# Music Reading Essentials vs Music Theory Notes

The clearest difference is monetization model: Music Reading Essentials at free against Music Theory Notes's paid. Music Reading Essentials also leads on ratings volume (11 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Music Theory Notes's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Music Reading Essentials costs $2.99 and Music Theory Notes $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Music Theory Notes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Music Reading Essentials has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Music Reading Essentials ships an update every 20 months, Music Theory Notes every 36 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Music Reading Essentials | Music Theory Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/music-reading-essentials/id501483486/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/music-theory-notes/id1017426555/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **11** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 63.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 20 months** | Every 36 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 122 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Notagram, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1198431817) | [Patrick Q. Kelly](https://appshunter.io/developer/310068987) |

## What reviewers say

### Music Reading Essentials

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/music-reading-essentials/id501483486)

This app aids in learning and practicing sheet music reading, covering musical signs, symbols, note names, rhythms, and intervals. It features flashcards divided into stages with a smart shuffling algorithm to reinforce learning, and offers clef selection and timer modes for comprehensive practice.

**Highlights:** Sheet music reading practice, Musical signs and symbols, Note names and rhythms, Intervals learning, Flashcards with stages, Clef selection (Treble, Bass, Alto), Timer mode

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Music Theory Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/music-theory-notes/id1017426555)

Learn to recognize and notate musical pitches by sight or sound. Practice with various clefs and customizable note ranges. Includes a grade book to save and share quiz results.

**Highlights:** Pitch recognition by sight and sound, Piano keyboard and staff notation, Treble, Alto, Tenor, and Bass clefs, Ear training mode, Customizable note range, Printable grade book

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Music Reading Essentials free?

Music Reading Essentials costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Music Theory Notes free?

Music Theory Notes costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Music Reading Essentials or Music Theory Notes?

Music Theory Notes is rated higher. Music Reading Essentials averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Music Theory Notes averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Music Reading Essentials or Music Theory Notes have ads?

Neither Music Reading Essentials nor Music Theory Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Music Reading Essentials or Music Theory Notes?

Music Reading Essentials ships an update every 20 months, and Music Theory Notes every 36 months. Most recently, Music Reading Essentials was updated on October 23, 2026 and Music Theory Notes on October 27, 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.*