iWriteMusic vs Sibelius
iWriteMusic
iwritemusicapp.comSibelius
avid.comSide by side
| Figure | iWriteMusic | Sibelius |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 6 |
| Spec score · Music notation software | 8.3 (#13) | 9.3 (#3) |
| Deployment | desktop | both |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| MIDI support | Yes | Yes |
| MusicXML support | No | Yes |
| Parts extraction | Yes | Yes |
Plans
iWriteMusic
- iWriteMusicPrice not published
- iWriteMusic ProPrice not published
- iWriteMusic Free / SEFree
- iWriteMusic (free version / SE)Free
- iWriteMusic Pro (US App Store)$12.99, paid once
Sibelius
- Sibelius FirstFree
- ArtistPrice not published
- UltimatePrice not published
- Ultimate Perpetual Bundle$899, paid once
- Sibelius Artist$79 a year
- Sibelius Ultimate$159 a year
In their own words
iWriteMusic
iWriteMusic has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Sibelius
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.