This is a comparison of music notation computer programs.

General information

NameGuitar tablatureWYSIWYG editorMIDI entry[a]PlaybackFile formatsDeveloper(s)Stable release; review dateLicenseCostOperating system(s)
ImportExport
CanorusCanorusML,[b] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] simple LilyPond[e]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] LilyPond,[e] PDFReinhard Katzmann, Matevž Jekovec, Georg Rudolph0.7.3; 18 June 2018 (age 8)
0.1.0 to 0.7.2: GPL-2.0-only		Linux
CapellaCapella,[f] CapXML,[g] MusicXML,[c] MIDI[d]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, Truevision TGA, PCX, HTMLcapella-software AG10.0-08; 20 April 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS
DenemoDenemo,[h] limited LilyPond,[e] MusicXML[c]LilyPond,[e] MusicXML, WAV, Ogg, PDF, PNG, MIDIJeremiah Benham, Richard Shann2.6.0; 11 March 2022 (age 4)Windows, macOS, Linux
DoricoDorico,[i] MusicXML,[c] MIDI[d]MIDI,[d] MusicXML,[c] WAV, MP3, PDF, PNG, TIFF, SVGSteinberg6.2.10; 31 March 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS
Early Notation TypesetterENT[j]ENT,[j] PDFSamuel Gossner, Daniel West, Dieter Theuns0.9.6; 20 October 2020 (age 5)Windows, macOS, Linux
EncoreEncore,[k] MusicTime,[l] Rhapsody,[m] Compressed MusicXML[n]MIDI,[d] Cakewalk MIDI,[o] Master Tracks Pro,[p] PDFPassport Music Software5.0.4 (Windows); 5.0.7 (macOS); 2015 (age 11)Windows, macOS
FinaleFinale,[q] MusicXML,[c] MIDI[d]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] WAV, MP3, AIFF, PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, EPS, BMP, GIF, PICT[r]MakeMusic, Inc.27.4.1; 12 December 2023 (age 2) final releaseWindows, macOS
FlatMusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] MuseScore, TuxGuitar, Guitar Pro (versions 3–8), Power TabMusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] WAV, MP3, PDF, PNG, SVGTutteo37.9.0; 17 October 2024 (age 1)Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
ForteForte,[s] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] CapXML[g]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] BMP, JPEGLugert Verlag GmbH12.1; 12 February 2021 (age 5) final releaseWindows
FrescobaldiLilyPond,[e] MusicXML,[c] ABCMusicXML,[c] PDFWilbert Berendsen4.0.5; 11 February 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux
Guitar ProGuitar Pro (versions 1–8),[t] MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MIDI,[d] ASCII tab,[u] Power Tab,[v] TablEdit[w]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] ASCII tab,[u] PNG, PDF, WAVArobas Music8.1.5; 27 October 2025 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux
Harmony AssistantMyriad,[x] MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] CMF,[z], Module,[aa] Encore,[k] MusicTime,[l] Rhapsody,[m] NoteWorthy,[ab] ABC,[ac] Guitar Pro (versions 1–5),[t] TablEdit,[w] Finale (.mus),[q] ETF[ad], audio formats imported as sound "digital" trackMusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] HTML (MyrWeb), MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] ABC,[ac] WAV, MP3, Ogg, AIFF, PDF, PNG, SVG, TIFF, video using FFmpegMyriad Software9.9.9i; 11 October 2025 (age 1)Windows, macOS, Linux
Impro-VisorImpro-Visor[ae]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] PDFBob Keller10.2; 1 August 2019 (age 7)Windows, macOS, Linux
LilyPondLilyPond;[e] using converters: ABC,[ac] ETF,[ad] MIDI,[d] MusicXML[c]PDF, PNG, PS, SVGHan-Wen Nienhuys, Jan Nieuwenhuizen2.26.0; 21 April 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
MagicScoreSFD,[af] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] WAV, MP3MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] WAV, MP3, PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, EMF, WMFMaestro Music Software8.280; 2017 (age 9)Windows
MozartMozart,[ag] MusicXML,[c] NIFF,[ah] MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] ABC[ac]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] ABC,[ac] BMP, EMF, GIF, JPEG, PBM, PNG, TIFFMozart Music Software17.0.7; April 2026 (age 0)Windows
Mus2Mus2[ai]MIDI,[d] AIFF, WAV, PDF, SVG, BMP, JPEG, PNGUtku Uzmen (Data-Soft Ltd.)3.3.1; 23 September 2025 (age 1)Windows, macOS
MuseScore StudioMuseScore,[aj] MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MEI,[ak] MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] MuseData,[al] Bagpipe Music Writer,[am] Band-in-a-Box,[an] Overture,[ao] Capella,[f] CapXML,[g] Guitar Pro (versions 1–6),[t] Power Tab (experimental),[v] PDF (experimental), ABC[ac] (with plugin)MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MEI,[ak] PDF, PNG, SVG, MIDI,[d] WAV, FLAC, Ogg, MP3The MuseScore developer community4.6.5; 18 December 2025 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux
MusiCADMusiCAD,[ap] MIDI,[d] ABC[ac]MIDI,[d] ABC,[ac] PDF, JPEG, PNG, BMPMusys Software4.0; 1 May 2015 (age 11)Windows
MusicEaseMusicEase,[aq] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] ABC,[ac] SongWright[ar]MIDI,[d] PDFMusicEase Software10.1m; November 2024 (age 1)Windows, macOS
MusinkMusink[as]MIDI,[d] PDF, PNG, XPSLee Reid1.3.0.3; 21 March 2025 (age 1)Windows, macOS
MusiXTeXTeX (incl. PMX and M-Tx),[at] MusicXML[c] (with converters)DVI,[au] PS, PDF, MIDI[d] (for PMX input)Daniel Taupin, Ross Mitchell, Andreas Egler1.41; 15 November 2025 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux
Notation ComposerNotation,[av] MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MIDI,[d] Karaoke[y]MusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] PDF, MIDI,[d] Karaoke,[y] PNG, BMP, JPEG, GIF, WAV, FLAC, Ogg, MP3Notation Software5.1.4; 15 April 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux
NoteWorthy ComposerNWC,[ab] MIDI,[d] Karaoke[y]MIDI[d]NoteWorthy Software2.75a.2; 2017 (age 9)Windows
The Note ProcessorMIDI, DARMSMIDI, TIFF, DARMS, PostScriptStephen Dydo, ThoughtProcessors2.3; 1991 (age 35)MS-DOS
NotionMusicXML,[c] Compressed MusicXML,[n] MIDI,[d] Guitar Pro[t] (versions 4–5)MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] WAVPreSonus6.8.2; 24 August 2021 (age 5)Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
OvertureOverture,[ao] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Score Writer[aw]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] WAV, MP3Sonic Scores5.6.1.1; 2 December 2019 (age 6)Windows, macOS
Philip's Music WriterPMW[ax]MIDI,[d] PSPhilip Hazel5.33; 22 December 2025 (age 0)Linux (older versions for RISC OS)
Power Tab EditorPower Tab,[v] MIDI[d]MIDI,[d] ASCII tab,[u] BMP, HTMLBrad Larsen2.0.22; 29 June 2025 (age 1)for version 2.0 and laterWindows, macOS, Linux
RosegardenRosegarden,[ay] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Hydrogen[az]LilyPond,[e] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Csound,[ba] Mup,[bb] PDFChris Cannam, Richard Bown, Guillaume Laurent25.12; 3 December 2025 (age 0)Linux
SCORESCORE (.mus)EPSLeland Smith,
San Andreas Press		5.01; 1 November 2013 (age 12)MS-DOS, Windows
ScoreCloud StudioMIDI,[d] live audioMusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] WAV, PDFDoremir Music Research AB4.10.2; April 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS, iOS
SibeliusSibelius,[bc] MusicXML,[c] MIDI[d]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] MP3, PDF, SVG, EPS, PNGAvid Technology, Inc.2026.2; 25 February 2026 (age 0)Windows, macOS, RISC OS, Android, iOS
SmartScore 64 NESmartScore,[bd] scanned images, MusicXML,[c] NIFF[ah]MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Finale,[q] NIFF,[ah] PDFMusitek Corporation11.6.113 (Windows); 11.6.115 (macOS); 13 October 2025 (age 1)Windows, macOS
TuxGuitarTuxGuitar,[be] MusicXML,[c] MIDI,[d] Guitar Pro (versions 1–6),[t] Power Tab,[v] TablEdit[w]MIDI,[d] Guitar Pro (versions 3–5),[t] LilyPond,[e] ASCII tab,[u] PDFJulian Gabriel Casadesus2.0.1; 27 December 2025 (age 0)Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, Android
NameGuitar tablatureWYSIWYG editorMIDI entry[a]PlaybackImportExportDeveloper(s)Stable release; review dateLicenseCostOperating system(s)
File formats

File formats and extensions

  1. ^ When entering notes, "step-time" means one first selects the note duration then enters notes and chords one a time, while "real-time" means one plays the notes to enter with correct rhythm and the software recognizes the note durations.
  2. ^ Canorus native format, .can
  3. ^ MusicXML, open standard XML-based music notation exchange format, .xml or (version 3.1 or later) .musicxml
  4. ^ Standard MIDI file format, .mid or .midi
  5. ^ LilyPond plain text native format, .ly
  6. ^ Capella native format, binary file, .cap
  7. ^ Capella native format, compressed ZIP containing XML, .capx
  8. ^ Denemo native format, .denemo
  9. ^ Dorico native format, .dorico
  10. ^ Early notation typesetter native format, .ent
  11. ^ Encore native format, .enc
  12. ^ MusicTime (by the same developer as Encore) native format, .mto, .mus (different to Finale .mus)
  13. ^ Rhapsody (by the same developer as Encore) native format, .rhp
  14. ^ MusicXML version 2.0 or later, compressed as a ZIP, .mxl
  15. ^ Cakewalk MIDI file format, .mff[clarification needed]
  16. ^ Master Tracks Pro (by the same developer as Encore) native format, .mts
  17. ^ Finale native format, .mus (2012 and earlier) or .musx (2014 and later)
  18. ^ Mac version only
  19. ^ Forte native format, .fnf
  20. ^ Guitar Pro native format version 1–2, .gtp; version 3, .gp3; version 4, .gp4; version 5, .gp5; version 6, .gpx; version 7, .gp
  21. ^ ASCII tablature plain text format, .txt, .tab, or .btab
  22. ^ Power Tab Editor native format, .ptb
  23. ^ TablEdit native format, .tef
  24. ^ Harmony Assistant native format, .myr (formerly .mus), .mux (sound bank independent), .mu3 (compressed)
  25. ^ Standard MIDI file format including standard MIDI lyrics, used for karaoke, .kar
  26. ^ Creative Music File, a cut-down MIDI format by Creative Labs, .cmf
  27. ^ Module file, .mod, .s3m (ScreamTracker 3)
  28. ^ NoteWorthy Composer native format, .nwc or .nwctxt
  29. ^ ABC plain text format, .abc
  30. ^ Finale Enigma Transport Format, .etf[1]
  31. ^ Impro-Visor native format, .ls
  32. ^ Maestro software family native format, .sfd
  33. ^ Mozart native format, .mz
  34. ^ Notation Interchange File Format, .nif
  35. ^ Mus2 notation and tuning file format, .mus2, .mu2
  36. ^ MuseScore native format, .mscz; uncompressed XML-based format, .mscx; style sheet, .mss; score album, .album
  37. ^ MEI Music Encoding Initiative, .mei
  38. ^ MuseData project format, .md
  39. ^ Bagpipe Music Writer native format, .bww
  40. ^ Band-in-a-Box native format, .mgu or .sgu
  41. ^ Overture native format, .ove
  42. ^ MusiCAD plain text native format, .mc
  43. ^ MusicEase native format, .mez
  44. ^ SongWright native format, .sw
  45. ^ Musink native format, .musink
  46. ^ PMX, preprocessor language for MusixTeX, .pmx; M-Tx, processor for PMX, .mtx
  47. ^ TeX device independent file format, .dvi
  48. ^ NoteSoft file, Notation Software native format, .not
  49. ^ Score Writer (by the same developer as Overture) native format, .scw
  50. ^ Philip's Music Writer native format, human-readable text, .pmw
  51. ^ Rosegarden native format, .rg
  52. ^ Hydrogen drum machine song XML file format, .h2song
  53. ^ Csound audio domain-specific language format, without orchestra data, .csd
  54. ^ Music Publisher Score file format, .mup
  55. ^ Sibelius (scorewriter) native format, .sib
  56. ^ SmartScore native format, .enf
  57. ^ TuxGuitar native format, .tg

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "An incomplete description of the Enigma Transport Format". LilyPond.org. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2017.