- 1Runs oniOS, Mac, Web
- 2CostsNot stated by the maker
- 3Deploymentboth
- 4MusicXML supportYes
- 5MIDI supportYes
- 6Parts extractionYes
- 7Tablature supportYes
- 8Collaboration featuresYes
Overview
Sibelius is professional music notation software for writing, editing, and sharing scores. Notes can be entered with MIDI, a keyboard, or Apple Pencil, and MusicXML and MIDI files can be imported while retaining performance data. It supports tablature, VST3 and AU virtual instruments, and AI chord suggestions that generate or complete chord symbols. Edits to dynamic parts stay synchronized with the score. Scores can be published to a private dashboard for browser viewing and playback, while classroom tools let teachers share files and guide student focus from a workstation. Sibelius runs on desktop, mobile, and web, with support for Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, and Chromebook. Sibelius First is described as free notation software for people new to notation. Artist allows up to 24 staves per score and cloud sharing for 20 scores; Ultimate allows unlimited staves and cloud sharing. The Ultimate Perpetual Bundle costs 899.00 USD as a one-time purchase and includes PhotoScore Ultimate and AudioScore Ultimate. Annual plans are listed at 79.00 USD per year for Artist and 159.00 USD per year for Ultimate. Displayed prices exclude VAT and applicable taxes.
Who it is for
Sibelius suits composers and arrangers who need notation tools across desktop, mobile, and web. Its classroom features and teaching resources also suit educators working with students.
What is good
- Accepts MIDI, keyboard, and Apple Pencil entry
- Synchronizes edits between scores and parts
- Supports MusicXML and MIDI imports
- Available on desktop, mobile, and web
What to know first
- Artist is limited to 24 staves per score
- Artist cloud sharing is limited to 20 scores
- Displayed prices exclude VAT and applicable taxes
Verdict
Sibelius offers score writing and sharing features across several device types, with different score and cloud limits by plan. Listed annual prices are 79.00 USD for Artist and 159.00 USD for Ultimate; the perpetual bundle is 899.00 USD one time.
Sibelius plans and pricing
All plansCompared on music notation software
Facts
- Product type
- Professional music notation softwareavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Artist staff limit
- Up to 24 staves per scoreavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Artist cloud limit
- Cloud sharing for 20 scoresavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Ultimate staff limit
- Unlimited staves per scoreavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Perpetual extras
- Includes PhotoScore Ultimate and AudioScore Ultimateavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- Desktop, mobile, and webavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Note entry methods
- MIDI, keyboard, and Apple Pencilavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- AI chord suggestions
- Automatically generates and completes chord symbolsavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Music import
- Imports MusicXML and MIDI while preserving performance dataavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Plugin support
- Supports VST3 and AU virtual instrumentsavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Dynamic parts
- Synchronizes edits between scores and partsavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Cloud publishing
- Private dashboard for browser-based viewing and playbackavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Classroom management
- Share files and guide student focus from a workstationavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Teaching resources
- More than 1,700 built-in projects, exercises, and resourcesavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Licensing options
- Network or Team licensing for studentsavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Device support
- Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, and Chromebookavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Pricing taxes
- Displayed prices exclude VAT and applicable taxesavid.com · 27 Sept 2026
- Discount period
- Offer available August 18, 2026 through September 30, 2026avid.com · 27 Sept 2026
Best Sibelius alternatives
See all 20
Where it ranks on Specifiction
Is Sibelius yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- avid.com/sibelius· checked 27 Sept 2026