Comparison

MIDI Score vs SmartScore NoteReader

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Converts MIDI to sheet music
  • Synchronized playback
  • Supports multiple clefs
  • Track selection
  • Song management
  • Web and iTunes download
Features
Read full description

[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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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)
Features
Read full description

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

MIDI Score4 screens
SmartScore NoteReader3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MIDI Score versus SmartScore NoteReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI ScoreSmartScore NoteReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (151 ratings) — better2.5 (30 ratings)
Positive reviews43.5% of reviews — better19.6% of reviews
Number of ratings151 — better30
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 21 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.09.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB123 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAmoriyAMusitek

Customer experience

MIDI Score

All ratings151 ratings
Positive76.2%
Neutral2.6%
Negative21.2%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive43.5%
Neutral12.2%
Negative44.3%

SmartScore NoteReader

All ratings30 ratings
Positive30.0%
Neutral13.3%
Negative56.7%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive19.6%
Neutral15.2%
Negative65.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MIDI Score

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Pro$4.99
1 purchases

SmartScore NoteReader

One-time1
  • SmartScore NoteReader Premier$9.99

Questions

Is MIDI Score free?
MIDI Score is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SmartScore NoteReader free?
SmartScore NoteReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader?
MIDI Score is rated higher. MIDI Score averages 4.0 out of 5 from 151 ratings, while SmartScore NoteReader averages 2.5 from 30 ratings.
Do MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader have ads?
MIDI Score shows ads; SmartScore NoteReader does not.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Score or SmartScore NoteReader?
MIDI Score ships an update every 2 months, and SmartScore NoteReader every 21 months. Most recently, MIDI Score was updated on October 22, 2026 and SmartScore NoteReader on October 19, 2026.

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