Is MuseScore for Android free?
MuseScore is a popular open source sheet music software for creating, editing, sharing and printing sheet music. It is available across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. The MuseScore app allows users to access MuseScore’s sheet music library and tools on their mobile devices.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the key features of MuseScore and do a deep dive into the Android app – covering the cost, free vs paid features, additional apps and alternatives. We aim to help readers understand what the MuseScore Android app offers and decide if it is suitable for their sheet music needs.
MuseScore Overview
MuseScore was originally created in 2002 by developers Werner Schweer, Nicolas Froment, and Thomas Bonte https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MuseScore. The goal was to develop an open source and free music notation software to rival expensive proprietary options. After releasing the first version in 2002, MuseScore saw rapid growth and adoption by musicians around the world.
As described on the official MuseScore history page, “The more I learn about MuseScore-and not just the software and how to use it to write music, but about the ideas and ideals behind its inception-the more I believe that it represents a real revolution in music notation software.” https://musescore.org/en/node/9511
Today, MuseScore is developed and maintained by a team of musicians and developers dedicated to continued enhancement of the software and community engagement. With a robust feature set and multi-platform availability, MuseScore aims to provide free access to music notation for all.
MuseScore Features
MuseScore is packed with powerful features to aid in music notation, playback, and sharing (MuseScore product description). Some of the key features include:
Music Notation – MuseScore allows for easy and intuitive music notation with a WYSIWYG editor. It supports unlimited staves, time signatures, key signatures, and more. You can input notes with the mouse, keyboard, or MIDI device.
Playback – MuseScore can playback your sheet music with included sounds and samples. You can tweak playback instrument sounds, mix levels, add reverb, and more. Audio export allows you to save as MP3, WAV, FLAC, and more.
Sharing – MuseScore makes it easy to share your compositions. You can directly publish to MuseScore.com or export sheet music as PDF, PNG, SVG, and more. Collaborative editing allows you to work with others.
MuseScore for Android
MuseScore first released a mobile app for Android in November 2016. This initial release was called MuseScore Player and it allowed users to download, view and play sheet music that was created with the MuseScore desktop application. However, the app did not have notation capabilities – it was solely focused on sheet music playback and audio.1
In June 2021, MuseScore launched a new MuseScore Mobile app for Android that provides basic music notation features. Users can enter notes, alter rhythms and playback compositions directly on their Android device. However, the Android app does not yet have the full range of notation tools available in the desktop software. Many advanced features like lyrics, chord symbols, articulations, dynamics and more are still in development.2
So while Android users can now notation music directly on their mobile device using MuseScore, the capabilities are still limited compared to the desktop. The company states they are working hard to reach feature parity between platforms.
MuseScore for Android Cost
The base MuseScore app for Android is free to download and use (source). This gives you access to browse, play, and download scores from MuseScore’s library of over 700,000 free sheet music arrangements. You can also listen to piano recordings synced to the sheet music.
However, the free Android app has some limitations compared to the paid pro version. With the free app you cannot create, edit, or upload scores – it is view/play only. If you want full composing and notation capabilities on Android, you need MuseScore Pro which unlocks advanced features like score creation/editing, MIDI import/export, offline apps access, and removing ads (source). MuseScore Pro is a paid subscription available on Android for $3.99/month or $34.99/year.
So in summary – the base MuseScore Android app is free but read-only. To unlock full composing, editing, and uploading powers, you need the paid MuseScore Pro subscription.
MuseScore Pro
MuseScore Pro is a paid subscription that unlocks additional professional features beyond the free version of MuseScore. Some of the key features of MuseScore Pro include:
- Advanced audio playback with higher quality sounds and more expressive performances
- Ability to export MP3 and WAV files
- Unlimited score sharing with automatic cloud syncing across devices
- Create unlimited private sheets and access them from anywhere
- Get unlimited access to the ever-growing library of score templates
- Dark theme and other customization options
MuseScore Pro is available on monthly and annual subscription plans, which allow you to unlock these pro features across desktop, web, and mobile apps. According to the MuseScore website, the Pro subscription starts at $3.99/month or $39.99/year.
The Pro features aim to provide a more advanced, customizable, and integrated experience for serious musicians and score creators. However, the free version of MuseScore still offers a solid notation software option for more casual users and beginners.
Free vs Pro Comparison
While MuseScore offers a generous free version, there are additional features available with a paid MuseScore Pro subscription. Here’s an overview of what’s included in each:
| Feature | MuseScore (Free) | MuseScore Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Create and edit scores | ✅ | ✅ |
| Print and export scores | ✅ | ✅ |
| Download scores from Musescore.com library | ✅ Public Domain only | ✅ Unlimited |
| Sync scores across devices | ✅ 2 scores | ✅ Unlimited |
| Additional sounds and instruments | ❌ | ✅ |
| Remove ads | ❌ | ✅ |
As shown in the table, the main advantages of the Pro version are gaining unlimited access to scores in the Musescore.com library, syncing an unlimited number of scores across devices, additional sounds/instruments, and removing ads. The core notation and composition features are available for free.
For many users, the free version of MuseScore provides sufficient capabilities for music notation and practice. Upgrading to Pro mainly benefits advanced users who want to access a wider range of scores and sounds.
Additional MuseScore Apps
In addition to the MuseScore app for Android, MuseScore offers apps for other platforms like iOS and web browsers. Some key points on additional MuseScore apps:
MuseScore offers a free app for iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. The iOS app provides the full MuseScore notation experience optimized for touch screens. Users can create, play, print, and share sheet music compositions.
There is also a web-based version of MuseScore that runs in browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The web app provides core notation and playback features without needing to download software.
Other MuseScore apps target specific platforms like Windows, Linux, Chromebooks. The apps have the same core features but optimized for each platform. This allows MuseScore to be accessible across devices.
While the native apps provide the full experience, the web app offers convenient access for more casual users. Having both native apps and a web version gives users flexibility in how they access MuseScore’s notation features.
Alternatives to MuseScore
While MuseScore is a popular free music notation software for Android, there are some other free and paid alternatives worth considering. Some of the top alternative music notation apps include:
TuxGuitar – An open source and completely free music notation software with multi-track editing and tablature support. Available on Windows, Linux and Android.
Guitar Pro – A paid music notation software with advanced tablature editing features. It costs $59.95 for the desktop version but has a free mobile app.
Rosegarden – An open source digital audio workstation and notation editor for Linux. The desktop version is free but there is no mobile app yet.
Flat – A newer music notation app for Android and iOS focused on ease of use and real-time collaboration for songwriting and composition. The core app is free.
While these alternatives have their own pros and cons compared to MuseScore, they provide other free and low-cost options for notation and composition on Android mobile devices. Most lack the full features of MuseScore’s desktop program but can still be useful for basic notation needs.
Conclusion
In summary, MuseScore for Android offers a free and premium version. The free version provides access to the essential music notation and composition features, allowing you to write, play back, print, and share sheet music. There are no limits on scores or instruments.
The premium MuseScore Pro subscription unlocks additional advanced features like offline sheet music access, smart MIDI imports, unlimited customizations, and removes ads. While the free version is quite fully-featured, MuseScore Pro offers power users and professionals extra customization and productivity.
For most casual users and musicians, the free MuseScore for Android app will likely meet their music notation needs. But professionals may find the productivity boosts of MuseScore Pro worthwhile. There are also free or cheaper alternative notation apps, but MuseScore provides a nice balance of quality and free access.
