MuseScore Studio gives a drummer a full desktop editor with ready-made drum kits, a drum-pad percussion panel, a dedicated Sticking text for R and L, MIDI keyboard or pad input and PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export, all free. Know before choosing: it runs only on Mac, Windows and Linux, and MuseScore says it has no plans for a mobile editor, so grooves you sketch away from the computer have to start in another app.
- Best for
- Actually free, Songs and charts, Band and pro scores, MIDI from an e-kit
- Not for
- Drummers who want to write or edit notation on a phone or tablet.
- Someone does it better
- Flat lets you edit the same drum chart in a browser, on a phone and with bandmates in real time, which MuseScore Studio cannot do.
- Free tier
- Everything: the full editor, playback and PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export are free and open source, with no trial or limited version.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (16)
- Latest stable version.
The latest stable version is 4.7.5
source - Native Linux build alongside Windows and Mac downloads.
Suitable for recent Linux distributions
source - Free and open source.
MuseScore Studio is a GNU GPL licensed open-source program.
source - No paid or limited edition.
There is no demo, trial or limited version of the open source MuseScore software.
source - Drum kits are preconfigured with the right staff lines and noteheads.
MuseScore Studio takes care of the number of stave lines for the kit
source - Drum kit instruments included.
Drum kits (common, minimal, large)
source - Playback of drum kits.
the correct sound is automatically assigned in playback for MS Basic and MuseSounds libraries
source - Drum pad input panel.
The percussion panel in MuseScore Studio uses a drum pad style layout
source
8 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
The MuseScore app lets a drummer find community drum and percussion scores in a very large catalogue and play them back with tempo control and looping. Know before choosing: it cannot write or edit anything, and offline use plus PDF and MIDI export need the PRO subscription.
- Best for
- Read and play along
- Not for
- Anyone who wants to write or edit drum notation on a phone.
- Someone does it better
- Flat's mobile app actually writes drum parts with a drums-pad and exports PDF, MIDI and MusicXML, while the MuseScore app only views and plays scores.
- Free tier
- Browse and play the free community score catalogue with the interactive player; offline Songbook, PDF, MIDI and MP3 export and other practice tools sit behind MuseScore PRO.
Sources (9)
- Play scores online and offline.
View and play your favorite sheet music online and offline.
source - Offline Songbook needs PRO.
With MuseScore PRO, you can use Songbook to download and keep your favorite scores offline.
source - Interactive playback.
Play immediately with the interactive player.
source - Export listed under the PRO features.
Export sheet music to PDF, MIDI, and MP3.
source - Percussion scores in the catalogue.
Browse the catalog by instrument: piano, trumpet, violin, percussion, flute, etc.
source - Sharing.
Share your favorite sheet music.
source - Offline practice on Android needs PRO.
Download sheet music for offline practice with MuseScore PRO
source - No mobile editor.
Currently, there are no plans for a MuseScore editor on mobile platforms.
source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Drum Notes is a phone and tablet score editor for drum set and world percussion such as samba, marching, Cuban and capoeira instruments, with playback, a metronome, a public library of community beats and student-teacher groups. Know before choosing: both listings show ads and a Premium subscription for unlimited compositions, and they mention audio and image export but not PDF, MIDI or MusicXML.
- Best for
- Quick grooves
- Not for
- Drummers who need PDF, MIDI or MusicXML files, since neither store listing mentions those exports.
- Someone does it better
- Beat Note's listing documents sticking annotations and PDF export, neither of which the Drum Notes listings mention.
- Free tier
- Free with ads on both stores; both listings say Premium unlocks unlimited compositions and private groups, with percussion instruments per score also named on the App Store and advanced editor features on Google Play.
Sources (11)
- Score editor for drum set and percussion.
Intuitive Music Score Editor: Effortlessly create percussive sheet music with a user-friendly music writing editor, for drum set or any percussion instrument.
source - Sequencer-style editing with real scores.
Like a drum machine or drum sequencer with real drum scores.
source - Playback.
Playback Tool: Use Drum Notes to playback loops and samples for various instruments.
source - Export is audio or image.
Arrange and Share: Organize complex patterns and rhythms, and export them in audio or image formats.
source - Teacher groups.
Student-Teacher Groups: Maintain shared spaces for class materials and track progress.
source - What Premium unlocks.
Unlock unlimited compositions, percussive instruments per score, and private groups.
source - iOS listing shows ads.
Contains Advertising
source - Android listing shows ads.
Contains ads
source
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Beat Note turns taps on a sequencer grid into clean drum notation with R and L stickings, plays it back with a click and count-in, and exports PDF, audio and animated notation video, with worksheet layouts for teachers. Know before choosing: it is iPhone and iPad only, full access needs a subscription, and MIDI and MusicXML export are still open requests on the developer's roadmap.
- Best for
- Quick grooves, Teaching
- Not for
- Android users, and anyone who needs to move a groove into a DAW or another notation program as MIDI or MusicXML.
- Someone does it better
- Flat runs on Android, the web and desktop and exports MIDI and MusicXML, where Beat Note is iOS only with neither export.
- Free tier
- Free to download with a free trial; the listing says a premium subscription is required for full access and does not say what stays free.
- Stores
- App Store 4.6 (87) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (14)
- Grid entry turns into notation.
Tap the sequencer grid to build beats.
source - Playback.
Hit play and hear exactly what you wrote
source - Stickings.
Sticking annotations (R, L)
source - Export formats.
PDF, PNG, WAV or AAC audio, shareable link, and animated MP4
source - Curated beat library.
Discover tab: curated educational beats for all skill levels
source - Subscription model.
Premium subscription required for full access. Educator and Creator tiers available. Free trial included.
source - Mac runs the iPad build.
Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
source - Worksheets for teachers.
Custom Worksheets in Minutes
source
6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Flat
Tutteo Limited · web · Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows · freemium
Flat gives drummers a real drum-set staff with a drums-pad and per-drum keyboard shortcuts in the browser, on phones and in the Mac and Windows apps, with PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export and real-time co-editing of a chart. Know before choosing: the free Basic plan stops at 15 scores and puts the Flat logo on exports, the pricing page lists MIDI and MusicXML export under the paid Flat Power plan, and no Flat page we found documents a sticking tool.
- Best for
- Songs and charts, Quick grooves, Teaching
- Not for
- Drummers who want an unlimited free tool, since Flat Basic caps the number of scores.
- Someone does it better
- MuseScore Studio is free with no score limit and documents a dedicated sticking tool.
- Free tier
- Flat Basic is free for up to 15 scores with drum pads, offline composing and MusicXML and MIDI import, and its exports and prints carry the Flat logo.
Sources (12)
- Native apps on every platform.
Native apps are available for iOS, Android, Mac & Windows.
source - Drum set staff mapping.
In a percussion part like a drum set, each instrument is associated with a line/notehead combination.
source - Drums-pad entry.
the piano keyboard will be replaced by a drums-pad, that will show all the instruments available in the edited part.
source - PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export.
Open the score, click Export, and choose PDF. MIDI and MusicXML are also available
source - Free plan limit.
Limited to 15 scores
source - Free plan exports carry a logo.
Export and print with the Flat logo
source - MIDI input.
Transcribe with your MIDI devices
source - Education plan with classroom features.
This offer includes all our premium features plus dedicated education features: classes, assignments
source
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Guitar Pro 8 writes drum parts in standard notation or drum tab inside a full band arrangement, with a Drum View kit panel, an imported audio track to transcribe against by ear, and PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export. Know before choosing: it is desktop only, Arobas says it does not transcribe audio automatically, and its separate mobile app cannot edit drum tracks.
- Best for
- Songs and charts, Transcribe audio, Read and play along
- Not for
- Drummers who want to write on a phone or tablet, since the Guitar Pro mobile app cannot edit drum tracks.
- Someone does it better
- MuseScore Studio does the same desktop drum notation job for free and adds a dedicated sticking tool.
- Free tier
- A free demo for 7 days; there is no permanent free tier.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Thomann 142 ratings, 4.7. Maker
Sources (14)
- Drum notation follows a standard kit layout.
You’ll find 27 drum sounds that respect traditional Agostini notation
source - Audio track to transcribe against.
You can import an audio file containing a drum track or other instruments to support your writing process.
source - No automatic audio transcription.
No, this feature is not available at the moment.
source - Free demo.
Download the free demo for 7 days
source - Drum View panel.
provides a visual interface for composing your drum parts.
source - MIDI capture.
enter your score note by note by connecting a MIDI instrument such as a keyboard, MIDI guitar, or controller
source - MIDI and MusicXML import and export.
Import and export of ASCII and MIDI files as well as MusicXML
source - PDF export.
Export of PDF and PNG as well as MP3, WAV, FLAC and Ogg files
source
6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Dorico treats a drum set as a real kit with its own staff positions, takes input from a MIDI keyboard or e-kit through the General MIDI percussion map, offers drum pads on iPad, and its SE edition is free for up to eight players. Know before choosing: Steinberg's own manual says there is no dedicated sticking feature yet, so R and L go in as lyrics.
- Best for
- Band and pro scores, Songs and charts, Actually free, MIDI from an e-kit
- Not for
- Drummers who want to sketch grooves on a phone or an Android device, since Dorico runs only on Mac, Windows and iPad.
- Someone does it better
- MuseScore Studio has a dedicated sticking tool and also runs on Linux, at no cost.
- Free tier
- Dorico SE on Mac and Windows is free forever for up to eight players, and Dorico for iPad is free for up to four players, or eight after free registration.
- Stores
- App Store 4.6 (2k) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (15)
- SE is free.
Free to use, forever
source - SE player limit.
the perfect starting point for producing beautiful scores for up to eight players.
source - Drum set notation in SE.
Explore advanced notations, including drum set percussion, guitar tablature, chord symbols
source - Input methods and playback.
Input with the mouse, your computer keyboard, or a MIDI keyboard, and hear it all played back beautifully through HALion Sonic.
source - PDF export in SE.
Share your music as PDFs and MP3s
source - Editions and platforms.
Dorico is available for iPad, and for macOS and Windows in three editions
source - MIDI and MusicXML.
Dorico can import MIDI and MusicXML, and export MIDI, MusicXML, audio, and graphics.
source - Kit staff positions.
on a drum set, the bass drum is normally positioned in the bottom space of the staff
source
7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Sibelius (First, Artist, Ultimate and Sibelius for mobile)
Avid · desktop · macOS, Windows, iOS, Android · freemium
Sibelius puts drum parts on a drum staff driven by each instrument's drum map, takes MIDI keyboard input including real-time Flexi-time, and the Ultimate tier adds worksheets and a classroom control window for drum teachers. Know before choosing: the free First tier is capped at 8 staves, and the Android app is rated 3.0 from 522 reviews against 4.2 on iOS.
- Best for
- Band and pro scores, Teaching, Songs and charts
- Not for
- Drummers who need more than 8 staves without paying, since only Sibelius First is free.
- Someone does it better
- MuseScore Studio offers a full desktop editor with a dedicated sticking tool for free, with no staff limit.
- Free tier
- Sibelius First is free and, per the mobile app's 2025.7 release notes, writes scores of up to 8 staves.
- Stores
- App Store 4.2 (2k) listing. Google Play 3.0 (522) listing. Thomann: Sibelius Ultimate Perpetual 16 ratings, 4.4; Sibelius Artist Perpetual 39 ratings, 3.9. Maker
Sources (17)
- Free First tier and paid tiers.
From the introductory (and free) Sibelius First to the industry-standard Sibelius Ultimate
source - First staff limit (2025.7 notes).
Sibelius First now supports up to 8 staves, and includes Alto and Tenor clefs
source - Real-time MIDI input on mobile.
Record music using a MIDI keyboard in real-time using Flexi-time
source - MusicXML import.
Huge improvements in score layout when opening MusicXML files from other music applications
source - Playback.
Sibelius includes a high-quality sample library
source - Android and Chromebook app.
Sibelius brings professional music notation to Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks
source - Drum staff and drum map.
onto the drum staff you’re pasting onto, including the correct noteheads
source - Drum map per instrument.
a pitch that isn’t defined in the instrument’s drum map
source
9 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Finale still writes full drum set parts on a percussion staff with playback, MIDI keyboard entry, stickings typed with the Lyrics tool, and PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export. Know before choosing it that MakeMusic ended development in August 2024, stopped selling it, ended technical support in August 2025 and says macOS Sequoia is not compatible, so it only makes sense if you already own a license and want to finish or export old charts.
- Best for
- Band and pro scores
- Not for
- Anyone without an existing license, since Finale can no longer be bought and gets no updates or support.
- Someone does it better
- Dorico, which MakeMusic itself recommends to Finale users, still gets development, product updates and long-term support, while Finale gets none.
- Free tier
- Nothing new: Finale is no longer sold and has no trial, though people who bought it can still re-download their purchased version from their account.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (14)
- Development ended and no new updates.
There will be no further updates to Finale, or any of its associated tools (PrintMusic, Notepad, Songwriter)
source - Existing owners can still authorize new devices.
Authorization of Finale on new devices will continue indefinitely.
source - Owners can still download what they bought.
the Finale installer for any previously purchased version can still be downloaded from your eStore account
source - MusicXML export.
you will be able to export your Finale files using MusicXML 4.0
source - Dorico crossgrade now only from Steinberg.
Effective July 23, 2026, the Finale to Dorico crossgrade is no longer available from the Finale eStore.
source - Technical support ended.
MakeMusic will continue providing technical support for Finale v27.4.1 on supported operating systems through August 25th, 2025.
source - macOS Sequoia not supported.
this operating system does not meet the system requirements for Finale and is not compatible
source - Drum set percussion staves with playback.
creating music for drum set, orchestral percussion, or a drum line, you can easily create, notate, and play percussion parts
source
6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Fender Notion
Fender (formerly PreSonus) · app · iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux · freemium
Fender Notion, the former PreSonus Notion, gives a drummer a five-line drumset staff, 12 on-screen drum pads, MIDI instrument entry and sampled drum playback, with PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export in the free version. Know before choosing it that it is now one free app across phones, tablets and computers, and its store ratings are low at 3.1 on the App Store and 3.6 on Google Play.
- Best for
- Songs and charts, Quick grooves, Actually free
- Not for
- Drummers who want a dedicated sticking tool, since the user guide documents none.
- Someone does it better
- Soundslice has a dedicated R, L and B sticking tool, while Notion's user guide documents no sticking tool.
- Free tier
- Unlimited staves, all editing features, core sounds including a drum set, and export to MIDI, PDF, MusicXML and audio, with MusicXML on Android needing a free sign-in; handwriting and extra sounds are a paid bundle.
Sources (10)
- Works offline across devices.
As a native cross-platform app, you can work offline and sync across devices via your preferred cloud
source - Windows build via Microsoft Store.
Windows Devices: Microsoft Store
source - Native Linux build.
Linux: Download ARM64 installer or AMD64 installer
source - Drumset staff type.
a five-line staff with percussion clef
source - Drum labels on the drumset staff.
If you are entering drum notes on a drumset staff, the drum label will also appear under your finger
source - On-screen drum pads.
A set of 12 colour-coded Drum Pads are available when a drum instrument is selected.
source - MIDI instrument entry.
Connect a wired or Bluetooth MIDI instrument for use in Step/Real Time entry
source - Free exports on iOS.
Export as MusicXML, Compressed MusicXML, MIDI, PDF, wav, mp3
source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Noteflight's Drum Kit instrument writes on a 5-line percussion staff with fixed drum assignments, plays it back, and exports PDF, MIDI and MusicXML from a browser, with MIDI controller entry in Chrome. Know before choosing it that the free Basic account stops at 10 scores, so regular use means a Premium or Learn subscription, and the user guide documents no dedicated sticking tool.
- Best for
- Teaching, Songs and charts
- Not for
- Drummers who want a free home for a growing library of charts, since Basic is capped at 10 saved scores.
- Someone does it better
- Soundslice has native R, L and B sticking entry, which Noteflight's user guide does not document.
- Free tier
- A free Basic account gives the basic browser editor with a small cap on saved scores; Premium and the classroom product Learn are paid subscriptions.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
- Drum Kit on a percussion staff.
The "Drum Kit" instrument uses a 5-line percussion staff with a fixed set of assignments from staff lines to drum sounds.
source - PDF export.
Scores may be exported as PDF files.
source - MusicXML support.
Because Noteflight supports MusicXML, you can easily move scores between Noteflight and another
source - MIDI input browser limits.
In the HTML5 version of Noteflight, MIDI currently works only with Google Chrome on Windows, Mac OS and Linux (iOS is not supported).
source - Export formats.
Export to PDF, MIDI, WAV, MP3 and more
source - MIDI controller entry.
You can use any MIDI controller/keyboard that connects to a computer via USB with Noteflight.
source - Free Basic tier cap.
sign up for a free Noteflight Basic account and gain access to our basic editor, create up to 10 scores
source - Classroom assignments in Noteflight Learn.
Sync classes and assignments with Google Classroom and other learning management systems
source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Soundslice gives a drummer a five-line or one-line drum kit staff with custom percussion maps, native R, L and B stickings, and notation synced to a YouTube video or recording, which makes it strong for transcribing a song by ear and then practicing along with it. Know before choosing it that it does not transcribe audio automatically, and syncing to your own uploaded recordings, PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export and MIDI keyboard entry need a paid plan.
- Best for
- Transcribe audio, Read and play along, Songs and charts
- Not for
- Anyone who wants audio turned into drum notation automatically, since Soundslice says plainly that it does not do that.
- Someone does it better
- Groove Scribe prints and downloads MIDI for free, while Soundslice puts PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export behind its paid plan.
- Free tier
- The full notation and tab editor with unlimited slices, playback, MusicXML and Guitar Pro import, YouTube syncing and a small monthly allowance of scanned pages; exports, MIDI keyboard entry and secret-link sharing need a paid plan.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (11)
- Five-line and one-line percussion staves.
We support both five-line and single-line percussion, along with the common percussion noteheads.
source - Native drum sticking.
Sticking instructions tell a percussionist which hand to use when performing a given note.
source - No automatic transcription.
Does Soundslice transcribe automatically? No.
source - MIDI keyboard entry.
If you connect a MIDI keyboard to your computer, you can use that keyboard to enter notes via our editor.
source - MIDI entry is paid.
This feature is limited to people in a paid plan
source - MIDI export (paid column only).
Export your created slices as MIDI
source - PDF export (paid column only).
Export your created slices as PDF (for printing)
source - MusicXML import.
Import music from other programs (MusicXML, Guitar Pro, etc.)
source
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Groove Scribe lets a drummer click notes into a row per drum, hear the groove with a metronome, count-in and auto speed-up, show R and L stickings, then print it, download MIDI or share it as a link, all free in the browser. Know before choosing it that it is built for grooves and short exercises rather than full multi-instrument charts, and it exports no MusicXML.
- Best for
- Quick grooves, Actually free
- Not for
- Anyone who needs MusicXML to move parts into other notation software, since its export menu offers only a link, print, images and MIDI.
- Someone does it better
- Beam uses the same tap-a-grid idea but adds worksheet layouts, setlists and student folders for teachers.
- Free tier
- Everything: the grid editor, playback with metronome, stickings, printing, MIDI and image downloads, and share links, open source under GPL v2.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (7)
- Point and click drum notation and practice tool.
Groove Scribe is a point and click authoring system to create drum sheet music as well as a practice tool
source - Create, listen, share, print.
GrooveScribe allows drummers to easily create grooves, listen, share, print sheet music, and more.
source - MIDI download.
Download MIDI file
source - Stickings.
Reverse stickings R/L
source - Share by URL.
Sharing is simple with a URL, and the recipient can view the groove in any web browser.
source - Playback with metronome.
MIDI playback with tempo and a metronome makes it easy to hear and practice difficult grooves.
source - Open source license.
GrooveScribe is open source and is licensed under the GPL v2.0
source
Beam is a browser drum notation tool where you tap a step grid per drum and it engraves real notation with ghost notes, flams, R and L stickings, worksheet layouts and sampled drum playback, and it can be installed to a home screen and opened offline. Know before choosing it that the free plan is capped at 10 charts with PDF export reserved for Pro, and it documents no MIDI or MusicXML export.
- Best for
- Quick grooves, Teaching
- Not for
- Anyone who needs to move charts into a DAW or other notation software, since it documents no MIDI or MusicXML export.
- Someone does it better
- Groove Scribe is completely free with no chart cap and downloads MIDI files, which Beam does not document.
- Free tier
- The complete step-grid editor with sampled playback, the rhythm generator, live and snapshot share links, PNG export and sync, limited to a capped number of charts; PDF export, setlists and teacher tools are paid.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (9)
- Step-grid drum notation.
Write drum notation as fast as you can tap it.
source - Browser only, any device.
Phone, tablet and desktop, right in the browser. Nothing to download.
source - PDF export on Pro.
Export a whole chart as a print-ready PDF.
source - Share links.
Send a live link that updates as you edit, or a snapshot that keeps working even if you change or delete the original.
source - Playback with real samples.
Hear any chart played back with real sampled drums, with a metronome, tempo control, bar-range looping
source - Stickings.
Tap Stickings above the bar, then tap a note to label it R, L or B (right hand, left hand or both).
source - Offline once installed.
charts that open even when you're offline
source - Teacher worksheets.
Build worksheets where each exercise runs two or four bars, not just one.
source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Aered is a drums-only desktop editor for Windows and Mac where you click notes onto the staff with a live preview, label right and left sticking with keyboard shortcuts, hear playback with swappable drum samples, and export PDF or WAV. Know before choosing it that its pages were last updated in 2022 and 2023, its listed Mac requirement is Mac OS X 10.6 or later, and it exports no MIDI or MusicXML, so try the free version on your machine first.
- Best for
- Songs and charts
- Not for
- Anyone who needs MIDI or MusicXML export, since Aered exports only PDF and WAV audio.
- Someone does it better
- Beam runs in any browser on phone, tablet or desktop and shares charts by live link, while Aered is a desktop program whose product and manual pages were last updated in 2022 and 2023.
- Free tier
- The full editor with playback and PDF export, but each printed page carries grey text at the top right until you buy a registration code.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (11)
- Drum-only notation editor.
Aered is a sheet music editor specifically designed for drummers.
source - Windows and Mac.
Aered is available for Windows and Mac.
source - Click entry.
You can therefore place notes with single clicks
source - Playback.
High quality audio playback
source - Pay what you want.
You can get Aered for free or purchase it for a price of your choice.
source - System requirements.
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11; or Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
source - Stickings.
press U to label it as a right stick hit and Y for a left stick hit
source - PDF export.
exports the current document to a pdf file suitable for printing
source
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Musink is Windows notation software built around the drum kit: you click notes onto a drum stave, add stickings, flams, ghost notes and half-open hi-hat marks in one click, and publish exercise books to PDF, while Pro adds MIDI import, export and note entry from an electronic kit. Before choosing it, know that it runs only on Windows and its site still shows a 2021 copyright and an old Black Friday code, so confirm it is still maintained before paying for Pro.
- Best for
- Teaching, Songs and charts, MIDI from an e-kit
- Not for
- Not for Mac, Linux or mobile users, or for anyone who needs MusicXML to move scores into other notation software.
- Someone does it better
- MuseScore Studio is free on macOS, Windows and Linux and imports and exports MusicXML, where Musink is Windows only and documents no MusicXML.
- Free tier
- Musink Lite is a free Windows download with the fundamental notation and drum features; Musink Pro, sold as a subscription or a one-time eternal license, adds MIDI import, export and input plus the template editor.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Trustpilot 20 reviews, 4.6. Maker
Sources (11)
- Lite is free, Pro is the paid tier.
Musink Lite is a free download. Musink Pro boasts professional features beyond those of Musink Lite.
source - Pro can be bought once instead of subscribed.
Pay once. Use forever.
source - Windows only.
Musink requires Windows 10, 11, or later.
source - Drum symbols including sticking.
Whether you're after HOH, sticking, buzz rolls, flams, or ghost notes, Musink has you covered with a single click.
source - Sticking marks on notes.
Left and Right sticking marks
source - Drum map for percussion noteheads and playback.
Download a Musink Project of the full Musink drum map, above
source - Pro note entry from an electronic kit.
Enter notes using your electric kit
source - Pro MIDI file import and export.
Import and Export MIDI
source
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
DrumToolz writes drum set parts and marching snare, tenor and bass drum parts on an editable score with stickings, flams and diddles, plays them back, exports PDF and MusicXML, and generates practice variations from what you enter. It is iPhone and iPad only, caps a score at 50 measures, and the maker says you must already read music.
- Best for
- Quick grooves, Actually free
- Not for
- Not for full song charts or band scores: a score stops at 50 measures, and there is no Android or desktop version.
- Someone does it better
- Flat.io edits the same score on iPhone, iPad, Mac and in a web browser and imports MusicXML and MIDI files.
- Free tier
- Everything: the maker says it is free and the App Store lists no in-app purchases.
- Stores
- App Store 4.3 (310) listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (8)
- Editable score for drum set and marching parts.
all shown on an editable music score
source - Stickings and ornaments.
Lastly, top off the notes with ornaments: stickings, accents, flams, diddles, and cheese.
source - Score length limit.
Input up to 50 measures.
source - PDF sharing.
Share your beats through PDF links and files.
source - MusicXML export (version 1.20 notes).
Bluetooth support. Export as musicxml.
source - Social profile and library of other drummers' beats.
Upload your beats to your profile. Find and follow other drummers in the social network.
source - Playback.
If you can think of the rhythm, you can input it and play it back!
source - Requires reading music.
Yes, you must know how to read music.
source
DrumScore turns taps on a grid of kit pieces into engraved drum notation that you can hear back, print, or export as PDF, MIDI or images. It launched in early 2026 from a small China-based developer, has almost no ratings yet, and neither store listing says what its paid Premium subscription adds.
- Best for
- Quick grooves
- Not for
- Not for anyone who wants a proven app: it launched in 2026, has one App Store rating and no displayed Google Play rating.
- Someone does it better
- Flat.io has a far longer track record, with about 6,900 App Store ratings against DrumScore's one, and states MusicXML import outright.
- Free tier
- A free download with the grid editor; the App Store sells Premium monthly, quarterly and annual subscriptions, and neither store listing says what Premium unlocks.
Sources (7)
- Grid entry.
the main interface adopts an intuitive grid block design
source - Drum set notation rules and sounds.
built-in standard drum set sounds and notation rules
source - Playback.
Supports real-time audio preview
source - Image export and printing.
the completed drum sheet can be exported as a high-definition image format and also supports printing function
source - PDF and MIDI export (maker site, EN language switch).
One-click export to MIDI, XML, PDF, or HD images. Seamless integration with major DAWs.
source - Tap input and real-time recording (maker site, EN language switch).
Intuitive grid editor supporting tap input and real-time recording.
source - Premium is a subscription.
DrumScore Premium Annual
source
Sakudoka lets you tap a single bar of a drum groove onto a staff, covering hi-hat, snare, kick, toms, crash, ride and foot hi-hat with accents, flams and open hi-hat marks, and saves it as a PNG image. It handles one measure only with no documented playback or other export, and its maker warns the notation may follow Japanese conventions.
- Best for
- Quick grooves, Actually free
- Not for
- Not for anything longer than one bar, or for anyone who needs to hear the groove or export it as PDF or MIDI.
- Someone does it better
- DrumScore, also free to download on Android, plays grooves back and exports whole scores to PDF and MIDI.
- Free tier
- Everything: there are no in-app purchases, ads were removed in version 5.7.0, and a developer support menu is voluntary.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play no rating yet listing. Maker
Sources (6)
- One measure image editor.
You can quickly and easily edit a drum score image of one measure.
source - Kit pieces available.
Currently, only Crash cymbal, Ride cymbal, Hi-hat cymbal, Snare drum, High tom, Low tom, Floor tom, Bass drum and Foot hi-hat can be entered.
source - Only output is a PNG image.
Press the score image output button to save the score as a PNG image.
source - Marks available, no stickings.
You can add or remove hi-hat open mark, accent mark and flam mark.
source - Ads removed in 5.7.0 (2025-03-01).
Ads have been removed.
source - Japanese notation conventions.
Since the developer of this app is Japanese, the drum score may use notation that is not used in other countries.
source
Drum Charter lets you type grooves as text, x for hi-hat, o for snare and Q for kick, then shows them as a grid or as staff notation, plays them back, exports PDF, MusicXML and MIDI, and scores your timing from an e-drum kit in Practice Mode. It is new with no displayed ratings, Apple only, and limited to 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8.
- Best for
- Songs and charts, Read and play along, Actually free
- Not for
- Not for drummers who want to tap or drag notes onto a staff, need odd time signatures, or use Android or Windows.
- Someone does it better
- Musink Pro records notes straight into notation from an electronic kit, which Drum Charter does not document.
- Free tier
- Everything: the App Store lists it as free with no in-app purchases.
- Stores
- App Store no rating yet listing. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
- Text entry.
Simple ASCII symbols represent drums: 'x' for hi-hat, 'o' for snare, 'Q' for kick.
source - Staff notation view.
Read the same chart as real drum notation on a five-line staff
source - Playback.
High-quality drum sounds powered by FluidR3_GM soundfont.
source - PDF export.
Export as PDF
source - MusicXML export.
Export to MuseScore, Sibelius, Finale and more
source - MIDI export.
Export as Standard MIDI Files with two-voice layout.
source - Native Mac build.
Mac (macOS 12.0 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel)
source - E-drum practice mode.
A full-screen practice room for your e-drums.
source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Drum2Notes listens to a drum recording, an MP3 or a YouTube link and writes out kick, snare, toms and cymbals as drum notation you can play back and download as PDF, MIDI or MusicXML. The free demo stops at 20 seconds with PDF only, it needs an internet connection, Klangio's own listings disagree on how well it copes with other instruments in the mix, and its Google Play rating is 1.9 from 46 reviews.
- Best for
- Transcribe audio
- Not for
- Not for writing your own grooves from scratch, for offline use, or for anyone unwilling to pay past a 20 second demo.
- Someone does it better
- Drum Charter exports full PDF, MIDI and MusicXML for free with no time limit, though you write the part yourself.
- Free tier
- Unlimited demo transcriptions of the first 20 seconds of a recording, with PDF download only and Edit Mode switched off; full transcriptions use tickets that come monthly with a subscription.
Sources (9)
- AI transcription of drum parts.
Detects and writes down snare, toms, bass drum and different cymbals
source - Exports.
Export as PDF, MIDI, or MusicXML
source - Playback.
Listen to playback of your transcription
source - Sharing.
Share your drum sheet with your friends
source - Needs internet.
Internet: active internet connection for server connectivity
source - iOS listing warns about mixed instruments.
If you record multiple instruments playing simultaneously, you will get bad sheet music results!
source - Play listing claims it handles mixed instruments.
Transcribes drums even when other instruments are present
source - Free demo limit.
The duration of the transcription is limited to 20 seconds.
source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
