Freedom251 › Music notation software
Symphony Pro
What Symphony Pro is
Symphony Pro is a music notation app for composing, editing, viewing and playing scores on iPad, with a macOS version for Apple Silicon devices from the M1 generation. It supports standard notation and tablature, with scores holding up to 64 instruments, 45 staves and four voices or layers. The app imports MusicXML, MIDI, MXL and Symphony files, and exports PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, AAC and Symphony files. Playback includes more than 100 instruments, real-time part recording, looping and per-track MIDI output. Users can extract parts, connect MIDI input, use AirPlay, and back up or sync through iCloud. A free iPhone app is available to owners for viewing, editing, playback, import and export. Handwriting recognition is a paid feature, recognizing notation written with Apple Pencil, touch or a capacitive stylus. VoiceOver and dedicated QWERTY commands are listed accessibility features. SyMusOMR is an active beta for converting score images, but currently does not recognize tablature, lyrics, chord symbols, titles or free-form annotations.
Who it suits
Symphony Pro suits composers, arrangers and performers creating notation or tablature on Apple devices. It is also useful for users needing MusicXML, MIDI, playback and part-extraction workflows.
What it does well
- Supports notation and tablature
- Imports and exports major score formats
- Over 100 built-in instruments
- Part extraction and MIDI output
- Free iPhone app for owners
What to know first
- Handwriting recognition is paid
- Mac version requires Apple Silicon
- SyMusOMR beta has recognition limits
- No listed prices for plans
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Handwriting Recognition Tool | Apple Pencil and touch handwriting recognition | On request |
| Symphony Pro | The only paid feature is Handwriting; its price is not stated on the pages opened. | On request |
| Handwriting upgrade | One-time purchase; the page does not state the price. · Enables handwriting recognition; free updates in the future. | On request |
As symphonypro.net lists them, read 19 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Symphony Pro combines full score editing, playback, file exchange and Apple-device integration. Its free core plan and paid handwriting option give users a choice, while the beta image-conversion tool remains limited.
Facts from Symphony Pro's own pages
- Accessibility
- The feature page lists VoiceOver support and dedicated QWERTY key commands for users with vision impairments. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Beta limits
- The current SyMusOMR beta does not recognize tablature, lyrics, chord symbols, titles, or free-form annotation text. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- both · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- File formats
- It imports MusicXML, MIDI, MXL, and Symphony files, and exports PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, AAC, and Symphony files. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- Handwriting
- The Handwriting tool recognizes notation written with Apple Pencil, touch, or a capacitive stylus; it is the only paid feature identified on the product pages. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The app supports MIDI input, AirPlay streaming or screen sharing, and iCloud backup and sync. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- iPhone
- Owners of Symphony Pro can download the iPhone app free of charge, with project viewing, editing, playback, import, and export. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Mac
- Version 6 is available on macOS devices with Apple Silicon, starting with the M1 generation. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The product site identifies Xenon Labs, LLC; its About page names Philip Lee as lead developer and CEO and gives no headquarters or founding year. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yes · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yes · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- Notation
- Users can create and edit standard notation or tablature, with up to 64 instruments, 45 staves, and four voices or layers per score. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Parts extraction
- Yes · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- Playback
- The app includes more than 100 built-in instruments and supports real-time part recording, looping, and per-track MIDI output. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Symphony Pro is a music notation app for composing, editing, viewing, and playing scores on iPad. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email, user manual, and community forums; the manual says the team aims to assist seven days a week. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Tablature support
- Yes · symphonypro.net, 19 Sept 2026
- Upcoming capability
- SyMusOMR is an active beta for converting score images into editable notation, and the maker says it is planned for a future Symphony Pro update and a standalone app. · symphonypro.net, 11 Oct 2026
Where Symphony Pro stands on Freedom251
- Music notation software#17 of 38