Comparison

Reflow vs TabStudio

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

Head to head
About

Reflow

Create, edit, and share musical scores and guitar tablature. Supports multiple instruments, realistic playback, and import/export of various file formats. Ideal for songwriters and musicians looking to compose and practice.

Highlights
  • Tablature and notation editor
  • Import Guitar Pro and MIDI files
  • Realistic instrument playback
  • Instant web sharing
  • Multi-track scores
  • Chord diagrams
  • Edit while playing
Features
Read full description

Reflow is a tablature and notation editor for guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals. Write tabs, compose songs, import Guitar Pro and MIDI files, and hear everything played back with realistic instruments. Trusted by thousands of musicians for over a decade. Instant Web Share - Share any score as a web link — one tap, no account needed - Recipients get a full interactive player with audio playback and cursor tracking - Speed control and loop markers in the web player - Links expire after 7 days Import Your Files - Open Guitar Pro 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 files (.gp, .gp5) - Import Standard MIDI files with track mapping and quantization controls - Import MusicXML files - Access thousands of tabs shared online Tablature & Notation - Guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, and any stringed instrument - Bends, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, and all standard techniques - Lyrics with auto-advance — press Space or Hyphen to chain syllables across beats - Standard notation stays in sync above the tab staff - Custom tuning support Virtual Instruments - Interactive piano keyboard — tap to enter or preview notes - Interactive fretboard — see note names, tap to enter notes - Scale overlay — display any scale on the keyboard or fretboard Drum Notation - Full drum kit mapping on a standard percussion staff - Custom drum mapping editor — assign any MIDI note to any staff position - Enter beats with keyboard shortcuts, numeric keypad, or tap input Chord Diagrams - Built-in library with 89 chord types and voicings - Add diagrams above any beat - Chord names display automatically Multi-Track Scores - Combine guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals in one score - Solo, mute, and adjust volume and pan per track - Realistic instrument sounds across 128 instruments - Rack view with per-track controls and custom track colors Edit While It Plays - Edit your score during playback — hear changes in real time - Add notes, adjust dynamics, switch instruments without stopping Audio & Practice - High-quality instrument sounds with instant playback - Loop / A-B repeat — drag markers to loop any section - Adjustable playback speed from 0.25x to 2x - Metronome, precount, and playback tracking - MIDI input from external controllers View Modes - Continuous vertical scroll — modern reading experience - Page view with Fit Page Width - Free zoom and horizontal scroll Export & Share - Instant Web Share — temporary web link with interactive player - Export to MusicXML, GP5, GP7, MIDI, WAV, M4A, and PDF - Open your scores in Dorico, Sibelius, MuseScore, or Finale - Print your scores directly - Bundled sample songs to explore and learn from Keyboard Shortcuts - Full keyboard support on Mac and iPad with hardware keyboard - Works on all keyboard layouts — AZERTY, QWERTZ, and more Privacy First - All data stored locally on your device - iCloud backup and sync - No account, no login, no tracking - Works fully offline One-Time Purchase - Free to try — all features available in evaluation mode - Evaluation watermark and 10-measure export limit - Purchase once to remove the watermark and unlock full exports Download Reflow and start creating music today.

About

TabStudio

Features
Read full description

TabStudio is a tablature composition app for guitar and bass. Create scores with a native fretboard, chord input, technique palette, song structure tools, and a track mixer. View standard notation and tablature together, edit notes, chords, repeats, tempo, and guitar techniques, then play your score back as you work. Key Features - Create guitar and bass tablature - View staff notation with tab, tab only, or staff only - Enter notes with a fretboard-based input panel - Add chord names and chord positions - Apply guitar techniques such as bends, vibrato, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, palm mute, harmonics, and more - Edit bars, time signatures, repeats, section markers, and song structure - Manage guitar and bass tracks - Adjust tuning, capo, playback tone, volume, mute, and solo - Save native .tabs documents - Store projects on iCloud Drive or on your device - Import GP-family files and AlphaTex - Export to GP 7-8, AlphaTex, and PDF Use TabStudio to capture riffs, write practice scores, prepare band parts, or organize musical ideas from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Note: Import and export results may vary depending on the structure of the original score file and the supported compatibility range.

Screenshots

Reflow4 screens
TabStudio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TabStudio at none against Reflow's 2. TabStudio also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 weeks). Reflow's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.5). On price, ads and device support 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

Both are free to download. Reflow sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per year. TabStudio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reflow ships an update every 2 weeks, TabStudio every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Reflow versus TabStudio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReflowTabStudio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (33 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings33 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB149 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGargantJOOYOUNG MAENG

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Reflow

Subscriptions1
  • Reflow Premium7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Reflow — Full Version$14.99
None

TabStudio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reflow free?
Reflow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TabStudio free?
TabStudio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reflow or TabStudio have ads?
Neither Reflow nor TabStudio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reflow or TabStudio?
Reflow ships an update every 2 weeks, and TabStudio every 8 days. Most recently, Reflow was updated on October 21, 2026 and TabStudio on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons