MIDI Score vs SmartScore NoteReader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI Score
This app transforms MIDI files into synchronized sheet music. View musical notes as the music plays, with support for various clefs and track selection. Manage your songs and download new ones directly.
- Converts MIDI to sheet music
- Synchronized playback
- Supports multiple clefs
- Track selection
- Song management
- Web and iTunes download
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[MIDI Score] is an app that converts MIDI files to sheet music. While you are listening to music, you can see musical notes synchronized. FEATURES - Converts MIDI files to sheet music - Plays the sheet music with the synchronization - Supports the treble clef, the bass clef, and both - Track Selection to display the sheet music - Song management by title, artist, and tags - Song download from the web browser, and iTunes file sharing - Automatic synchronization between iOS devices via iCloud PRO VERSION (In-App Purchase) - AB Repeat - Scaling the sheet music - Adjusts the bar width and octave - Playback speed - Transposition - Fingering of piano and guitar - PDF Export, Print, and Share - Removes Ads
SmartScore NoteReader
Transform sheet music into playable audio. This app recognizes printed music from images and PDFs, allowing you to hear it played back instantly. It supports multi-page scores and offers advanced playback controls with various instrumental sounds and drum tracks.
- Image and PDF sheet music recognition
- Instant audio playback
- Multi-page score processing
- Adjustable instrumental sounds
- Karaoke view with scrolling lyrics
- Export to email and cloud (Premier version)
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Click and play. Capture images of printed sheet music and hear the song play back in seconds. Processes multiple-page scores including PDF files and images saved to the device. NOTE: Recognition accuracy is directly releated to the quality of the captured image. For example, our tests indicate that accuracy is improved almost 30% with iPhone 6 images compared to those from the iPhone 5. All iPad users should note that their 5MP cameras are below NoteReader's recommended resolution of 8MP. Unlocked version (NoteReader Premier) allows SmartScore, MIDI, MusicXML and image files to be sent to any e-mail address or to the cloud. MusicXML or MIDI files can be imported to a host of compatible mobile and desktop music applications. Download the free SmartScore Player from www.musitek.com/smartscore-player.html then open SmartScore files from NoteReader. All recognized musical symbols including articulations, dynamics, lyrics, text, chord symbols, guitar fret diagrams and endings appear on-screen. Playback is fully-controllable. Select various instrumental sounds for each part and/or contrapuntal voice. Drum tracks can be added for more realism. There's even a Karaoke view with scrolling lyrics and bouncing ball. Owners of the unlocked version (NoteReader Premier) are also eligible to purchase any of the full editions of SmartScore X2 desktop editions at a significant discount.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Score at 4.0 against SmartScore NoteReader's 2.5. MIDI Score also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months) and review sentiment (43% vs 20%). SmartScore NoteReader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. MIDI Score sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SmartScore NoteReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
MIDI Score holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Score has 151 ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of MIDI Score's written reviews are positive against 20% of SmartScore NoteReader's.
MIDI Score ships an update every 2 months, SmartScore NoteReader every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI Score | SmartScore NoteReader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (151 ratings) — better | 2.5 (30 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews — better | 19.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 151 — better | 30 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 21 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 123 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | AmoriyA | Musitek |
Customer experience
MIDI Score
SmartScore NoteReader
In-app purchases
MIDI Score
- Upgrade to Pro$4.99
SmartScore NoteReader
- SmartScore NoteReader Premier$9.99
Questions
Is MIDI Score free?
Is SmartScore NoteReader free?
Which has better reviews, MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader?
Do MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader have ads?
Which is updated more often, MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader?
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