Comparison

Jam Maestro Lite vs Guitar Notation

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

Head to head
About

Jam Maestro Lite

Compose music with a guitar and drum sequencer. Explore harmonies and note relationships with a unique interface. Share tab ideas instantly with others. This lite version has limitations but offers a glimpse into powerful music creation.

Highlights
  • Guitar and drum tab sequencing
  • Compose short musical ideas
  • Realistic instrument samples
  • Unique interface for harmony
  • Share tab ideas
Read full description

Jam Maestro is a powerful music composition tool for musicians interested in making guitar-centric music. In LITE version: Sequence 1x Guitar and 1x Drums in guitar tab/drum tab format, to a max of 4 bars. No save/open ability. In FULL version: Sequence up to 16 instruments together, including Guitar, Bass and Drums, and compose songs in guitar/drum tab format. Midi sequence and play background apps in your compositions using the Midi and Inter-App Audio instrument types. Easily construct harmonies and see the relationship between notes thanks to a unique interface. Instantly share tab ideas with friends and bandmates via Dropbox. Playback with highly realistic samples. Full version features: (NOTE: Not available in the Lite version) - 5 Instrument types: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Midi, Inter-App Audio. - Inter-App Audio Host and Node support. - Connect up to 4x Inter-App Audio Effects. - Effects: Reverb, Delay, EQ, Chorus, Flanger, Vibrato, Tremolo. - Full Midi In/Out compatibility - Midi Sequencing - Import Guitar Pro 3-5 files - Export/Import Midi files - Export tab to PDF/TXT file. - Create your own Drum Kits. - Audiobus 3.0 support, including State Saving - AudioCopy support. - Ableton Link VIDEOS: 
www.jammaestro.com 


---------
 This is the LITE Version of Jam Maestro, in which you get: • 1x Guitar, Drums • Standard Tuning • 4 bar limit on the guitar tab sequencer • No save/open ability plus a few other limitations. --------- Upgrade to the FULL VERSION inside the app to get:
 INSTRUMENTS: • Realistic sound, OVER 4000+ (painstakingly) recorded samples. • Full guitar fretboard (24 frets). • Palm muted equivalents for every guitar note for that heavy CHUG sound. • Supports 6/7 string guitar, 4/5 string bass. • Any custom guitar tuning in the range of Standard to Drop A possible. (In most cases alternative tunings have been fully resampled for most realistic sound.). Expanded range of tunings beyond this now available. • One-touch Chords allow you to forget tricky finger position (+ define up to 25 of your own). • Unique interface allows dynamic key changing as you play. • Use guitar fretboard or drum pads as a midi controller to play background apps/midi devices. • iPad version ‘Dual Mode’ allows you to play 2 instruments simultaneously, including 2 separate midi compatible apps/devices. DRUM KIT CREATOR: • Use own samples or background midi app sounds. • Up to 20 pads, each which can be assigned with 2 sounds for cut off (eg. Open and Closed Hi-Hat). • Drum Kits using local samples are fully Midi In compatible. • Create Interfaces for background midi drum apps and sequence using internal sequencer. • Easily import and export your custom drum kits and share with others. SOUNDPACKS (* = available in Lite version) All Soundpacks now come unlocked in the Full Version. • Guitar: Acoustic*, Metalcore*, Shimmer, Stoner Doom, Bright Clean, Epic lead. • Bass: Studio Tone, Blacklisted, Hazzard. • Drum: Metal Drums*, Rock Drums. Metal Drums Pro, Rock Drums Pro, Power Drums, Punk Drums, Vintage Drums, Jazz Drums, Vinyl Drums, Bongos, Drum Machine 808, Tabla, Industrial, Atmosphere, Percussion Kit, Timpani TAB: • Guitar/Bass/Drum Tab Sequencer. • Midi Sequencer • Intuitive interface - program in notes just by touching them, rather than messing around with a numpad. • Play in almost any time signature. • Key analysis tools. • Jam Mode means you can record all instruments to tab simultaneously as you jam over your backing instruments. • Tempo/Repeat/Mixer/Panning Control. EXPORT: • Save tabs in .jam format - export via iTunes or straight to Dropbox to share with friends/bandmates instantly. • Export tabs as pdf/txt/midi/wav/m4a files. www.jammaestro.com

About

Guitar Notation

This app allows guitar enthusiasts to read, compose, edit, and play back guitar sheet music. It supports multi-track tabs, chord charts, and various notation elements, enabling users to create music on the go.

Highlights
  • Read, compose, and edit guitar sheet music
  • Playback functionality with high-quality sound
  • Multi-track tab support
  • Chord chart configuration
  • Export in MusicXML, MIDI, PNG, and PDF formats
  • Supports up to 8 staff for editing
Features
Read full description

A great guitar tabs and chords notation app on iOS. For any guitar music lover, Guitar Notation gives you the ability to read, compose, edit, and playback guitar sheet music scores. With it you can be a talented composer and great musician anywhere. As long as you have a little knowledge of sheet music, you can write music composition simply by touch and move. Of course it could help you to learn guitar notations. It can handle multi-track tabs, also it supports for chord chart configuration. With the help of it you could easily record the flashes of inspiration wherever they strike. Are you ready to compose music in a simple way? ----------------------- Features: -Export in the industry-popular MusicXML file format, allowing for exchanging sheet music with other software (Finale, Sibelius, Encore, MuseScore, etc). -Export MIDI file. -Export PNG image and PDF document. -High quality sound for playback. -Support editing up to 8 staff at the same time. -Support many kinds of guitar and bass instrument. ----------------------- Supported notation: *A variety of note types, from whole note to 128th note and dotted note *Chord chart configuration *A variety of time signatures *All standard key signatures *Adjustable tempo *All accidentals (sharps, flats, double sharps, double flats, and naturals) *Tie, slur, and tuplet *Many types of ornament *A wide range of dynamics ----------------------- UNLIMITED ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION - Support up to 8 staff - Config parts(add, delete, reorder) - Config chord freely - Change beat type and tempo - A wide variety of guitar types - Config sound for each part - No watermark image export - No Ads - Support 2nd voice part - Config capo for each line - Import data file - The subscriptions are $9.99 monthly - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that service, where applicable - Terms of use: https://service.notationpad.com/terms_service.html

Screenshots

Jam Maestro Lite4 screens
Guitar Notation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Guitar Notation at Free against Jam Maestro Lite's $0.99. Guitar Notation also leads on ratings volume (249 vs 58). Jam Maestro Lite's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (76% vs 58%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Guitar Notation is free to download; Jam Maestro Lite costs $0.99 up front. Jam Maestro Lite sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Guitar Notation sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Jam Maestro Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 58 and 249 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Jam Maestro Lite's written reviews are positive against 58% of Guitar Notation's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Jam Maestro Lite versus Guitar Notation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJam Maestro LiteGuitar Notation
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (58 ratings) — better4.0 (249 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better58.1% of reviews
Number of ratings58249 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13
Further details — not scored
Size292 MB153 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid Blake嵩 张

Customer experience

Jam Maestro Lite

All ratings58 ratings
Positive87.9%
Neutral5.2%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews141 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral7.8%
Negative16.3%

Guitar Notation

All ratings246 ratings
Positive75.6%
Neutral4.5%
Negative19.9%
Written reviews191 reviews
Positive58.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative35.6%

Bugs and requests

Jam Maestro Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Guitar Notation

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Audio playback only works through Bluetooth
  • Can't create a D chord, forces barre chord
  • Freezes on login screen
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to change tuning
  • Add palm muting feature
  • Add more examples
  • Add instructions/tutorial
  • Add ability to transpose
Show 1 more
  • Add ability to input chord symbols

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Jam Maestro Lite

One-time8
  • Bass: Blacklisted SoundpackFree
  • Bass: Hazzard SoundpackFree
  • Guitar: Stoner Doom SoundpackFree
Show 5 more
  • Guitar: Shimmer SoundpackFree
  • Guitar: Bright Clean SoundpackFree
  • Guitar: Epic Lead SoundpackFree
  • Effects Pack 1$1.99
  • Jam Maestro Full Version$7.99
6 purchases

Guitar Notation

Subscriptions3
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time3
  • Guitar Instrument Group$0.99
  • Bass Instrument Group$0.99
  • Extras Package$14.99

Questions

Is Jam Maestro Lite free?
Jam Maestro Lite costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Guitar Notation free?
Guitar Notation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Jam Maestro Lite or Guitar Notation?
Jam Maestro Lite is rated higher. Jam Maestro Lite averages 4.5 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while Guitar Notation averages 4.0 from 249 ratings.
Do Jam Maestro Lite or Guitar Notation have ads?
Neither Jam Maestro Lite nor Guitar Notation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Jam Maestro Lite or Guitar Notation?
Jam Maestro Lite ships an update every 4 months, and Guitar Notation every 4 months. Most recently, Jam Maestro Lite was updated on October 29, 2026 and Guitar Notation on October 29, 2026.

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