Multiple engaging themes, Teacher tools for assignments and progress tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging gamified learning experience with racing themes
- 🎵 Effective tool for learning note reading and music literacy
- 🎨 Customizable themes and visual designs
- ⚙️ Highly customizable settings for notes, speed, and difficulty
- 👨‍🏫 Teacher-friendly features with student tracking and presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app freezing issues
- 🔊 Harsh negative feedback sounds (booing) discourages learners
- 🎵 Inaccurate note detection, especially for E note and lower instruments
- 📱 Poor mobile responsiveness and slider controls on phones
- ⚠️ Data loss after updates without warning

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during use
- White screen on startup that auto-closes
- Note recognition fails, particularly for E note
- Low instrument octave recognition issues
- Data and student names lost after updates

**Requested features**

- Restore previous speed options (Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop)
- Option to customize number of test notes (return 10/20 options)
- Remove or tone down negative feedback sounds
- Add more theme options (animals, seasonal themes)
- Untimed mode without racing element


### StaffWars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffwars/id810405576)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

Master musical clefs with this interactive game. Practice note names on the grand staff, treble, alto, and bass clefs. Ideal for musicians of all levels looking to improve their sight-reading skills.

**Highlights:** Learn note names on grand staff, Practice treble clef, Master alto clef, Woodshed bass clef, Interactive musical game

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Highly effective for learning note reading
- 👨‍🏫 Excellent tool for music teachers and students
- 🎮 Engaging and addictive gameplay mechanics
- ⚡ Increasing difficulty keeps users motivated
- 🎼 Supports multiple clefs (treble, alto, bass, tenor)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Double-click detection issues causing missed points
- ⚠️ Game pace too fast for beginners
- 🎯 Unresponsive tap detection at times
- ❌ Note location accuracy problems reported
- 😤 Frustrating difficulty curve for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Double-click registration causing unintended note selections
- Incorrect note location detection preventing proper learning
- App fails to close properly on iPhone X
- Unresponsive touch input
- Occasional app crashes reported

**Requested features**

- Extended note range for ledger lines (especially for cello and violin)
- Piano keyboard interface instead of letter buttons
- Microphone/instrument input feature for actual note playing
- Note names displayed in note heads
- Slow mode option for beginners


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flashnote Derby free?

Flashnote Derby costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StaffWars free?

StaffWars costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Flashnote Derby or StaffWars?

StaffWars is rated higher. Flashnote Derby averages 3.8 out of 5 from 105 ratings, while StaffWars averages 4.3 from 132 ratings.

### Do Flashnote Derby or StaffWars have ads?

Neither Flashnote Derby nor StaffWars shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flashnote Derby or StaffWars?

Flashnote Derby ships an update every 6 months, and StaffWars every 4 months. Most recently, Flashnote Derby was updated on September 23, 2026 and StaffWars on September 21, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Flashnote Derby or StaffWars?

Flashnote Derby currently peaks at #31 in the App Store charts, and StaffWars at #14. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*