Comparison

DSM vs NotationPlayer

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

Head to head
About

DSM

Manage your music setlists with precision. This app offers features for live performance, studio sessions, and practice, including click tracks, MIDI control, and hands-free operation. Sync your data across devices and customize your view.

Highlights
  • Setlist management with BPM and notes
  • Customizable click track and audio playback
  • MIDI integration for external device control
  • Hands-free operation with foot switches
  • Apple Watch app for wrist control
  • Dropbox synchronization for data backup
  • Dark and light mode options
Features
Read full description

DSM Pure helps drummers and other musicians organize songs for rehearsals, concerts and live performances. Create a preset for every song with the information you need while playing. Group presets into chains to prepare setlists and keep the correct order throughout a performance. Key features: • Manage songs, presets and chains • Configure a click track for every song • Associate audio playback with presets • Follow tempo and playback with clear visual feedback • Reorder songs freely within a chain • Control the app remotely with AirTurn and iRig • Support practice sessions with Practise Manager • Back up, import and export your database DSM Pure brings song details, setlist order, tempo, audio and essential controls together in one place. Prepare a chain before rehearsal or a concert, then move through its presets while keeping the important information in view. Backup tools let you save and restore your database or move it between setups when needed. Designed for direct, dependable operation during preparation and on stage.

About

NotationPlayer

Read full description

NotationPlayer turns your sheet music into sound. Open any MusicXML or ABC file, choose from over 100 realistic instruments, and hear your music played back instantly — with full tempo control, transposition, and a built-in metronome. Built for trad and folk musicians, with full MusicXML support for classical, jazz, and any sheet music you read. PLAY YOUR MUSIC • Play MusicXML and ABC notation files with realistic instrument sounds • Adjust tempo from half speed to double speed without changing pitch • Transpose to any key with one tap • Built-in metronome with click, woodblock, and bodhrán sounds • Count-in option for a clean start • Auto-scroll follows the music as it plays FIND NEW TUNES • Search over 30,000 traditional tunes from The Session • Browse the ABC Notation archive and Henrik Norbeck's collection • Paste ABC or MusicXML notation directly into the app • 55 sample tunes included — Celtic, Classical, Bluegrass, and Jazz LEARN AND PRACTISE • Tap any note to set a cue point and play from there • Loop any section by selecting start and end notes — perfect for tricky passages • Show note names (C, D, E…) above or below every note — helpful for beginners and for unfamiliar clefs • Lyrics displayed and synced to playback • Swing control for jazz and traditional styles MULTI-TRACK MIXER • Assign different instruments to each voice or part 100+ instruments including fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, piano, guitar, flute, and more • Volume, pan, mute, and solo controls per track • Guitar chord accompaniment from chord symbols ANNOTATE YOUR SCORES • Draw on your scores with pen and highlighter • Add text notes anywhere on the page • Multiple colours and tools • Your annotations are saved with each tune ORGANISE YOUR MUSIC • Build tune sets — group tunes into medleys that play seamlessly • Create playlists with sets and individual tunes • Ensemble mode — add backing instruments to your playlists • Speed control for playlist playback • Favourites and search across your library EXPORT AND SHARE • Export scores as PDF for printing or sharing with bandmates • Export audio as MP3 • Share with other musicians WORKS OFFLINE NotationPlayer works without an internet connection. Your tunes, instruments, and playlists are always available — perfect for rehearsals, sessions, and practice anywhere. Built for musicians who want their notation to do more than just sit on the page. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DSM4 screens
NotationPlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

DSM and NotationPlayer are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. DSM sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and NotationPlayer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DSM ships an update every 3 weeks, NotationPlayer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
DSM versus NotationPlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDSMNotationPlayer
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndreas SchweigerChorusLogic Ltd.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

DSM

One-time4
  • Enable Setlist Printing$2.99
  • Add Apple Watch Support$3.99
  • Enable Live BPM Measurement$3.99
Show 1 more
  • More Songs and Setlists$8.99
2 purchases

NotationPlayer

Subscriptions1
  • NotationPlayer Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Full Access$6.99

Questions

Is DSM free?
DSM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NotationPlayer free?
NotationPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DSM or NotationPlayer have ads?
Neither DSM nor NotationPlayer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DSM or NotationPlayer?
DSM ships an update every 3 weeks, and NotationPlayer every 2 weeks. Most recently, DSM was updated on October 4, 2026 and NotationPlayer on October 7, 2026.

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