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Music notation software

Posted by Notater on 8/24/2025, 7:20 am

I haven't used music notation software in a while. Was a big Sibelius user back in the day. It's my understanding there are more options now. Would like to know options and costs. Thanks in advance.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Flat on 8/25/2025, 2:00 pm, in reply to "Music notation software"

I absolutely love Flat. Its very user friendly, and frankly their customer service has been great the few times I have needed their help to resolve issues. I still use Finale from time to time while I still can. Honestly: Flat does maybe 90% of what I need for notation. Layouts are not great, and sometimes I end up exporting into finale just to print something out in a better layout. But for simple part rewrites, creating accompaniment files, short excerpts, its pretty darn good. Playback is not as good as Musescore, that doesnt bother me much. Most of these programs have free options so you can at least get a decent idea of what each one does.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Okay... on 8/25/2025, 10:08 am, in reply to "Music notation software"

I've been a Finale user since Version 2.2 (1993). I am making the switch to Dorico now. Yes, if I need something fast, I'm still using Finale...but as I learn Dorico, I've found that there are some things that are a little more intuitive than it was with Finale. Yes, after 33 years of Finale, breaking speed habits is tough, but I am getting a little faster.

If you can get to the video of the clinic given at TBA about Dorico, it will help reduce the anxiety a bit.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Mithrandir on 8/25/2025, 9:32 am, in reply to "Music notation software"

There is and there isn't more of a choice.
Sibelius and Dorico are the only options as far as "professional" notation software. MuseScore and Flat.io are options that are online.
I would suggest that you figure out what exactly why you need a music notation software. Sibelius has a "free" version that limits you as far as what you can do (called Sibelius First). MuseScore isn't as powerful as Sibelius and Dorico can be, but maybe you don't need that. Flat.io is all online (browser based as far as I know), so by nature it won't be as powerful.
You can still use Finale it just won't be updated anymore.
As far as Me's response I don't think Sibelius is defunct. After Finale's discontinuation Avid has seemed to pay a little more attention (development) towards Sibelius.
To put it simply:
If you want a "professional" full feature software AND don't mind relearning go with Dorico.
If you want a "professional" full feature software AND you had some history/skills with Sibelius stick with Sibelius. (or you don't want to learn a new software)
If you needs don't justify the price or feature set check out MuseScore (or maybe Sibelius First). MuseScore is better than Flat.io, but Flat may have some advantages (e.g.for use with Chromebooks).
Think of it like buying a vehicle. If you're going to be towing large amounts and frequently then you'll need a vehicle that can handle that. If you need it to commute 3 miles to work...you get the picture.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Dorico fan on 8/25/2025, 7:58 am, in reply to "Music notation software"

If you used Sibelius before, you'll be right at home with Dorico. Years ago, Sibelius got bought out, the new owner fired the developers, and those developers went on to create Dorico. It's everything Sibelius wanted to be.

Finale no longer exists and they are pushing people toward Dorico.

I know some people like MuseScore online, or flat.io. They work okay as a free option for students to play around with, or very simple things, but for anything remotely complex they are not powerful enough.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by MS on 8/25/2025, 7:34 am, in reply to "Music notation software"

I used to be a Finale person and started using MuseScore just because it was free and it has come a long way. If it's been awhile I'm sure you'd be able to learn it quickly. The playback audio has really improved as well.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Me on 8/24/2025, 1:37 pm, in reply to "Music notation software"

There are actually fewer options now than ever before. Both Sibellius and Finale are essentially defunct. MuseScore is an option, online.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Me on 8/25/2025, 7:58 am, in reply to "Re: Music notation software"

Sibelius is not defunct. They still have regular updates every year. Now, Avid has certainly made using Sibelius a pain at times, but it's still a great program if you can get past that.

To the OP, the main programs around now are Sibelius (you can purchase a perpetual or subscription license), Dorico (perpetual license only iirc) and MuseScore (free option that I've heard is pretty good if you can live with its limitations).

Sibelius was bought by Avid years ago and has definitely made this not as user friendly, but for the most part the software has been the same since I started using it in 2009. I still prefer it even with Avids BS.

Dorico was created by the team that originally made Sibelius. I've heard friends use it and really like it, but I've never tried it. I've heard it takes getting use to.

MuseScore is easy to download and poke around with. It's pretty intuitive and since it's free, I would recommend you try out that first. Then if you don't like it, look at one of the other two.

Lastly, if you have Finale (RIP) on your computer, it will still work even though it went belly up. There are just no more updates or support for it.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Boohoo on 8/24/2025, 8:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Music notation software"

That's false, there are far more options now.

MuseScore
Flat.io (a student favorite)
Noteflight
MakeMusic
Finale is still operational for those with accounts and downloads
Sibelius is still supported
Dorico
LilyPad for the truly unhinged

There's probably more.

Re: Music notation software

Posted by Oops on 8/26/2025, 5:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Music notation software"

LilyPond* for the truly unhinged

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