Music notation software:Which are most popular?
Flat and MuseScore share the highest share of searches among music notation software worldwide, at 42.5% in September 2026. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Flat, MuseScore, Sibelius and Dorico showed up in every answer. MuseScore was recommended most often, coming first in every response.
FlatShare of searches 42.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
MuseScoreShare of searches 42.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
NoteflightShare of searches 8.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
SibeliusShare of searches 4.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
DoricoShare of searches 1.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top music notation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Flat, MuseScore, Sibelius and Dorico appeared every time. MuseScore was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. Dorico was second, and Sibelius was third.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- MuseScore1st
- Dorico2nd
- Sibelius3rd
- Flat4th
- Noteflight5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Flat5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MuseScore5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sibelius5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Dorico5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Noteflight2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about music notation software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which music notation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best music notation software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best music notation software for a student composer?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“music notation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“music writing software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 22, 2026.
Which music notation software do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each music notation software by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five music notation software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Flat, MuseScore, Noteflight, Sibelius. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Flat | MuseScore | Noteflight | Sibelius | Dorico |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.8% | 52.7% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 2.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.9% | 47.7% | 11.7% | 6.4% | 2.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.9% | 46.4% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 1.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.6% | 48.7% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 2.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 32.6% | 48.7% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 2.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.9% | 47.7% | 11.7% | 6.4% | 2.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 28.8% | 52.7% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 2.1% |
| May 2026 | 28.2% | 51.5% | 12.6% | 5.7% | 2.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.7% | 50.4% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2% |
| Jul 2026 | 35% | 52.4% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.3% | 46.8% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 2.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.5% | 42.5% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 1.7% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, moved from 2nd to 1st | 42.5% | 673K | +49.6% | +4.2 pointsmoved from 2nd to 1st | |
| 2, moved from 1st to 2nd | 42.5% | 673K | +22.4% | -4.3 pointsmoved from 1st to 2nd | |
| 3, held 3rd | 8.5% | 135K | +82.4% | +2.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 4.7% | 74K | 0% | -1.6 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 1.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.6 points |
1.
Flat42.5%
Moved from 2nd to 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +4.2 points.
42.5%
Moved from 1st to 2nd. 673K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share -4.3 points.
8.5%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, +82.4% vs prior month. Share +2.2 points.
4.
Sibelius4.7%
Held 4th. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.6 points.
5.
Dorico1.7%
Held 5th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among music notation software worldwide?
5 brands
Flat and MuseScore share the highest share of searches among music notation software worldwide, at 42.5% in September 2026.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | 28.8% → 42.5% | 42.5%Sep 2026 | 28.2%May 2026 | 2nd → 1st |
| MuseScore | 52.7% → 42.5% | 52.7%Oct 2025 | 42.5%Sep 2026 | 1st → 2nd |
| Noteflight | 10.6% → 8.5% | 12.6%May 2026 | 4.7%Jul 2026 | 3rd |
| Sibelius | 5.8% → 4.7% | 6.6%Jan 2026 | 4.7%Sep 2026 | 4th |
| Dorico | 2.1% → 1.7% | 2.4%Jan 2026 | 1.7%Sep 2026 | 5th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Flat’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide increased from 28.8% to 42.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MuseScore’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide decreased from 52.7% to 42.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Noteflight’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide decreased from 10.6% to 8.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sibelius’ share of searches among music notation software worldwide decreased from 5.8% to 4.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Flat’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide peaked at 42.5% in September 2026 and was lowest at 28.2% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Noteflight’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide peaked at 12.6% in May 2026 and was lowest at 4.7% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sibelius’ share of searches among music notation software worldwide peaked at 6.6% in January 2026 and was lowest at 4.7% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Flat rose from 2nd to 1st among music notation software worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MuseScore fell from 1st to 2nd among music notation software worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dorico held steady: its share of searches among music notation software worldwide moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for music notation software worldwide in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Flat overtook MuseScore to become the leader among music notation software worldwide, with 42.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Noteflight gained share of searches among music notation software worldwide, from 6.3% to 8.5%.
In September 2026, MuseScore lost share of searches among music notation software worldwide, from 46.8% to 42.5%.
In September 2026, Sibelius lost share of searches among music notation software worldwide, from 6.3% to 4.7%.
In September 2026, Dorico lost share of searches among music notation software worldwide, from 2.3% to 1.7%.
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