{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "musescore",
            "name": "MuseScore",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://musescore.org/en",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/musescore",
            "tagline": "Free, open-source music notation software for desktop and mobile",
            "summary": "MuseScore Studio is free, open-source music notation software for composing, arranging and printing scores on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is released under GPL-3.0, and mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android are also available.",
            "developer": "MuseScore Ltd",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "linux",
                "ios",
                "android"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source under GPL-3.0; no limitations described by the site",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-3.0",
            "source": "https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore",
            "strengths": [
                "Free with no limitations",
                "Open source under GPL-3.0"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Fewer professional engraving tools than Sibelius"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "MuseScore Studio is a full notation editor with a score canvas, MIDI keyboard input, playback and import and export with other programs. The site describes the software as completely free with no limitations, and its community builds and maintains it. Its source is on GitHub under GPL-3.0, and releases are published on the download page.\n\nMuseScore is free to use and has a large user base among students and hobby musicians. Its engraving tools are less complete than Sibelius's for large professional projects, so publishers with complex layouts may need a paid program."
        },
        {
            "slug": "sibelius",
            "name": "Sibelius",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.avid.com/sibelius",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/sibelius",
            "tagline": "Notation software for composers, arrangers and engravers",
            "summary": "Sibelius is professional music notation software from Avid for composing, arranging and engraving scores. It runs on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook and is sold as yearly subscriptions in Artist and Ultimate tiers, or as a perpetual bundle.",
            "developer": "Avid",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "ipados",
                "ios",
                "chromeos"
            ],
            "pricing": "subscription",
            "price_note": "Artist $99 a year; Ultimate $199 a year; Ultimate perpetual bundle $899",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Strong score layout and part generation",
                "Runs on Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Yearly subscription for most tiers",
                "Artist tier limits staves and cloud scores"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Sibelius focuses on score layout and part generation, which Avid says automates complex layout and dynamic part extraction. The Ultimate tier adds unlimited staves, unlimited cloud sharing, complete engraving features and video sync with timecode. The Artist tier limits scores to 24 staves and includes cloud sharing for 20 scores.\n\nAvid sells Sibelius by yearly subscription, and a perpetual Ultimate bundle is available for buyers who prefer a single payment. The product is offered across Mac, Windows, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook. Sibelius suits professional engraving and publishing more directly than free tools such as MuseScore."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only MuseScore runs on Linux.",
        "Only MuseScore runs on Android.",
        "MuseScore is open source; Sibelius is not.",
        "MuseScore has a free plan or free version; Sibelius does not.",
        "MuseScore: free and open source. Sibelius: subscription."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "music-notation-software",
            "name": "Music notation software",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/music-notation-software",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "musescore",
                    "rank": 3,
                    "score": 90.5,
                    "verdict": "Free, open-source notation software for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android, with MIDI input and no limitations described. Its engraving tools are less complete than Sibelius's.",
                    "best_for": "Free notation for students and hobbyists",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "sibelius",
                    "rank": 1,
                    "score": 92,
                    "verdict": "Professional notation with complete engraving, automatic part generation and video sync on its Ultimate tier. It is paid by yearly subscription or a perpetual bundle, and the Artist tier limits staves.",
                    "best_for": "Professional engraving and part extraction",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Subscription from $99 a year"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "sibelius",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/musescore-vs-sibelius",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/musescore-vs-sibelius.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}