Comparison

AccessMusic vs Aria

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

Head to head
About

AccessMusic

Features
Read full description

AccessMusic is the score reader built for blind and low-vision musicians. Import MusicXML or MXL files you’ve downloaded from other sites, and AccessMusic makes them accessible — with full screen reader navigation, a dedicated low-vision view, and a built-in talking tuner. Accessible Score Reading: - Read Your Own Scores: Open MusicXML and MXL files from other sites or apps. - Screen Reader Support: Navigate measure by measure with VoiceOver; all sections are tagged for clear announcements. - Low-Vision Mode: A high-contrast dark mode that displays one measure at a time for maximum readability. Talking Tuner: - Audio Feedback: Hear spoken pitch names and cents adjustment — no tiny visuals required. - Quick & Reliable: Perfect for practice or live performance. - Made for Musicians with Vision Loss Most sheet music apps aren’t designed with accessibility in mind. AccessMusic breaks those barriers, letting blind and low-vision musicians focus on the music instead of the interface. Best for: - Blind musicians using VoiceOver - Low-vision players needing high-contrast notation - Teachers and students working with accessible practice tools Bring your music. AccessMusic makes it playable. Attribution - AccessMusic uses the open-source OpenSheetMusicDisplay (OSMD) library, licensed under the MIT License.

About

Aria

Create, edit, and play back musical scores on your iPhone or iPad. This app supports MuseScore and MusicXML files, offering intuitive touch controls for note entry and playback. Organize your library, manage parts, and export your compositions in various formats.

Highlights
  • Create and edit music scores
  • Play back compositions
  • Support for MuseScore and MusicXML
  • Intuitive touch controls
  • Manage individual parts
  • Export in multiple formats
Features
Read full description

Aria is a notation editor for iPhone and iPad that lets you create, edit, and play back MuseScore files on the go. Open existing MuseScore and MusicXML files, make changes with intuitive touch-based notation controls, play back your score, organize your library, manage individual parts, and export your music when you’re ready to share. Built for musicians who want a lightweight, mobile-friendly way to review, create, and revise scores wherever they are. Features: * Open mcz and MusicXML score files * Create new scores from templates * Edit notes enter notes with touch controls, Apple Pencil, or Midi controller * Play back scores locally * View and manage individual parts * Export and share your work, as Mscz, Pdf, MusiXML, audio, and more.. Aria is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by MuseScore, Muse Group, or any related project. Aria is open-source software licensed under the GNU GPLv3. Source code, license notices, and build instructions are available here: https://github.com/hdi200/aria

Screenshots

AccessMusic4 screens
Aria4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Aria at Free against AccessMusic's $0.99. Aria also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). AccessMusic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17). On ads 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

Aria is free to download; AccessMusic costs $0.99 up front. Aria sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AccessMusic asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AccessMusic ships an update every 3 weeks, Aria every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
AccessMusic versus Aria: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAccessMusicAria
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—4.8 (30 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—30 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB278 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNora BowdenJack Gruber

In-app purchases

None

AccessMusic

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aria

One-time1
  • Aria Full Access$9.99

Questions

Is AccessMusic free?
AccessMusic costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aria free?
Aria is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AccessMusic or Aria have ads?
Neither AccessMusic nor Aria shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AccessMusic or Aria?
AccessMusic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aria every 2 days. Most recently, AccessMusic was updated on October 25, 2026 and Aria on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons