Denemo vs Sibelius

Denemo is a free desktop music-notation program for composing, transcribing, arranging, and listening to music. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with MusicXML, MIDI, parts extraction, and tablature support. Music can be entered through a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone. Denemo opens its own files and imports MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML. LilyPond typesets notation in the background while you work, and the program supports figured bass, historical noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature. It can create exercise sheets, aural-training materials, note-reading exercises, and playing exercises. Scores may be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files. MIDI or audio can be routed to other applications such as JACK, and LilyPond text and commands can be included in a score. Denemo is free to use, share, and change under the GPL; the listed plan costs nothing. Version 2.6 is listed as the current stable release, dated March 11, 2022. Some download links still point to version 2.2.

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 a year for Artist and $159 a year for Ultimate. Displayed prices exclude VAT and applicable taxes.