MuseScore
Free open-source notation software from MuseScore Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus
At a glance
| Company | MuseScore Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | Music Notation Software |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Cyprus (EU) |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | Yes (licence not named on the page we read) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Desktop download; runs locally |
| Main Features | Free desktop notation, MIDI keyboard input, MusicXML and MIDI transfer, MuseHub distribution, MuseSounds, plugins, mobile apps |
| Pricing | MuseScore Studio: free download, described on the home page as completely free with no limitations; paid MuseSounds not priced on the pages we read |
| Best For | Individuals, schools and choirs who want a free notation program with a large community |
| Replaces | Sibelius, Finale |
Our review
MuseScore Studio is a music notation program published by MuseScore Ltd, whose footer gives the address Spyrou Kyprianou 84, 4004 Limassol, Cyprus. The home page shows version 4.7.6 as the current download and announces plans for 5.0.
The site describes MuseScore Studio as built by an open-source community, with 34 active contributors in the last year and translations into 69 languages. The terms and privacy pages sit behind a bot check, so we could not read them.
What does MuseScore Studio cost?
MuseScore Studio is offered as a free download, and the home page lists it as completely free with no limitations. MuseHub is named as the official distributor of MuseScore Studio and MuseSounds.
The pages we read do not give prices for MuseSounds or any paid service, so we leave those out.
How does MuseScore Studio handle input and exchange?
MuseScore lists input via MIDI keyboard and transfer to and from other programs via MusicXML, MIDI and more. For anyone leaving Sibelius, MusicXML is the route for moving existing scores.
The home page names piano, guitar, orchestra, jazz, choir, band and marching music as typical uses.
MuseScore as a European alternative to Sibelius
MuseScore gives users a free program from a Cyprus company where Sibelius is a product of Avid, a US-headquartered group. MuseScore does not state its parent company, hosting location or licence name on the pages we read.
Stronger commercial features such as dedicated publisher support are not described on the pages we read.
Points against
The terms of use and privacy policy pages could not be read because of a bot check, so the data location and parent company are not confirmed. Paid MuseSounds pricing is not shown on the pages we read. Users who need paid support or a vendor service contract may prefer capella or Notation Composer.
Who MuseScore fits
Teachers, students, choirs and composers who want a free notation program and are comfortable relying on a community for support.
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros
- Free download with no limitations stated
- Open source, built by a community of contributors
- MIDI keyboard input listed
- MusicXML and MIDI transfer listed
- Interface translated into 69 languages
Cons
- Terms and privacy pages not readable for us
- Parent company and hosting not stated on the pages we read
- Paid sound libraries have no price on the pages we read
- Support is community based
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free download, and the home page states no limitations
- Community-built open source with 34 contributors in the last year
- Notes can be entered from a MIDI keyboard
- MusicXML and MIDI listed for moving scores between programs
- Interface available in 69 languages
Cons
- Terms and privacy pages were unreadable to us
- Parent company and hosting location not stated in the text we read
- No price shown for the paid MuseSounds libraries
- Help comes from the community, not a vendor desk
Alternatives to MuseScore
Further European music notation software to compare:
See all European music notation software or compare them directly against Sibelius on our alternatives page.
Questions buyers ask
Yes. MuseScore Studio is published by MuseScore Ltd of Limassol, Cyprus, and covers notation, MIDI keyboard input and MusicXML exchange. Sibelius is sold by Avid.
The MuseScore home page describes MuseScore Studio as completely free with no limitations. Paid MuseSounds are priced separately, and we did not read those prices.
MuseScore lists transfer via MusicXML, MIDI and more. Export MusicXML from Sibelius, import it into MuseScore and check the layout of a sample score first.