What is the best free music notation software?

MuseScore Studio is the strongest free option, open source under GPL-3.0 with no limitations described on its site. Flat's desktop app is also free to download.

Which notation software suits professional engraving?

Sibelius and Dorico Pro are built for professional engraving. Dorico Pro adds the publishing options that publishers need, and Sibelius includes part generation on its Ultimate tier. LilyPond is also a strong option for printed layout, but it is text-based.

Can I write music on an iPad with a pen?

StaffPad converts handwritten notation on iPad and Windows 10 devices. Sibelius, Dorico, Flat and MuseScore also have iPad or iPhone apps.

Which notation tools work in a browser?

Flat and Noteflight both run in a browser. Noteflight is browser-only, and Flat also has desktop and mobile apps that share scores online.

Best Music Notation Software in 2026: Top 10 Ranked

The ranking

Top pickSibelius92.0
Best with a free planDorico91.0
Best open sourceMuseScore90.5

1
Sibelius
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
WindowsmacOSiPadOS, iOSChromeOSSubscription
92.0of 100
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2
Dorico
A composition-first notation program for Windows and macOS, with a free edition for scores up to eight players and a free iPad app. The Pro edition has the publishing options engravers need, at several times the price of Elements.
Best for Composing and arranging, with a free starter edition
WindowsmacOSiPadOSFree plan, paid upgrades
91.0of 100
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3
MuseScore
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
WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidFree and open sourceOpen source
90.5of 100
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4
Flat
Browser-based notation with real-time sharing, a free desktop app for Mac and Windows, and web and mobile apps. Advanced features sit behind a subscription, and its engraving controls are lighter than Sibelius's.
Best for Shared scores in the browser
macOSWindowsWebiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
85.5of 100
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5
StaffPad
Handwriting recognition turns pen notes into typeset scores on iPad and Windows 10, with audio import and tempo mapping. It needs a pen-enabled device, and Go Pro unlocks more features.
Best for Handwritten composition on iPad
iPadOSWindowsFree plan, paid upgrades
83.0of 100
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6
Noteflight
An online notation editor with a free start, cloud sharing and a sheet music library in its Premium plan. Scores live in the cloud, and the free tier is less capable than paid desktop notation.
Best for Browser notation with a sheet music library
WebFree plan, paid upgrades
80.0of 100
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7
LilyPond
Free GPLv3 text-based engraving that produces printed scores with exact control. It has a steep learning curve, and its download page lists Linux and Windows builds only.
Best for Exact typeset scores from text files
LinuxWindowsFree and open sourceOpen source
78.5of 100
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8
capella
A full notation program for Windows and Mac with three entry modes, sold as a licence or a subscription. It has no free plan beyond the 15-day trial, so MuseScore and LilyPond in this list are the choices for anyone who needs a free tool.
Best for Composing with typed, clicked or direct note entry
WindowsmacOSPaid
76.0of 100
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9
Guitar Pro
Tab and sheet music editor for guitar, bass, drums and piano, on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, sold as a paid desktop licence. It is tablature-first, so Sibelius and MuseScore suit full orchestral scores better.
Best for Guitar and bass tablature on desktop and mobile
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidPaid
75.5of 100
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10
TablEdit
Tablature and standard notation for fretted instruments on Windows and macOS, with a free demo before buying. It is built around guitar tabs, so for full orchestral scores Dorico and Sibelius are the broader programs.
Best for Guitar and fretted-instrument tablature
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidPaid
74.0of 100
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At a glance

Product	Score	Price	Platforms
Sibelius	92.0	Subscription	WindowsmacOSiPadOS, iOSChromeOS
Dorico	91.0	Free plan, paid upgrades	WindowsmacOSiPadOS
MuseScore	90.5	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
Flat	85.5	Free plan, paid upgrades	macOSWindowsWebiOSAndroid
StaffPad	83.0	Free plan, paid upgrades	iPadOSWindows
Noteflight	80.0	Free plan, paid upgrades	Web
LilyPond	78.5	Free and open source	LinuxWindows
capella	76.0	Paid	WindowsmacOS
Guitar Pro	75.5	Paid	WindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
TablEdit	74.0	Paid	WindowsmacOSiOSAndroid

How to choose music notation software

Engraving: Sibelius and LilyPond are the strongest for printed layout; MuseScore is capable but has fewer engraving tools than Sibelius.
Input method: StaffPad takes pen and touch input, and MuseScore accepts MIDI keyboard input.
Cost: MuseScore and LilyPond are free; Flat and Noteflight are free to start; Sibelius is a subscription or a perpetual bundle.
Platform: Sibelius runs on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook, while LilyPond is listed for Linux and Windows.

What the scores weigh

Engraving and layout quality
Input methods
Sharing and collaboration
Platform coverage
Price and license

Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure

About music notation software

Notation software turns notes into printed or shared sheet music. The best-known programs focus on engraving, meaning the layout and typesetting that reads well on paper. Sibelius is built for composers and publishers, with unlimited staves and cloud sharing on its top tier. MuseScore Studio is free and open source, and it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android.

Other tools take different routes. Flat and Noteflight are browser-first editors that let people share and play scores online. StaffPad converts handwriting into notation on an iPad or Windows device, and LilyPond compiles scores written as text files.

The scores are editorial judgments against the criteria below. Engraving quality and input method matter most, because a free tool that cannot produce clean printed parts costs its user time later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free music notation software?: MuseScore Studio is the strongest free option, open source under GPL-3.0 with no limitations described on its site. Flat's desktop app is also free to download.
Which notation software suits professional engraving?: Sibelius and Dorico Pro are built for professional engraving. Dorico Pro adds the publishing options that publishers need, and Sibelius includes part generation on its Ultimate tier. LilyPond is also a strong option for printed layout, but it is text-based.
Can I write music on an iPad with a pen?: StaffPad converts handwritten notation on iPad and Windows 10 devices. Sibelius, Dorico, Flat and MuseScore also have iPad or iPhone apps.
Which notation tools work in a browser?: Flat and Noteflight both run in a browser. Noteflight is browser-only, and Flat also has desktop and mobile apps that share scores online.