# TEFpad vs Staventabs

The clearest difference is price: Staventabs at Free against TEFpad's $5.99. Staventabs also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). TEFpad's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Staventabs is free to download; TEFpad costs $5.99 up front. TEFpad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Staventabs sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TEFpad holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 70 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 64% and 65% positive.

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, Staventabs every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TEFpad | Staventabs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.2 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tefpad/id517830471/reviews)** | [3.8 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staventabs-compose-and-notate/id947545539/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 46 | **70** |
| Positive reviews | 64.4% of reviews | **64.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [TablEdit](https://appshunter.io/developer/492060416) | [Ivan Korovin](https://appshunter.io/developer/937929054) |

## 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


### Staventabs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staventabs-compose-and-notate/id947545539)

Compose and edit musical scores and tablature with a user-friendly interface. Create new pieces from scratch or templates, input notes intuitively, and enhance your compositions with advanced editing tools. Practice your songs with playback and metronome features, and manage your projects seamlessly.

**Highlights:** Score and tablature editing, Intuitive note input, Virtual piano and fingerboard, Instrument previews, Playback and metronome, AI-powered scale suggestions, MIDI and MusicXML import/export

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advanced composing | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited projects | $10.99 | one-time |
| Additional instruments | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient music notation
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🎨 Customizable chord diagrams
- 💾 Supports multiple file formats
- 🎶 Realistic instrument sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 💰 Paywall for basic features
- 🔀 Inconsistent note/chord handling
- 🔍 Unclear documentation
- 🔊 Lagging playback

**Reported bugs**

- Imported MIDI files lose instrument assignments
- Disappearing projects after updates
- Inability to adjust note lengths in piano roll
- Metronome not audible over instrument playback

**Requested features**

- Add support for grace notes and ornaments
- Implement repeat/coda symbols
- Allow custom font and layout options
- Integrate MIDI input and output
- Improve chord recognition accuracy


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TEFpad free?

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

### Is Staventabs free?

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

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

TEFpad is rated higher. TEFpad averages 4.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Staventabs averages 3.8 from 70 ratings.

### Do TEFpad or Staventabs have ads?

Neither TEFpad nor Staventabs shows ads.

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

TEFpad ships an update every 5 months, and Staventabs every 3 weeks. Most recently, TEFpad was updated on September 23, 2026 and Staventabs on September 13, 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.*