Compare music composer software
See how the desktop and mobile versions of our music composer software compare and decide which is best for you.Sibelius First
Compose simple scores with up to 4 instrument parts
(desktop + mobile)
FREE
Get it nowSibelius Artist
Compose rich scores with up to 16 instrument parts
(desktop + mobile)
from
$9.99 USD/month
Sibelius Ultimate
Compose scores with unlimited parts and custom layouts
(desktop + mobile)
from
$19.99 USD/month
Sibelius is always getting better with new features and improvements. And with your active plan, you get them as soon as we release them. See what's new in Sibelius.
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Sibelius First |
Sibelius Artist |
Sibelius Ultimate |
| Ideal for… | Composing simple scores with up to 4 instrument parts (staves) | Composing simple/moderate music with up to 16 staves | Composing, arranging, and publishing scores and parts of any size and complexity; creating notation worksheets and exercises for education |
| Availability | Available for free for anyone to download and use | Desktop: Subscribe monthly or annually, or purchase and own a perpetual license
Mobile: Included with desktop version or subscribe monthly to just the app |
Desktop: Subscribe monthly or annually, purchase and own a perpetual license (educational discount available), trade-up from other notation software, get network licensing, or easily manage multiple licenses and users with Sibelius Ultimate for teams Mobile: Included with desktop version or subscribe monthly to just the app |
| Software updates and support | Download the latest update as it becomes available | Desktop: Access all new releases and Standard support through a subscription or renewable 1-Year Software Updates + Support Plan (included with new perpetual licenses)
Mobile: Download the latest update as it becomes available |
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| Included sampled sounds | Desktop: General MIDI Mobile: 900 MB |
Desktop: 10 GB Mobile: 900 MB |
Desktop: 36 GB Mobile: 900 MB |
| Instruments | Common only | Desktop: Common, jazz, and world instruments, with fixed number of staves
Mobile: Common only |
Desktop: Full customizable range
Mobile: Common only |
| Note values | 32nd to breve | 512th note (7 beams) to “long” (double breve) | |
| Additional notation | Desktop: Limited bar numbers, fixed beam/rest groupings, fixed brackets and braces, limited chord symbol presets, basic guitar tab
Mobile: Basic guitar tab |
Desktop: Full range of bar formats, customizable beam/rest groupings, customizable brackets and braces, fully customizable chord symbols, full guitar tab
Mobile: Basic guitar tab |
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| Lines gallery (trills, slurs, hairpins, etc.) | Some | All | |
| Voices per staff | 1 and 2 only | 4 voices | |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Fixed | Desktop: Customizable
Mobile: Fixed |
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| Plugins | None | Desktop: 38 included
Mobile: None |
Desktop: Over 140 included
Mobile: None |
| Manuscript papers (preset score layouts) | Includes a few, but you cannot create your own | Includes many and you can create your own Mobile: Fixed |
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| Minimum requirements | Desktop: Avid-qualified computer (get the details); the sound library is an optional installation
Mobile: Any iPad running iPadOS 13.4 or later or any iPhone running iOS 13.4 or later |
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