# What Note Is This? vs SAND

The clearest difference is price: SAND at Free against What Note Is This?'s $0.99. SAND also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.7) and review sentiment (79% vs 60%). What Note Is This?'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

SAND is free to download; What Note Is This? costs $0.99 up front. SAND sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. What Note Is This? asks for nothing beyond the download.

SAND holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAND has 86 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of What Note Is This?'s written reviews are positive against 79% of SAND's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | What Note Is This? | SAND |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-note-is-this/id456134975/reviews) | **[4.6 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **86** |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **79.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 11 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Okeedoke Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/456134978) | [Matteo Caldari](https://appshunter.io/developer/325826466) |

## What reviewers say

### What Note Is This?

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-note-is-this/id456134975)

This app helps users learn to read music notes through interactive practice and quizzes. It offers customizable modes, progress tracking with achievements, and is suitable for all ages. Learn notes on the go with a universal design.

**Highlights:** Practice mode with flashcards, 10-note quizzes, Customizable clef and difficulty, Achievement stickers, Universal design for all devices, Beginner mode for sharps and flats

**In-app purchases:** none


### SAND

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684)

This app is a grid-based music sequencer that allows users to create compositions using AUv3 plugins and external MIDI devices. It offers extensive tools for arranging clips, editing notes, automating parameters, and routing MIDI.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI sequencing, AUv3 plugin hosting, External MIDI device support, Advanced clip editing, Track and effect management, Song mode for arrangement, MIDI routing and mapping

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14-day trial | Free | one-time |
| 14 Days Trial | Free | one-time |
| Unlock | $9.99 | one-time |
| Audio Tracks | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great UI and features
- 💡 Potential for music creation
- 🚀 Fast and creative workflow
- 👍 Easy to use, no instructions needed
- 💡 Most usable studio on small screen

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Record function always starts
- 🐛 Sand not opening in overview
- 🐛 Integration with other apps seems off
- 🐛 Record does not pick up data
- 🐛 Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Reported bugs**

- Record function always starts when entering Midi Instrument or FX
- Sand not opening in overview
- Integration with other apps seems off
- Record does not pick up data
- Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Requested features**

- Sand always open in overview
- Long press in sequence track window
- Random/chance abilities in clips (Polyend Play style)
- Semi-generative function or scale-based patterns/sequences
- Save AUv3 presets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is What Note Is This? free?

What Note Is This? costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SAND free?

SAND is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, What Note Is This? or SAND?

SAND is rated higher. What Note Is This? averages 2.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SAND averages 4.6 from 86 ratings.

### Do What Note Is This? or SAND have ads?

Neither What Note Is This? nor SAND shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, What Note Is This? or SAND?

What Note Is This? ships an update every 2 months, and SAND every 2 months. Most recently, What Note Is This? was updated on October 5, 2026 and SAND on October 14, 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.*