Compare music writing apps
See how the mobile versions of Sibelius software compare and decide which is best for you. Don’t forget—each music writing app comes free with its desktop counterpart.Sibelius First
Compose simple scores with up to 4 instrument parts
FREE
(desktop)
FREE
(mobile app only)
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Sibelius First
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Sibelius
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Sibelius Ultimate
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| 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 |
| Availability | Available for free for anyone to download and use via the Apple App Store | Included with desktop versions (via subscription or a Software Updates + Support Plan), or subscribe to either tier monthly via an in-app purchase | Included with desktop versions (via subscription or a Software Updates + Support Plan), or subscribe to either tier monthly via an in-app purchase |
| Notation | Common only | Common only | Full set |
| Tuplets | Triplets only | Up to nonuplets | Up to nonuplets |
| Lines gallery (trills, slurs, hairpins, etc.) | Some | All | All |
| Text gallery | Some | More | All |
| Symbols gallery | None | Some | All |
| Voices per staff | 1 and 2 only | 4 voices | 4 voices |
| Lyric verses allowed | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Included sampled sounds | 900 MB high-quality samples | 900 MB high-quality samples | 900 MB high-quality samples |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Included (fixed) | Included (fixed) | Included (fixed) |
| Minimum requirements | Any iPad running iPadOS 13.4 or later or any iPhone running iOS 13.4 or later | Any iPad running iPadOS 13.4 or later or any iPhone running iOS 13.4 or later | Any iPad running iPadOS 13.4 or later or any iPhone running iOS 13.4 or later |