---
title: "Music notation software: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the software composers and students use to write and edit sheet music. Share of Search among Flat, MuseScore, Noteflight, Sibelius and Dorico, the music notation software Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/music-notation-software"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Music notation software: Which are searched most?

Compare the software composers and students use to write and edit sheet music. Share of Search among Flat, MuseScore, Noteflight, Sibelius and Dorico, the music notation software Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Music notation software
- **Market**: Global
- **Brands compared**: 5
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Flat, 42.5%

## Which brand is most popular in search among music notation software worldwide?

- Flat and MuseScore share the highest share of searches among music notation software worldwide, at 42.5% in September 2026.
- 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.

## 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.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MuseScore | 1st | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Dorico | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Sibelius | 3rd | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Flat | 4th | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Noteflight | 5th | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 |

## Every AI answer about music notation software

- Asked ChatGPT "Which music notation software should I use?": 1. MuseScore, 2. Dorico, 3. Sibelius, 4. Flat
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best music notation software options?": 1. MuseScore, 2. Dorico, 3. Sibelius, 4. Flat
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best music notation software for a student composer?": 1. MuseScore, 2. Dorico, 3. Sibelius, 4. Flat
- Searched Google, AI Overview "music notation software": 1. MuseScore, 2. Sibelius, 3. Dorico, 4. Flat, 5. Noteflight
- Searched Google, AI Overview "music writing software": 1. MuseScore, 2. Sibelius, 3. Dorico, 4. Flat, 5. Noteflight

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in the United States on October 22, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Flat vs MuseScore: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/flat-io-vs-musescore): 42.5% Share of Search each.
- [Flat vs Noteflight: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/flat-io-vs-noteflight): 42.5% against 8.5% Share of Search.
- [Flat vs Sibelius: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/flat-io-vs-sibelius): 42.5% against 4.7% Share of Search.
- [MuseScore vs Noteflight: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/musescore-vs-noteflight): 42.5% against 8.5% Share of Search.
- [MuseScore vs Sibelius: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/musescore-vs-sibelius): 42.5% against 4.7% Share of Search.
- [Noteflight vs Sibelius: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/noteflight-vs-sibelius): 8.5% against 4.7% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for music notation software worldwide in September 2026?

- 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%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Flat | 42.5% | 673K | +49.6% | Flat |
| 2 | MuseScore | 42.5% | 673K | +22.4% | Muse Group |
| 3 | Noteflight | 8.5% | 135K | +82.4% | Noteflight |
| 4 | Sibelius | 4.7% | 74K | 0.0% | Avid |
| 5 | Dorico | 1.7% | 27.1K | 0.0% | Steinberg |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | MuseScore | 823K | 52.7% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Flat | 450K | 28.8% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Noteflight | 165K | 10.6% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 5.8% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Dorico | 33.1K | 2.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | MuseScore | 673K | 47.7% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Flat | 450K | 31.9% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Noteflight | 165K | 11.7% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Dorico | 33.1K | 2.3% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | MuseScore | 673K | 46.4% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Flat | 550K | 37.9% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Noteflight | 110K | 7.6% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 6.2% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Dorico | 27.1K | 1.9% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 48.7% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Flat | 450K | 32.6% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Noteflight | 135K | 9.8% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 6.6% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Dorico | 33.1K | 2.4% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 48.7% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Flat | 450K | 32.6% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Noteflight | 135K | 9.8% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 6.6% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Dorico | 33.1K | 2.4% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 47.7% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Flat | 450K | 31.9% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Noteflight | 165K | 11.7% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Sibelius | 90.5K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Dorico | 33.1K | 2.3% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 52.7% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Flat | 368K | 28.8% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Noteflight | 135K | 10.6% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Sibelius | 74K | 5.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Dorico | 27.1K | 2.1% | 5 |
| May 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 51.5% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Flat | 368K | 28.2% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Noteflight | 165K | 12.6% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Sibelius | 74K | 5.7% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Dorico | 27.1K | 2.1% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | MuseScore | 550K | 50.4% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Flat | 368K | 33.7% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Noteflight | 90.5K | 8.3% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Sibelius | 60.5K | 5.5% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Dorico | 22.2K | 2% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | MuseScore | 550K | 52.4% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Flat | 368K | 35% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Sibelius | 60.5K | 5.8% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Noteflight | 49.5K | 4.7% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Dorico | 22.2K | 2.1% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | MuseScore | 550K | 46.8% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Flat | 450K | 38.3% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Noteflight | 74K | 6.3% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Sibelius | 74K | 6.3% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Dorico | 27.1K | 2.3% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Flat | 673K | 42.5% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | MuseScore | 673K | 42.5% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Noteflight | 135K | 8.5% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Sibelius | 74K | 4.7% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Dorico | 27.1K | 1.7% | 5 |

## What is being compared

- **Dorico**: Measured on the search term “dorico”.
- **Flat**: Measured on the search term “flat.io”.
- **MuseScore**: Measured on the search term “musescore”.
- **Noteflight**: Measured on the search term “noteflight”.
- **Sibelius**: Measured on the search term “sibelius”.

- [Dorico](/demand/global-en/brands/dorico)
- [Flat](/demand/global-en/brands/flat-io)
- [MuseScore](/demand/global-en/brands/musescore)
- [Noteflight](/demand/global-en/brands/noteflight)
- [Sibelius](/demand/global-en/brands/sibelius)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among music notation software worldwide?

Flat and MuseScore share the highest share of searches among music notation software worldwide, at 42.5% in September 2026. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Music notation software: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/music-notation-software

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/music-notation-software. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.