Comparison

NoteNames+ vs Notaforte

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

Head to head
About

NoteNames+

This app helps young musicians instantly recognize note names across treble, bass, and alto clefs. It aids in learning key signatures, scales, and enharmonic notes, making music study more efficient and engaging.

Highlights
  • Treble, bass, and alto clef training
  • Enharmonic note recognition
  • Key signature training
  • Scale spelling
  • Key signature building
  • Teacher class codes for student scores
Features
Read full description

NoteNames+ tackles one of the most serious roadblocks for young musicians: The ability to instantly recognize the names of notes. Instantaneous note recognition allows students to process other important information, such as dynamics, articulation, phrasing, fingerings, and so on. NoteNames+ was first developed nearly 20 years ago for the Macintosh, and now it lives on via iOS. Gone are the days of writing the names of notes above the music! Use NoteNames+ as a regular part of your curriculum. Features include: *Training for treble, bass AND alto clefs! *Enharmonic training *Major and minor key signature recognition *Scale spelling (major) *Key signature building (major and minor) *Google Docs implementation (free) Teachers can create their own unique school code in order to receive student scores and to set their own preference requirements *on a per-class basis* which is extremely powerful. Contact us to do this (it's free). NoteNames+ rewards speed *and* accuracy. Students will remain engaged rather than zoning out in a self-paced tutorial format.

About

Notaforte

This app helps you learn to read music notes quickly and easily through an intuitive and fun experience. It uses a unique visual approach and interactive exercises to build your sight-reading skills, making music reading second nature.

Highlights
  • Illustrated, animated lessons
  • Visual training methods
  • Gradual acquisition of reading reflexes
  • 100+ chapters covering main clefs
  • 6 unlimited training modes
  • Customizable exercise sessions
  • Instant feedback
Read full description

Learn to read notes quickly and easily with Notaforte, the app that turns music reading into an intuitive and fun experience. Whether you’re a complete beginner, looking to strengthen your note reading skills, or returning to your instrument after a break, Notaforte guides you step by step until sight-reading becomes second nature. Enjoy a unique method that combines an innovative visual approach with varied interactive exercises, for motivating and effective learning. FINALLY UNDERSTAND & MASTER MUSIC READING - Illustrated, animated lessons that clearly explain essential concepts - Visual training methods based on landmark notes and intervals for intuitive and lasting assimilation - Develop a natural spatial memory of the staff BUILD YOUR SIGHT-READING SKILLS - Gradual acquisition of automatic reading reflexes - Cognitive strategies for quick note identification - Mnemonics, recurring patterns, and deductive logic - Smooth navigation on the staff thanks to anchor points STRUCTURED PRACTICE - 100+ chapters covering the main clefs: Treble, Bass, Treble & Bass combined, C clefs - 6 unlimited training modes for varied and stimulating practice - 19 high-quality instrument sounds to refine your ear - Distraction-free, safe environment: no ads, no interruptions — ideal for all ages, including family use PERSONALIZED LEARNING - Customizable exercise sessions - Adjustable settings to fit your goals - Instant feedback to correct and improve your performance - Play on the app’s virtual keyboards, use your own instrument, or sing - Learn with your preferred note system: A B C or Do Re Mi - Suitable for all musicians: pianists, singers, violinists, flutists… and more! Like learning a new language, Notaforte guides you step by step towards fluent, natural, and instant music reading. This proven approach combines spatial awareness, visual memory, and interactive practice with immersive sound for lasting results. Notaforte is the ideal app to master reading music notes and to sight-read your sheet music with ease, no matter your level or instrument. Download now and discover the joy of learning to read music! Perfect for: - Beginners wanting to understand the basics of note reading - Musicians aiming to improve their music reading and sight-reading - Students seeking a complement to their lessons - Teachers looking for new educational tools Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

NoteNames+2 screens
Notaforte4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Notaforte at 4.9 against NoteNames+'s 4.1. Notaforte also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 67%) and ratings volume (495 vs 16). NoteNames+'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, ads 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. Notaforte sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per 3 months. NoteNames+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Notaforte holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notaforte has 495 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of NoteNames+'s written reviews are positive against 89% of Notaforte's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NoteNames+ ships an update weekly, Notaforte monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NoteNames+ versus Notaforte: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoteNames+Notaforte
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (16 ratings)4.9 (495 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16495 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB133 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrian WisBravenbird

Customer experience

NoteNames+

All ratings16 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative18.8%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Notaforte

All ratings495 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

None

NoteNames+

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Notaforte

Subscriptions2
  • 3-Month Subscription$17.993 Months
  • 12-Month Subscription$35.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$74.99

Questions

Is NoteNames+ free?
NoteNames+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Notaforte free?
Notaforte is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NoteNames+ or Notaforte?
Notaforte is rated higher. NoteNames+ averages 4.1 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Notaforte averages 4.9 from 495 ratings.
Do NoteNames+ or Notaforte have ads?
Neither NoteNames+ nor Notaforte shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NoteNames+ or Notaforte?
NoteNames+ ships an update weekly, and Notaforte monthly. Most recently, NoteNames+ was updated on September 30, 2026 and Notaforte on October 16, 2026.

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