Comparison

Sheet Music Scanner vs Musicnotes

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

Head to head
About

Sheet Music Scanner

Instantly listen to scanned sheet music with this app. It recognizes musical notation and plays it back on your device with various instruments and adjustable speeds. Learn music by hearing it come alive from the page.

Highlights
  • Scan printed sheet music with camera
  • Playback from photo library or PDF
  • Tap to play specific measures
  • Recognizes melody, harmony, and rhythm symbols
  • Supports multiple instruments and voices
  • Adjustable playback speed
  • Export as MIDI, MusicXML, and audio
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Scan sheet music and instantly listen with music with Sheet Music Scanner. Sheet Music Scanner makes it easy for you to scan or upload printed sheet music. Listen to the music printed on the page in a number of different formats and instruments, directly on your device. Ever wanted to know how that interesting-looking piece of sheet music actually sounds? Now you can know instantly. Just point your iPhone or iPad at the sheet and let it play the notes for you. Listen to the notes and help yourself learn along the way. Sheet Music Scanner lets you scan and playback from any part of the song, just tap the measure and listen to your sheet music. You can even choose the instrument, pick the speed and enjoy! Download Sheet Music Scanner and scan your sheet music today! 2 for 1 universal iOS app: iPhone / iPod touch and iPad - you get Sheet Music Scanner for all your iOS devices for the price of one. SHEET MUSIC SCANNER FEATURES - Scan the whole sheet instantly using your built-in camera - Scan and playback from any image in your Photo library or from a PDF * - Playback from anywhere in the song - simply tap the measure, the notes and symbols are highlighted as they're played - Reads and recognizes the following symbols of musical notation pertaining to melody, harmony, and rhythm: treble, bass, and alto (viola) clefs, notes, duration dots, rests, accidentals, note ties, triplets and other tuplets, repeat signs * - Support for voices played in tandem, e.g. both piano hands at the same time, or all the choir voices - Support for playing individual staffs separately, e.g. right or left piano hand - Support for multiple pages - Accommodates speeds between 50 and 330 beats per minute - Cloud synchronization. Access your music library on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iCloud Drive. * Some limitations apply - please see at the bottom of the page. EXPORT OPTIONS - Export as MIDI, MusicXML, audio (M4A / AAC, MP3, WAV), PDF to cloud storage, directly to other apps or via AirDrop - All major cloud storages supported: iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, etc. Note that the appropriate cloud storage client app has to be installed for this to work. INSTRUMENTS - Accordion, Acoustic Bass, Alto Sax, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Celeste, Cello, Choir, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, French Horn, Guitar - Classical, Clean, Distortion, Glockenspiel, Harp, Mandolin, Marimba, Oboe, Organ (Percussive, Pipe, Reed, Rock, Tonewheel), Piano, Recorder, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Vibraphone, Viola, Violin, Xylophone - Supports actual instrument pitch for transposing instruments - Change your pitch standard based on instrument, from standard 440Hz to 380-480 Hz SUBSCRIPTIONS - 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. Limitations - Reads printed sheet music, not handwritten or mimicking handwriting, tablatures, etc. - Reads standard oval note heads only, no special symbols like shape notes. - The following symbols are not currently supported: codas, percussion notation, dynamics, double sharps, double flats, and grace notes. These are planned to come in the future updates. - Use high-quality printed sheet music and take photos under good enough light, when scanning from your camera, for optimal results. For scanning from a file, the recommended resolution is 300 DPI or 8-12 MPx per page. - Some older prints and unusual fonts may not be recognizable. If you experience any problems, please contact support at support@sheetmusicscanner.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Musicnotes

Access and play over 500,000 sheet music arrangements. This digital library offers interactive playback, annotation tools, and transposition features to aid in practice, performance, and learning. Organize your music, scan printed scores, and sync notes across devices.

Highlights
  • Sheet music player and reader
  • Interactive playback
  • Transpose songs
  • Annotation tools
  • Organize into set lists
  • Access over 500,000 arrangements
  • Offline access
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Musicnotes is your digital sheet music reader, player and music library for practice, performance, and learning. Access and print over 500,000 officially licensed printable sheet music arrangements, scores, and practice materials to play, study, and build your skills wherever you go. Whether you're a student, teacher, hobbyist, or professional musician, Musicnotes provides reliable, interactive annotation tools to support your musical education, rehearsal, and personal growth. Musicnotes brings sheet music and scores to life with interactive playback, helping you follow the notation as you listen, learn, and practice. WHY MUSICNOTES? • Sheet music player and reader for practice, rehearsal, lessons, and performance • Read, play, organize, annotate, perform, and print from one of the most trusted sheet music apps • Transpose songs into different keys for vocal training, music theory study, and instrument practice • Mark up your sheet music with a stylus or finger to improve sight-reading, interpretation, and recall skills • Organize your sheet music and scores into set lists for lessons, recitals, rehearsals, performances or group practice • Browse over 500,000 officially licensed printable sheet music arrangements, study scores and practice sheets • Receive 100 free sheet music titles, blank sheet music and scales, to support your learning and education journey • Upload and store your personal sheet music PDFs online for easy access • Easily import your Music notes sheet music pieces into the ForScore Pro app for note management • Discover popular musicals and artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, La La Land, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars ACCESS A WORLD OF EDUCATIONAL MUSIC RESOURCES • Take your digital sheet music library offline—perfect for students, teachers, and performers seeking reliable music reference material • Scan printed scores and convert them into digital study material • Explore free and paid music for all skill levels, instruments and voice: piano, guitar, drums, flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, cello, accordion, percussion, banjo, saxophone, tuba, baritone horn and more • Learn classical repertoire, lullabies, jazz standards, christmas classics or modern pop • Perfect for use in private lessons, school programs, and conservatory training PRACTICE TOOLS FOR MUSIC EDUCATION • Customize key and tempo for vocal range exercises or skill development • Use interactive playback with the music note player to improve rhythm, timing, and accuracy • Loop difficult sections for targeted repetition and muscle memory • Practice music theory fundamentals with harmony playback and tempo control • Organize your music note sheets into set lists to prepare for lessons, practice routines, or recitals ANNOTATE & TEACH MORE EFFECTIVELY • Highlight, write, and add custom markings to reinforce learning points • Switch between annotated and clean sheet music scores • Sync notes across devices with Musicnotes Pro, ideal for teachers & students THE BEST TOOL FOR TEACHING, LEARNING, AND PERFORMING • Tap or swipe to turn pages—or use AirTurn & Pageflip for hands-free playing • Customize paper backgrounds to mirror physical sheet music • Print purchased scores for classroom or in-person lessons • Use Musicnotes Pro Credits to redeem arrangements for your music curriculum • High-resolution PDFs available with Pro membership Try Musicnotes today and discover why music teachers, students, and performers trust it as the #1 sheet music reader, player, and performance app Musicnotes Pro is an annual subscription that will charge to your App Store Account & auto-renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your App Store Account will be charged within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Your subscription & auto-renewal can be managed in your Account Settings. Terms of Use: https://www.musicnotes.com/TermsOfUseApp.html

Screenshots

Sheet Music Scanner4 screens
Musicnotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Musicnotes at free with in-app purchases against Sheet Music Scanner's subscription. Musicnotes also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (43K vs 6.5K). Sheet Music Scanner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Sheet Music Scanner sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Musicnotes sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Musicnotes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Musicnotes has 43K ratings behind it against 6.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Sheet Music Scanner's written reviews are positive against 55% of Musicnotes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sheet Music Scanner ships an update every 3 weeks, Musicnotes fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Sheet Music Scanner versus Musicnotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSheet Music ScannerMusicnotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6.5K ratings)4.8 (43K ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.0% of reviews — better54.9% of reviews
Number of ratings6.5K43K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#130 — better#157
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size77 MB122 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperApp Sub 1 LLCMusicnotes

Customer experience

Sheet Music Scanner

All ratings6,456 ratings
Positive88.8%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews539 reviews
Positive61.0%
Neutral8.5%
Negative30.4%

Musicnotes

All ratings43,389 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews607 reviews
Positive54.9%
Neutral12.7%
Negative32.5%

User reviews

Sheet Music Scanner

From 6.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Game changing app
  • 👍 Helpful for learning music
  • 💡 Useful for singers and musicians
  • 🚀 Accurate scanning and playback
  • 👍 Great value for the price

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Misses notes, rhythms, and symbols
  • 🐛 Struggles with complex music
  • 🔒 Requires subscription to fully use
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance

Musicnotes

From 43K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great convenience
  • 🎹 Fantastic range of music
  • 🎶 Adjustable to skill level
  • 💻 Reliable and responsive
  • 🎨 Helpful playback and annotation features

Room to improve

  • 💰 Overpriced compared to other options
  • 🔒 Restrictive printing and usage policies
  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🖥️ Inconsistent pricing between app and website
  • 📱 Poor iPad and iPhone X support

Bugs and requests

Sheet Music Scanner

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Misses key signatures and accidentals
  • Struggles with handwritten or low-quality sheet music
  • Separates hands/voices incorrectly in multi-staff scores

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to manually edit scanned music
  • Improve support for repeats, codas, and complex rhythms
  • Allow selecting/isolating individual instrument/voice parts
  • Add count-in and metronome features
  • Improve export options (e.g. separate instrument tracks)

Musicnotes

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and inability to access purchased content
  • Crashes and performance problems, especially on newer devices
  • Inconsistent behavior when navigating and scrolling sheet music
  • Unreliable playback and sync features

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to permanently delete pre-installed songs
  • Improve note-taking and annotation tools, including Apple Pencil support
  • Implement better browsing and search functionality
  • Allow more flexible printing and copying options
  • Add seamless syncing between app and website purchases

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Sheet Music Scanner

Subscriptions10
  • Notation Scanner$4.991 Month
  • Notation Scanner$9.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner$14.991 Year
Show 7 more
  • Notation Scanner$17.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner7 Days trial$22.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner14 Days trial$22.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner$24.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner$29.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner$34.991 Year
  • Notation Scanner7 Days trial$34.991 Year
9 purchases

Musicnotes

Subscriptions1
  • Musicnotes Pro$14.991 Year
One-time8
  • PDF Sheet Music Arrangement2 variants$2.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement$3.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Sheet Music Arrangement$5.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement$6.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement$7.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement + PDF$8.99
  • Sheet Music Arrangement + PDF$9.99

Questions

Is Sheet Music Scanner free?
Sheet Music Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Musicnotes free?
Musicnotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sheet Music Scanner or Musicnotes?
Musicnotes is rated higher. Sheet Music Scanner averages 4.5 out of 5 from 6.5K ratings, while Musicnotes averages 4.8 from 43K ratings.
Do Sheet Music Scanner or Musicnotes have ads?
Musicnotes shows ads; Sheet Music Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, Sheet Music Scanner or Musicnotes?
Sheet Music Scanner ships an update every 3 weeks, and Musicnotes fortnightly. Most recently, Sheet Music Scanner was updated on November 6, 2026 and Musicnotes on November 6, 2026.
Which is more popular, Sheet Music Scanner or Musicnotes?
Sheet Music Scanner currently peaks at #130 in the App Store charts, and Musicnotes at #157. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons