5 Best Music Notation Software in 2024

With the best music notation software, you can compose music, alter existing songs, and experiment with new sounds via MIDI controllers.

Some music notation programs can be directly connected to a MIDI device allowing you to record and note down music when you are playing it on any instrument. These programs are really powerful, so you can create many albums using only your laptop. Many programs are capable of inserting your piece of music into larger ensemble compositions and you can check the sound of each specific instrument.

Top 5 Music Notation Software

  1. Notion 6 - Intuitive workflow
  2. MuseScore - Clean and easy design
  3. Sibelius First - Easy sharing of compositions
  4. Finale PrintMusic - For beginners
  5. Forte Home - Comes with a handy free app

Some music notation programs can be directly connected to a MIDI device allowing you to record and note down music when you are playing it on any instrument. These programs are really powerful, so you can create many albums using only your laptop.

Many programs are capable of inserting your piece of music into larger ensemble compositions and you can check the sound of each specific instrument.

1. Notion 6 - Our Choice

Intuitive workflow
  • Super realistic instrument samples
  • Very easy to set up and start using
  • Tablet and phone compatibility
  • Uses a lot of hard drive space

Verdict: Notion 6 gives you almost all of the same features as most digital pianos or digital keyboard. It has a digital display, which makes it easy to compose new compositions or find the necessary notes if you need them. Notion 6 has a function to "split" chords, so you can do more than just playing them together.

Notion 6 lets me see my entire composition on the screen at once. It also gives you a virtual keyboard, which makes it easy to play some of your compositions. This music transcription software also gives you a function for creating new notes, so you get more freedom and a larger expressive palette in your compositions. Notion 6 also includes musical software that allows you to learn some of the more exotic notes and chord symbols.

notion 6 interface

2. MuseScore

Clean and easy design
  • Good selection of input/output features
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Free download
  • No volume mixer
  • Limited support

Verdict: MuseScore music notation software is an excellent choice for almost any musician who wishes to learn how to read music scores. The reason why this kind of software is so popular among musicians and students alike is that it is very user friendly. It can also save you a lot of time and money, because it will allow you to easily create handwritten notes and tablature on the fly.

Furthermore, you will not have to worry about learning complex concepts like time signatures. It is completely intuitive to use and you will be able to play along with other people, even those who do not have a background in music. Everything that you need is a computer, internet connection, and a web browser.

musescore interface

3. Sibelius First

Easy sharing of compositions
  • Easy to enter notes
  • Compatible with other software
  • User friendly
  • Limited versions are free
  • The full version is very expensive

Verdict: Sibelius is one of the best music notation apps for iPad of all time. It has the greatest number of key signatures and tabs for each key signature. As one might suspect, composing a Sibelius composition involves more than just typing notes into the composition window.

Sibelius allows a user to store vast numbers of popular songs and chord charts. As may be expected, keeping such information in a traditional music score can prove to be very burdensome. Fortunately, there are excellent software products available today that allow a user to store thousands of musical ideas in the form of digital sheet music.

sibelius first music notation software interface

4. Finale PrintMusic

For beginners
  • Easy to use
  • Intuitive interface
  • Affordable price
  • No virtual keyboard available

Verdict: Finale PrintMusic has gained immense popularity in the past few years. This product is the best music notation software available today because it provides a user friendly interface. It includes various features that are essential to the aspiring musician such as song title and notes, time signature, key signature, rhythm guitar, tone generation, metronome, and chromatic scale.

Besides, it also features an interface that can be customized according to the needs of the user. You can use this tool as music scanning software for your needs.

finale printmusic music notation software interface

5. Forte Home

Comes with a handy free app
  • Helpful companion app
  • Good price
  • Tons of editing options
  • Desktop software not compatible with Macs

Verdict: For beginners interested in learning how to play classical guitar there are plenty of options out there today like online lessons, instructional videos and software, but one alternative that is growing more popular is the Forte Home music notation software. It has been designed for the beginner and it does not take advantage of any advanced skill but is rather designed to educate and help the first time user learn about music notation.

For those with experience of playing the guitar, or for people who are trying to learn a different genre of music, this is certainly a step up from the other available options. The Forte software is easy to use for anyone who wants to learn the basics and doesn't have previous experience in teaching others how to read music notation.

forte home music notation software interface
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