# TEFpad vs TextMusic

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TextMusic at none against TEFpad's 1. TextMusic also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (73% vs 64%). TEFpad's advantage is ratings volume (46 vs 10) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

TEFpad costs $5.99 and TextMusic $4.99 up front. TEFpad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TextMusic asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for TEFpad against 4.1 for TextMusic. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 10 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of TEFpad's written reviews are positive against 73% of TextMusic's.

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, TextMusic every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TEFpad | TextMusic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | **[4.2 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471/reviews)** | [4.1 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textmusic/id1098621907/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **46** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 64.4% of reviews | **73.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 9 MB | 140 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TablEdit](https://appshunter.io/developer/492060416) | [Supertintin Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/345365970) |

## What reviewers say

### TEFpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471)

This app is a tablature editor for iOS devices that allows users to open, display, print, and play TablEdit files. It supports importing various music file formats and offers editing capabilities for creating new arrangements or modifying existing ones. Advanced features and unlimited saving are available through an in-app purchase.

**Highlights:** Import various music file formats, Create new tablature arrangements, Edit and save tablature files, Display tablature and standard notation, MIDI playback with real-time control, Export to PDF, ABC, MIDI, WAV, and Music XML

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TEFpad Pro | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive usability
- 🎵 Versatile for music notation
- 🎸 Excellent for tablature
- 📱 Mobile convenience
- 💡 Powerful features for price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Manual difficult to use
- 🖱️ Clunky interface
- 🐞 Buggy performance
- 💸 Expensive Pro version
- 📚 Incomplete help files

**Reported bugs**

- Rating pop-ups ignore iOS settings
- Pro version disappeared after purchase
- App crashes when printing
- Audio quits playing
- Adding pull-offs creates ties across bars

**Requested features**

- Search function for manual
- Support for Apple Magic Keyboard
- Simultaneous input of text, chords, and TAB numbers
- Ability to change instrument display on sidebar
- Ability to make font larger


### TextMusic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textmusic/id1098621907)

Create musical scores using text-based notation. This app offers a rational keyboard for quick input, supports complex musical elements, and includes 90 instrument sounds. Export your compositions in various formats like MIDI, PNG, and PDF.

**Highlights:** Text-based musical notation, 90 built-in instrument sounds, Support for complex musical elements, Export to MIDI, PNG, PDF, TXT, M4A, Rational keyboard for quick input, Playback and loop functionality

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TEFpad free?

TEFpad costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is TextMusic free?

TextMusic costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TEFpad or TextMusic?

TEFpad is rated higher. TEFpad averages 4.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while TextMusic averages 4.1 from 10 ratings.

### Do TEFpad or TextMusic have ads?

Neither TEFpad nor TextMusic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TEFpad or TextMusic?

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, and TextMusic every 2 weeks. Most recently, TEFpad was updated on October 15, 2026 and TextMusic on October 16, 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.*