Dorico vs Sibelius:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sibelius had more branded searches than Dorico among music notation software worldwide. Sibelius had about 74,000 branded searches, while Dorico had 27,100. Sibelius made up 4.7% of all music notation software searches we track, and Dorico accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about music notation software, both Dorico and Sibelius appeared in all five answers. Dorico was mentioned before Sibelius in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Sibelius, about 3 searches for every 1 for Dorico
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Dorico, named ahead of Sibelius in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Dorico vs Sibelius and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top music notation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Dorico and Sibelius showed up in all five answers. Dorico was listed before Sibelius in three of them.
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.
Is Dorico or Sibelius more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Dorico and Sibelius 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 Sibelius, Dorico. 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% |
How has the Dorico and Sibelius comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sibelius was ahead of Dorico in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dorico’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide moved from 2.1% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sibelius’ share of searches among music notation software worldwide moved from 5.8% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
How did search popularity change for music notation software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
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%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dorico’s and Sibelius’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among music notation software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.