# Score Creator vs Notation Pad

The clearest difference is rating: Notation Pad at 4.3 against Score Creator's 3.5. Notation Pad also leads on ratings volume (5.3K vs 493) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). Score Creator's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Score Creator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Notation Pad sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notation Pad holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notation Pad has 5.3K ratings behind it against 493, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Score Creator's written reviews are positive against 56% of Notation Pad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Score Creator ships an update weekly, Notation Pad monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Score Creator | Notation Pad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (493 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/score-creator-compose-music/id627486149/reviews) | **[4.3 (5.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-sheet-music-score/id1091921942/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 493 | **5.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **60.6% of reviews** | 55.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 299 MB | 162 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TRAN PHUONG](https://appshunter.io/developer/572550151) | [嵩 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1091921941) |

## What reviewers say

### Score Creator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/score-creator-compose-music/id627486149)

Easily compose and edit sheet music on your mobile device. This app simplifies music creation with a text-keyboard-like interface for notes and chords, supports multiple instruments and clefs, and allows for lyric and chord symbol writing. It's ideal for songwriters, teachers, and students.

**Highlights:** Compose music scores with various clefs and symbols, Write lyrics and chord symbols, Multi-track support for different instruments, Playback sound for each instrument, Transpose songs and import/export MIDI/MusicXML, Export to PDF and audio files, Editing assistant features

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One-month full version | $4.99 | per month |
| Basic user - one year | $6.99 | per 3 months |
| Three-month full version | $10.99 | per 3 months |
| Basic user - one year | $17.49 | per year |
| One-year full version | $27.49 | per year |
| Basic user - full version | $23.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime full version | $98.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Great for composing music on the go
- 💡 Useful for learning and practicing music
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🚀 Helpful for arranging and transcribing music

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Poor sound quality of instruments
- 🔇 Lack of dynamics and articulation support
- 🔇 Limited range of instruments
- 💰 Paywall for advanced features

**Reported bugs**

- Sudden loss of data and unsaved work
- Playback issues, including notes not playing correctly
- Instrument key signatures not working as expected
- App crashing on launch or when opening certain scores
- Inability to edit or modify existing compositions

**Requested features**

- Add more percussion instruments
- Implement dynamics, articulations, and expression markings
- Allow for more than 2 instruments in the free version
- Improve the drum notation and playback
- Add support for chords, trills, and other advanced notation


### Notation Pad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notation-pad-sheet-music-score/id1091921942)

Create, edit, and play sheet music with this comprehensive notation editor. Compose original pieces, transcribe existing music, and even collaborate in real-time. Ideal for musicians of all levels, from beginners learning notes to experienced composers.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaborative editing, MusicXML, MIDI, PNG, and PDF export, High-quality playback sound, Support for up to 8 staves, Over 100 instrument sounds, Lyric editing, Multi-voice support

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Guitar Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ensemble Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Brass Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Reed Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pipe Instrument Group | $0.99 | one-time |
| Strings Instrument Group | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Instruments Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Extras Package | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎼 Good for basic music notation
- 🎹 Helpful for piano/keyboard players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Many features locked behind paywall
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable at times
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to desktop apps
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find features

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription popup that cannot be closed
- Instruments turning into drums unexpectedly
- Inability to delete or modify certain elements

**Requested features**

- Add more instrument options
- Improve editing capabilities
- Allow changing key signatures and time signatures without premium
- Provide better tutorials and documentation
- Fix issues with note placement and playback


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Score Creator free?

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

### Is Notation Pad free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Score Creator or Notation Pad?

Notation Pad is rated higher. Score Creator averages 3.5 out of 5 from 493 ratings, while Notation Pad averages 4.3 from 5.3K ratings.

### Do Score Creator or Notation Pad have ads?

Neither Score Creator nor Notation Pad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Score Creator or Notation Pad?

Score Creator ships an update weekly, and Notation Pad monthly. Most recently, Score Creator was updated on September 23, 2026 and Notation Pad on September 22, 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.*