Comparison

Realbook Master vs Band Session Note

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

Head to head
About

Realbook Master

This music app allows live performers to instantly transpose sheet music to any key. It supports various instruments and includes features for managing setlists and customizing the display. Ideal for musicians needing quick key changes on stage or in rehearsal.

Highlights
  • Transpose chords and melodies to all 12 keys
  • Download sheet music from forum
  • Lyrics On/Off
  • Select transposing instruments (bass clef)
  • Create and share setlists
  • Export transposed sheet music as PDF
  • MusicXML file support
Features
Read full description

The sheet music app that understands real live musicians. Swipe up or down to change keys on the fly - because the show MUST GO ON! Built for any musicians who perform live. Whether you're on stage, in rehearsal, or playing at church, Realbook Master gives you the instant freedom.

 Features : 1) Transpose chords and melodies to all 12 keys by swiping the sheet music or using +/- buttons in the top toolbar 2) Download sheet music from the forum 3) Lyrics On/Off 4) Select transposing instruments (bass clef support) 5) Create and share setlists 6) Export transposed sheet music as PDF 7) MusicXML file support 8) Supports various themes, music fonts, and background modes Perfect for: - Jazz musicians who need quick key changes - Wind players tired of transposing manually - Church musicians managing large song libraries - Bassists who need proper clef and range - Any performer who values speed and flexibility on stage

About

Band Session Note

This app allows musicians to handwrite musical scores and charts digitally using an Apple Pencil. It offers tools for sketching chords, rhythms, and annotating imported scores, with features for creating custom sections and setlists for band rehearsals and performances.

Highlights
  • Handwritten score sketching with Apple Pencil
  • Drum notation with standard lines
  • Annotate imported scores (PDF/photo)
  • Solfège stickers for kids
  • Create and manage setlists
  • Customizable song sections
  • Export as PNG, JPG, or PDF
Features
Read full description

Create, edit, organize and perform, all in one place. Band Session Note is a sheet music app made by a working saxophonist for band musicians. Write a chart in minutes, fix only the parts you need, and take it straight to rehearsal and the stage. CREATE & EDIT YOUR MUSIC - Write scores with Apple Pencil, your finger or any stylus - Start from a song form or one of 13 ensemble setups - Add chords in seconds with Quick Chords above each bar - Open PDF and photo scores, then mark up and edit them - Select any area and erase, copy or move only that part - Transpose for C, Bb and Eb instruments - Chord voicings and piano chord charts - Play your score back, or write with a MIDI keyboard READY FOR THE STAGE - Performance mode with half-page turns and auto-scroll - Setlists to line up every song of the night - Built-in metronome, tuner and countdown MORE TOOLS FOR MUSICIANS - Rhythm Tap: tap a groove and it becomes drum notation - Lyrics mode and lyric sheets - Export to PDF or image and share with your band OPTIONAL PACKS (in-app purchase) - Pro Pack: play the on-screen keyboard into notation, with auto dynamics and articulations - Drum Pack: drum kit with recording and overdub - String Pack: technique marks for guitar, bass and ukulele - Kids Music Play Pack: solfege stickers and praise stamps Works on iPad and iPhone. Your scores stay on your device unless you share them. One-time purchase, no subscription.

Screenshots

Realbook Master4 screens
Band Session Note4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Band Session Note at 5.0 against Realbook Master's 1.0. Band Session Note also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Realbook Master's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Realbook Master costs $9.99 and Band Session Note $9.99 up front. Band Session Note sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Realbook Master asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Band Session Note holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Realbook Master's written reviews are positive against 100% of Band Session Note's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Realbook Master versus Band Session Note: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRealbook MasterBand Session Note
Price$9.99$9.99
Rating1.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSanghyun Parksung ju KIM

Customer experience

Realbook Master

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

Band Session Note

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Realbook Master

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Band Session Note

One-time5
  • 드럼팩$0.99
  • 음악놀이$0.99
  • String Pack (Guitar·Bass·Uke)$0.99
Show 2 more
  • Pro Pack$4.99
  • All-in-One Bundle$7.99

Questions

Is Realbook Master free?
Realbook Master costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Band Session Note free?
Band Session Note costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Realbook Master or Band Session Note?
Band Session Note is rated higher. Realbook Master averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Band Session Note averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Realbook Master or Band Session Note have ads?
Neither Realbook Master nor Band Session Note shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Realbook Master or Band Session Note?
Realbook Master ships an update weekly, and Band Session Note weekly. Most recently, Realbook Master was updated on October 30, 2026 and Band Session Note on November 11, 2026.

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