iWriteMusic vs StaffPad
iWriteMusic
iwritemusicapp.comStaffPad
staffpad.netSide by side
| Figure | iWriteMusic | StaffPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 3 |
| Spec score · Music notation software | 8.3 (#13) | 8.6 (#7) |
| Deployment | desktop | desktop |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Integrations | The maker says Standard MIDI exports can be imported by other apps such as GarageBand. | The StaffPad Store offers StaffPad Editions from developers including Cinesamples, Orchestral Tools, and Spitfire Audio. |
| MIDI support | Yes | Yes |
| MusicXML support | No | Yes |
| Parts extraction | Yes | Yes |
| Playback | Playback features include a mixer with solo, mute, and voice selection, plus loop and swing options. | The included core sound library features more than 55 instruments. |
Plans
iWriteMusic
- iWriteMusicPrice not published
- iWriteMusic ProPrice not published
- iWriteMusic Free / SEFree
- iWriteMusic (free version / SE)Free
- iWriteMusic Pro (US App Store)$12.99, paid once
StaffPad
- StaffPad for iPadPrice not published
- StaffPad ReaderFree
- StaffPad$49.99, paid once
In their own words
iWriteMusic
iWriteMusic has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
StaffPad
StaffPad is a music composition app for handwriting notation, recording or importing audio, touch editing, and playback. It turns handwritten notes into typeset scores, can correct stem directions, and flags beat-count issues. Playback includes a core library of more than 55 instruments. Audio features include tempo mapping, Adaptive Audio, recording and import, plus delay, reverb, compression, chorus, and EQ. Exports include MP3, WAV, AAC, MIDI, MusicXML, and print-layout PDF. StaffPad Reader shows individual parts and receives score changes over local Wi-Fi with synchronized playback and annotations. ScoreSync works without internet, and scores remain local rather than in the cloud. StaffPad requires an iPad with Apple Pencil or a Windows device with active pen and touch. Apple Silicon Macs can open and preview scores but cannot write notation; Android is unsupported and the app is English-only. StaffPad costs $49.99, paid once; Reader is free, while the iPad plan has no listed price.