MuseScore for Windows

Name: MuseScore
Rating: 3.9 (15 reviews)
Author: MuseScore

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

MuseScore is a robust, free, and open-source application for composing and notating music. It offers versatile input methods and multiple export options for your creations.

Top Recommended Alternative

SoundPad

Free

2.3

Pros
- Easy notation with keyboard, mouse, or MIDI.
- Printable, high-quality engraved sheet music.
- Export to PDF and PNG formats.
- Playback and transposition features.
- Supports MusicXML for collaboration.
Cons
- No mention of advanced engraving features.
- User interface complexity not detailed.
- Specific audio export formats unclear.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: March 1, 2013

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 1.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows XP
Windows 8

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 21,217

Downloads Last Week: 3

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.9/5

15 User Votes

Waste of time
pianolover007February 25, 2014
Pros
No pros at all
Cons
Amateur like results, ugly and not practical at all. Secondly, the owner of musescore also exploits piracy sites like pianofiles.com. I don't like thiefs, trying to earn advertisement money (Google adsense) with the work of other people. Bah!
Summary
Not worth looking at.
Great music notation software
Miek_sSeptember 22, 2013
Pros
how many scores you want, MuseScore does it. Transponing music was never so easy. Now I can make parts for starting musicians, so they have less moles and crosses... It's not easy to use, but reading the manual helps a lot
Cons
Sometimes unstable
Summary
Very good freeware musicnotation software
MuseScore is linked to pianofiles.com, a piracy website
ClearNoteFebruary 14, 2013
Pros
none of any merit
Cons
The developer of this software maintains pianofiles.com - they freely distribute stolen published works by living composers.
Summary
A very fine program (PC) to enter your music
hensttDecember 24, 2012
Pros
Using it to (re-)enter handwritten songs for keyboard I found it easy to use. The on-line helpfile appeared to be very effective e.g. in placing chords above the scores, in producing triplets, in changing the size of notes and text and in altering the lay-out of the score. To prevent obvious errors in the print, a player/synthesizer can play the song for you at the proper speed with the type of instrument you like.
Cons
None sofar (PC version).
Summary
A very nice program and free as well.
Great scoring program. Very easy to use.
jhonwaskDecember 12, 2012
Pros
Simple to create large scores easly. Easy note placement. Drag and drop palette items provide quick-to-make details. Just about everything you need to score for an orchestra.
Cons
Since I would like to hear my scores before I publish them, I like to set the tempo. But I cannot find a "tempo" button, nor figure how to change the tempo.
Summary
Excellent scoring program out of the very few that are out there.
Would be 5 stars but not for Apple-Mac
jimjchgoAugust 17, 2012
Pros
MuseScore has been FABULOUS for me. As a piano teacher, I do a lot of arranging and MuseScore allows me to do it easily and quickly.
Cons
However, SUDDENLY, printing out my scores has become nearly impossible. This is because, on my Apple-Mac computer, MuseScore apparently resets my printer's Top-of-Page so that it prints at the bottom of page one and then acts as if it has to begin the printing again, repeating the error and wasting MANY pages. After about 10 pages of partial printing and restarts I get a complete page but this is intolerable. If I can't print my stuff, I have to find new software. This is tragic. If you have an Apple-Mac, don't get MuseScore.
Summary
Apple Mac users should not get this software until MuseScore sends a fix for the obvious bug.
Awesome program especially if you know your stuff
maidensoloMarch 20, 2012
Pros
If you are well trained it doesn't take long at all. There is a very well designed web page to help you along sponsored by soundforge.
Cons
I haven't found a con yet.
Summary
If you teach music you have to check this out.
Good program, with a "but."
wl_danielFebruary 13, 2012
Pros
Wonderfully wide range of capabilities, especially for a free product.
Cons
The learning curve will ascend slowly for me. Interaction is not intuitive in the basic entering of notes, rests, etc. I keep the manual open at all times.
Summary
Great software, esp. since free.
basARTJanuary 9, 2012
Pros
It is an awesome program.
Cons
None, it is fantastic.
Summary
Great free software.
jandsm5321November 22, 2011
Pros
It's free, has lots of features and can work well for those who don't want to pay anything.
Cons
It's interface takes some getting used to. I'm sure it's efficient if you use it a lot.
Summary
I'd say if you do this stuff professionally, buy a program, but if it's just a hobby, this one is perfect.

Developer’s Description

By MuseScore

Create sheet music with your keyboard, mouse, or MIDI keyboard.

MuseScore lets you notate and compose music easily with your keyboard, your mouse or a MIDI keyboard. You can print the beautifully engraved sheet music or save it as PDF or PNG. You can play your score, transpose it, and save it as audio or MIDI file. MuseScore also supports MusicXML to let you share your composition with other scorewriters. MuseScore is free and open source.

MuseScore for Windows

Editors’ Review

Top Recommended Alternative

SoundPad

Pros

Cons