Comparison

Notion vs SFX Library

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

Head to head
About

Notion

Create dynamic musical compositions using traditional notation or guitar tablature. This app offers an intuitive touch-based interface, realistic playback with orchestral samples, and cross-platform syncing. Share or export your creations in various formats.

Highlights
  • Traditional musical notation
  • Guitar tablature
  • Intuitive touch interface
  • Realistic audio playback
  • Cross-platform syncing
  • Multiple export formats
Features
Read full description

With over 15 years in the App Store, Notion is a free, award-winning music composition tool for iOS, iPadOS, macOS and more! You’ll effortlessly create dynamic compositions in traditional musical notation or guitar tablature with its intuitive touch-based interface and incredibly broad editing capabilities. With a user-friendly interface and simple interactive piano keyboard, fretboard, drum pad, and even optional Handwriting Recognition, Notion makes it easy to get started composing your music. You can also hear your music performed with the most realistic playback possible, using real audio samples recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. Notion is a native cross-platform app, meaning you can write anywhere on any device without requiring a constant Internet connection. And when you’re back online, you’ll be able to sync your work across multiple devices through your preferred cloud provider. Start your work on one device and finish it on another. Once you are happy with your creation you can share the Notion file, or export as MIDI, MusicXML, PDF or as an audio file. You can even optionally transmit scores across a network with other instances of Notion, or between Notion and the Fender Studio Pro DAW. Compose, edit, and play back your music performed with real piano and orchestral samples recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios — along with outstanding sampled guitar, bass, drums and other popular instruments. And when you’re ready for more sounds, you’ll find the extensive library of Notion Add-on Soundsets to purchase as part of the Feature Bundle. To save space, the initial app download contains just piano — you can then manage which of the bundled Soundsets to have on your device or keep in the cloud, just tap on Sound Installation. Notion has been featured in various Apple campaigns including the Apple YourVerse television commercials, and has won several awards including a prestigious music industry NAMM TEC Award for Best Smartphone/Tablet App. What you get: Notion includes unlimited staves, comprehensive editing features and core orchestral and rhythm section Soundsets — all for free. You can optionally register (also for free!) to unlock an additional Soundset (containing Solo Strings, Classical Saxophones and Glockenspiel), and the multivoice function that allows writing in up to 4 voices per staff. Then for the full experience, either sign in with your Fender Studio Pro+ membership or purchase the Notion Feature Bundle. This unlocks Handwriting Recognition, Layout Controls, all the Expansion Soundsets (including many auxiliary instruments and additional articulations and effects), additional audio export formats (m4a, OPUS, FLAC), and direct score transfer with Notion and Fender Studio Pro running on the same network. Free: Unlimited staves All editing features Core Soundsets Export as MusicXML, Compressed MusicXML, MIDI, PDF, wav, mp3 Welcome Pack (register for free): Soundset including Solo Strings, Glockenspiel, Classical Saxophones Additionally write for voices 3 and 4 in a single staff Feature Bundle (in-app purchase or sign in with Fender Studio Pro+): Handwriting Recognition, powered by MyScript Available on iPhone, iPad and macOS (macOS with supporting graphics tablet or using Sidecar with compatible iPad) Automatic pen vs. finger recognition to switch between handwriting and edit mode Pressure-sensitive support for Apple Pencil Adjustable timer for Handwriting Recognition Override handwriting timer by double tapping Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) Layout Control All Expansion Soundsets Additional audio export formats (m4a, OPUS, FLAC) Transmit scores across a network with other instances of Notion, or between Notion and Fender Studio Pro

About

SFX Library

Access a library of copyright-free sound effects instantly on your device. You can also upload your own audio files for quick playback and organization.

Highlights
  • Play copyright-free sound effects
  • Upload custom audio files
  • Organize audio library
  • Instant playback
  • Device-based access
Features
Read full description

The SFX Library app allows you to quickly play sound effects from a library of copyright-free audio directly on your device, or upload your own for easy access.

Screenshots

Notion4 screens
SFX Library4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Notion at Free against SFX Library's $0.99. SFX Library's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Notion is free to download; SFX Library costs $0.99 up front. Notion sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. SFX Library asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notion ships an update every 6 weeks, SFX Library every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Notion versus SFX Library: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNotionSFX Library
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating3.1 (71 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews42.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings71 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1515.0
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFender DigitalJonathan Stinson

Bugs and requests

Notion

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to change key signatures mid-piece
  • Incorrect transposition of notes and chords
  • Text formatting and positioning issues
  • Unreliable MIDI file import/export
  • Playback distortion and timing issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to customize note beaming and stem direction
  • Option to display note letter names
  • Improved handwriting recognition for complex rhythms
  • Folder organization for better file management
  • Keyboard shortcuts for power users

SFX Library

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Notion

One-time10
  • Classical guitar$0.99
  • Harp$0.99
  • Jazz Alto Sax$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Vibraphone$0.99
  • Marimba$0.99
  • Jazz Bass$0.99
  • Percussion Bundle$4.99
  • Handwriting$7.99
  • Feature Bundle$14.99
  • All Sounds Bundle$29.99
None

SFX Library

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Notion free?
Notion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SFX Library free?
SFX Library costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Notion or SFX Library have ads?
Neither Notion nor SFX Library shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Notion or SFX Library?
Notion ships an update every 6 weeks, and SFX Library every 5 weeks. Most recently, Notion was updated on October 29, 2026 and SFX Library on October 22, 2026.

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