Best Music Notation Software for Linux of 2025

Denemo is a free music notation software available for GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows, designed to allow users to quickly input musical notation which is then typeset by the LilyPond music engraver. You can enter music using your computer keyboard, a MIDI controller, or even acoustically through a microphone connected to your sound card. By utilizing LilyPond, Denemo produces aesthetically pleasing sheet music that meets the highest standards of publication quality. The interface presents the staffs in a straightforward manner, enabling efficient music entry and editing. While you work, the typesetting occurs seamlessly in the background, achieving a generally flawless result that is suitable for publication. If necessary, final adjustments can be made to the typeset score using the mouse. This functionality offers a significant advantage over other widely used programs that often necessitate constant repositioning of overlapping notation during music input, making Denemo a more user-friendly option. In comparison with software like Musescore, Finale, or Sibelius, Denemo stands out for its efficient workflow and intuitive design.

MC Musiceditor is an open-source music notation software available for free under the GPLv2 or later. It comes in two versions: MCMusiceditor, which is the full-featured variant, and MCMusiceditor-Lite, designed for Windows (starting from XP) and also compatible with Linux through Wine. Developed by Reinier Maliepaard, who is a psychologist, software engineer, musician, and educator at the ArtEZ Conservatorium in the Netherlands, this software aims to simplify the score-making process for musicians. The outcome is a user-friendly editor that produces professional scores without the need for extensive prior knowledge, except for some basic musical understanding. Furthermore, MC Musiceditor stands out as an efficient tool for composing, enhancing, listening to, and printing high-quality musical scores. Notably, it also allows for the sharing and exchange of musical notation data with other WYSIWYG music notation software such as MuseScore, Finale, and Sibelius, which are among the most widely used programs by my students. This versatility makes MC Musiceditor a valuable resource for both novice and experienced musicians alike.

LilyPond stands out as a music engraving software dedicated to generating the finest quality sheet music achievable. It successfully captures the visual appeal of traditionally engraved scores in digital formats. As a free software initiative under the GNU Project, LilyPond offers both power and versatility for a variety of engraving needs, including classical compositions, intricate notations, early and modern music, tablature, vocal arrangements, lead sheets, educational resources, large orchestral scores, tailored outputs, and even Schenker graphs. The inception of LilyPond was inspired by two musicians who sought to enhance the often lifeless appearance of computer-generated sheet music. They believed that musicians should engage with aesthetically pleasing music, prompting programmers to develop software capable of producing graceful printed scores. Consequently, this program excels in crafting visually appealing sheet music, adhering closely to the finest traditions of classical engraving. By automating layout details, LilyPond empowers composers, transcribers, and publishers to concentrate more on the artistry of the music itself, ensuring that the creative process remains at the forefront.