# SmartScore NoteReader vs Staventabs

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Staventabs at 65% against SmartScore NoteReader's 20%. Staventabs also leads on rating (3.8 vs 2.5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 21 months). SmartScore NoteReader's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SmartScore NoteReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Staventabs sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Staventabs holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 71 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of SmartScore NoteReader's written reviews are positive against 65% of Staventabs's.

SmartScore NoteReader ships an update every 21 months, Staventabs every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartScore NoteReader | Staventabs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscore-notereader/id826309591/reviews) | **[3.8 (71 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staventabs-compose-and-notate/id947545539/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **71** |
| Positive reviews | 19.6% of reviews | **64.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 123 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Musitek](https://appshunter.io/developer/826309594) | [Ivan Korovin](https://appshunter.io/developer/937929054) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartScore NoteReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartscore-notereader/id826309591)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SmartScore NoteReader Premier | $9.99 | one-time |


### Staventabs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staventabs-compose-and-notate/id947545539)

Compose and edit musical scores and tablature with a user-friendly interface. Create new pieces from scratch or templates, input notes intuitively, and enhance your compositions with advanced editing tools. Practice your songs with playback and metronome features, and manage your projects seamlessly.

**Highlights:** Score and tablature editing, Intuitive note input, Virtual piano and fingerboard, Instrument previews, Playback and metronome, AI-powered scale suggestions, MIDI and MusicXML import/export

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advanced composing | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited projects | $10.99 | one-time |
| Additional instruments | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient music notation
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🎨 Customizable chord diagrams
- 💾 Supports multiple file formats
- 🎶 Realistic instrument sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 💰 Paywall for basic features
- 🔀 Inconsistent note/chord handling
- 🔍 Unclear documentation
- 🔊 Lagging playback

**Reported bugs**

- Imported MIDI files lose instrument assignments
- Disappearing projects after updates
- Inability to adjust note lengths in piano roll
- Metronome not audible over instrument playback

**Requested features**

- Add support for grace notes and ornaments
- Implement repeat/coda symbols
- Allow custom font and layout options
- Integrate MIDI input and output
- Improve chord recognition accuracy


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartScore NoteReader free?

SmartScore NoteReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Staventabs free?

Staventabs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SmartScore NoteReader or Staventabs?

Staventabs is rated higher. SmartScore NoteReader averages 2.5 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Staventabs averages 3.8 from 71 ratings.

### Do SmartScore NoteReader or Staventabs have ads?

Neither SmartScore NoteReader nor Staventabs shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartScore NoteReader or Staventabs?

SmartScore NoteReader ships an update every 21 months, and Staventabs every 3 weeks. Most recently, SmartScore NoteReader was updated on October 23, 2026 and Staventabs on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*