MuseScore vs Sibelius:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, MuseScore had more branded searches than Sibelius among music notation software worldwide. MuseScore had about 673,000 branded searches, while Sibelius had 74,000. MuseScore made up 42.5% of all music notation software searches we track, and Sibelius accounted for 4.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about music notation software, both MuseScore and Sibelius appeared in all five answers. MuseScore was mentioned before Sibelius in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
MuseScore, about 9 searches for every 1 for Sibelius
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
MuseScore, named ahead of Sibelius in every answer
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Top music notation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both MuseScore and Sibelius showed up in all five answers. MuseScore was listed before Sibelius in every answer.
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 MuseScore or Sibelius more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MuseScore 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 MuseScore, 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% |
How has the MuseScore and Sibelius comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- MuseScore was ahead of Sibelius in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MuseScore’s share of searches among music notation software worldwide moved from 52.7% to 42.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 673K.
- 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?
3 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, 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%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MuseScore’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
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