Comparison

SmartScore NoteReader vs PlayScore 2

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

Head to head
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.

About

PlayScore 2

Scan sheet music from photos or PDFs and have it played back. Adjust instruments, tempo, and transposition. Export your scores as MusicXML and MIDI for further editing.

Highlights
  • Scan music from photos and PDFs
  • Playback with scrolling notation
  • Adjust volume, instrument, and transposition
  • Smart metronome with time signature recognition
  • Export as MusicXML and MIDI
  • Create 'Playable Score' documents
Features
Read full description

Play all kinds of music direct from photos, images and PDF scores. Export as MusicXML and MIDI Snap music with your camera or import images and PDFs. PlayScore will play them right back to you, scrolling through the song following measure by measure • Adjust volume, instrument and transposition for each staff • Accompany yourself while you sing or play your instrument - PlayScore 2 will even count you in! • Playback with smart metronome that understands time signatures • Create Playable Score Documents that anyone can play back by downloading PlayScore 2 • Export Full Notation MusicXML to score editors with text, dynamics, articulation and more PlayScore 2 reads and plays all kinds of music straight off the page† such as: • Songs • Piano, organ, guitar • Hymns • Solos and Sonatas • Chamber, band and orchestral Choirs and ensembles - Learning a new piece? Create a Playable Score, so each member can listen to their part on its own or standing out from the others. • 19 high quality instruments per staff to choose from • Change tempo (even while playing) • Tap anywhere to play, or drag with a finger to create a loop • Mute and adjust volume, and change instrument for each staff individually • Transpose the whole song or by instrument (transposing instruments) * Adjustable multi-measure count-in and metronome * Swing playback • Adjustable dynamic range PlayScore 2 makes it easy to create multi-page Playable Scores: • Rearrange recapture or delete pages • Select a page range in a PDF • Clip and mask • Search and sort by title or composer Subscriptions - Even without a subscription you can • Play and interact with any PlayScore Playable Score • Play pages of music in unlimited staves from a photo • Create and share single page playable documents PlayScore 2 Productivity subscription • Create and play multi-staff, multi-page scores captured with the camera or imported as images • Export your documents for anyone to play • Interact with scores, auto-transpose transposing instruments, export MIDI files PlayScore 2 Professional subscription • Create Playable Score documents from PDF scores that anyone can play • Export any score as MIDI and MusicXML containing full notation and text Productivity and Professional versions are available as 1-month or 12-month auto-renewing subscriptions. • The payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • You may manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings on-line after purchase Important: Capturing copyrighted music without the copyright holder's permission is illegal. PlayScore 2 recognises full music notation – see full spec at playscore.co † please see online help for exclusions Terms of use: https://playscore.co/terms-of-use

Screenshots

SmartScore NoteReader3 screens
PlayScore 23 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PlayScore 2 at 4.2 against SmartScore NoteReader's 2.5. PlayScore 2 also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 20%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months). SmartScore NoteReader's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. SmartScore NoteReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PlayScore 2 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PlayScore 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PlayScore 2 has 4.5K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of SmartScore NoteReader's written reviews are positive against 50% of PlayScore 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartScore NoteReader ships an update every 21 months, PlayScore 2 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
SmartScore NoteReader versus PlayScore 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartScore NoteReaderPlayScore 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.5 (30 ratings)4.2 (4.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews19.6% of reviews50.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings304.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#123 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better16
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB93 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMusitekOrganum Limited

Customer experience

SmartScore NoteReader

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

PlayScore 2

All ratings4,533 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral6.0%
Negative16.2%
Written reviews488 reviews
Positive50.4%
Neutral13.1%
Negative36.5%

Bugs and requests

SmartScore NoteReader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PlayScore 2

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes and freezes when scanning/importing
  • Playback issues with timing and note accuracy
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Exporting to MIDI/MusicXML not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to import PDFs and multiple pages
  • Improved support for transposition and clef changes
  • Metronome functionality and count-in feature
  • Annotation and score editing capabilities
  • Organizational tools (folders, playlists)

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SmartScore NoteReader

One-time1
  • SmartScore NoteReader Premier$9.99
4 purchases

PlayScore 2

Subscriptions4
  • PlayScore Productivity$5.991 Month
  • PlayScore 2 Professional month$6.991 Month
  • PlayScore Productivity$34.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • PlayScore 2 Professional year$59.991 Year

Questions

Is SmartScore NoteReader free?
SmartScore NoteReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlayScore 2 free?
PlayScore 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartScore NoteReader or PlayScore 2?
PlayScore 2 is rated higher. SmartScore NoteReader averages 2.5 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while PlayScore 2 averages 4.2 from 4.5K ratings.
Do SmartScore NoteReader or PlayScore 2 have ads?
Neither SmartScore NoteReader nor PlayScore 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartScore NoteReader or PlayScore 2?
SmartScore NoteReader ships an update every 21 months, and PlayScore 2 every 2 months. Most recently, SmartScore NoteReader was updated on October 11, 2026 and PlayScore 2 on October 19, 2026.

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