The 6 Best Alternatives to Finale in 2024: Which Software Should You Use?

The end of Finale, one of the leading music notation software programs for over 35 years, has left many musicians uncertain about their next step.

After the official announcement in August 2024 regarding the discontinuation of Finale’s development and distribution, numerous users are now without a viable solution for composing and editing their sheet music.

Guitar Pro 8, with its advanced features and musician-centered design, emerges as one of the best options to fill that gap.

In this article, we present a selection of alternatives to Finale, both paid and free. Let’s dive into the list!

What Is the Best Alternative to Finale?

If you’re searching for music notation software capable of replacing Finale, Guitar Pro 8 stands out as one of the top options. Here’s why this software is an ideal choice for musicians looking for a powerful, user-friendly tool:

• Intuitive sheet music and tablature editing
• Extensive chord and scale library
• Educational tools: metronome, loop, speed trainer
• Realistic instruments and effects for professional-quality sound
• Easy sharing with musicians and students
• Broad compatibility with various formats

The Best Paid Alternatives to Finale

Guitar Pro 8 – The Leading Choice for Tabs and Sheet Music

Software Overview

Guitar Pro 8 is a leading software for creating, editing, and playing tablatures and sheet music. Used by millions of musicians worldwide for over 25 years, it offers a wealth of tools for composing, learning, and sharing music, whether you’re a guitarist or multi-instrumentalist.

With Guitar Pro, you can create professional-quality sheet music, play realistic accompaniments, and unleash your creativity through its numerous advanced features.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Intuitive and powerful interface
• Extensive library of chords and scales
• Effective playback and learning tools (loop, metronome, speed trainer)
• Realistic sounds with over 100 integrated instruments and effects
• Widely recognized sharing format (Guitar Pro tabs)
• Very affordable compared to Finale’s historic entry-level version ($119.95)

Cons:

• Paid software (though a free 7-day trial is available)
• Some features require a bit of a learning curve

Price

• €69.95 for new users
• €34.95 for existing users (license upgrade)

Dorico – A Comprehensive Tool for Composition and Notation

Software Overview

Dorico is a music composition and notation software suitable for all skill levels. Available on macOS, Windows, and iPad, it provides intelligent tools for composing, arranging, and publishing professional sheet music. Dorico offers multiple versions to cater to beginners and professionals alike.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Suitable for all levels, from amateur to professional
• Wide range of editing tools
• Automatic and elegant sheet music layout

Cons:

• High price for the Pro version
• Learning curve for advanced features
• Technical interface

Price

• Free (Dorico SE)
• €99.99 (Dorico Elements)
• €579.00 (Dorico Pro)

Sibelius – The Music Notation Software for Professionals and Educators

Software Overview

Sibelius is a renowned music notation software used by composers, arrangers, and educators worldwide. It offers advanced features such as automatic layout, cloud collaboration, and publication options. Sibelius is available across platforms (desktop, mobile) and caters to both professionals and beginners.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Compatible on desktop and mobile
• Advanced editing and layout features
• Easy collaboration through the cloud

Cons:

• High price for the full version
• Limited features in the free version

Price

• Free (Sibelius First)
• €99 per year (Sibelius Artist)
• €199 per year (Sibelius Ultimate)

Noteflight – The Collaborative Online Score Editor

Software Overview

Noteflight is an online platform that enables easy composition, playback, and sharing of sheet music. With an intuitive interface and collaborative tools, it’s ideal for musicians, teachers, and students. Noteflight also offers an impressive catalog of over 80,000 scores for learning and musical performance.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Accessible online score editor
• Easy collaboration with sharing and access to a vast catalog
• Compatible with Google Classroom for teaching

Cons:

• Some advanced features are only available in paid versions
• Limited audio quality without a Premium subscription

Price

• Noteflight Basic: free
• Noteflight Premium: $49/year
• Noteflight Learn (for schools): $69/year

The Best Free Alternatives to Finale for Reading and Editing Tabs

MuseScore – Free and Open-Source Music Notation Software

Software Overview

MuseScore is a completely free and open-source sheet music editor, used by both professional and amateur musicians. It enables users to compose, arrange, and share scores for various ensembles (piano, orchestra, guitar, jazz, choir, etc.).

MuseScore supports import/export via MusicXML, MIDI, and other formats, and is compatible with Guitar Pro.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Free and unrestricted
• Open-source with a large developer community
• Compatible with multiple import/export formats, including Guitar Pro

Cons:

• Fewer advanced features compared to paid software
• Interface may feel less intuitive for some users

Price

Free (MuseScore Studio)

TuxGuitar – The Classic Free Tablature Editor

Software Overview

TuxGuitar is a free and open-source tablature editor that allows users to create and edit guitar tabs and sheet music. It supports the import and export of Guitar Pro files (gp3, gp4, gp5) and offers a straightforward interface for notation and MIDI editing. TuxGuitar is available on multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android.

Pros and Cons of the Software

Pros:

• Free and open-source
• Compatible with Guitar Pro files
• Available across various operating systems

Cons:

• Limited features compared to paid software
• Less active development since moving to GitHub

Price

Free (TuxGuitar)

Conclusion

The end of Finale has left many musicians searching for a new solution to compose and edit their sheet music. Fortunately, several solid alternatives exist, both paid and free, like Dorico, Sibelius, Noteflight, MuseScore, and TuxGuitar.

However, for those seeking a comprehensive, intuitive, and powerful tool, Guitar Pro 8 stands out as the best alternative, offering a wide range of features tailored to modern musicians.

Take advantage of the Crossgrade offer and easily switch from Finale to Guitar Pro 8.