MuseScore Studio review: sheet music on your computer

MuseScore Studio is free open-source sheet music software for writing, playing and printing music on your computer.² The score can stay as a file on that computer, and cloud save also stores a copy on musescore.com.⁵ Convert, which needs an account, saves the new score to that account.⁸

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: Free music notation and composition software.²

Works on: Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, and Linux from 2022 onward. Some BSD packages are listed too.¹

Price: Free, with no account required. A free musescore.com account is used for cloud save and Convert.²⁴⁵⁸

Licence: GNU GPL version 3. Bundled fonts use the GNU Freefont licence. Embedding one in a document does not by itself put that document under the GPL.³

Best for: Writing your own sheet music and keeping the score file on your computer.

Official site: musescore.org

What MuseScore Studio does (and how it protects your privacy)

MuseScore Studio is a notation program. You write on a virtual page, then print the score or make a PDF.² A built-in sequencer and synthesizer play it back. You can also enter notes from MIDI, a message format used by instruments and software.²

The file can stay on your computer or on a MuseScore.com account.⁵ Native files use .mscz and .mscx. The program also opens MusicXML and MIDI.⁵ MusicXML is a score file other notation programs can open. MuseScore 4 uses MusicXML 4.0, and some of that exchange is still missing.⁶ Save to computer opens the system save dialog. The first time, you can pick the computer instead of the cloud.⁵

The privacy policy says the app does not ask for an account, a name or an address.⁴ A cloud score is stored on musescore.com, with a local copy kept as well.⁵ Version 4.7.6 adds Convert, which starts from a PDF or a photo, or, in beta, from a recording or a YouTube or Audio.com link. It is free, needs a musescore.com account, and saves the score privately until you publish it.⁸

MuseScore Studio key features

Templates: A new score starts with 32 measures, and you can change that number.⁷
Typing notes: Press N, type A to G, and use keys 1 through 7 for note length.⁷
Playback and MIDI: A built-in sequencer and synthesizer play the score. A MIDI keyboard can enter notes, and MIDI files can move in or out.²
MusicXML and MEI: Both can be imported and exported. MEI support started in version 4.2.²⁶
A readable page: Print the score, or export a PDF.²⁶
Audio: Export includes MP3 and WAV. Use WAV before editing in Audacity.⁶
Local or cloud save: Save to computer keeps the file on the computer. Save to cloud can be Private, Unlisted or Public.⁵⁷

MuseScore Studio pros and cons

Pros

The program is free, under the GNU GPL version 3.²³
The privacy policy says you can use it without an account or contact details.⁴
Save to computer uses your system’s save dialog, so you choose the folder.⁵
Downloads cover Windows, macOS and Linux, including a Windows and Mac build without MuseHub.¹
The download page calls 4.7.6 the latest stable version, released 26 October 2026.¹

Cons

Update checking is on by default. It sends the version, the system and an IP address. The policy says the full address is never stored, only the first three octets, and the check can be turned off in Preferences.⁴
An application error can send a dump file. The policy says the IP address is discarded before storage.⁴
The first save offers the cloud or the computer. A cloud score is updated online, and the first cloud save asks whether to upload audio. Choosing to upload it creates an MP3.⁵
Convert needs a musescore.com account, allows 200 scores per account for now, and stores the result there.⁸
Some MusicXML features are not implemented yet.⁶
Plan on 500 MB of disk space, or 15 GB with MuseSounds, and on Windows 10, macOS 11 or Linux from 2022.¹

Is MuseScore Studio safe and private?

The licence names MuseScore Limited, and others, as the copyright holder for 1999–2026.³ The privacy policy names MuseCY SM Ltd, in Limassol, Cyprus, as the data controller. It says the source is public, so the data sent can be inspected, and that privacy changes will be published before they ship. The policy date is 22 July 2024.⁴

Update checking is on by default and can be turned off in Preferences. The policy says the full IP address is never stored, only the first three octets are kept, and the anonymised record covers country, version, dates, CPU and operating system. It says that data is deleted within 12 months, stored in the EU or EEA, and that personal information is not shared with third parties.⁴

If an application error occurs, a dump file is sent, and the IP address is discarded before storage. The report can include the version, the system, error codes and a stack trace, a record of what the program was doing. The policy says network features are optional, and that data is collected only for the network features you use.⁴ A computer save stays in the folder you choose.⁵ MuseScore.com, Audio.com and YouTube links are separate services with their own rules.⁴

How to get started with MuseScore Studio

Download 4.7.6 from the official page. Open musescore.org/en/download. On Windows or Mac, use the build without MuseHub, or use MuseHub (Windows 10 or later, or macOS 12 or later).¹
Check the computer. The page asks for Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, or Linux from 2022, plus 8 GB of memory. Allow 500 MB, or 15 GB with MuseSounds. The Linux AppImage needs fuse2.¹
On Linux, use the AppImage. An AppImage is one file you can run. The page suggests it for the latest version, because distribution packages are often out of date.¹
Write a short score. Click New score, pick a template, then click Next and Done. Press N, type the letters A to G, and use keys 1 through 7 for note lengths.⁷
Save on the computer. Choose File, then Save. If asked, pick the computer, then “Don’t show again”.⁵⁷
Export a copy. Use File, then Export. Choose PDF to print, or MusicXML for another notation program. For audio you will edit, export WAV and open it in Audacity.⁶ A nightly build can save a file that a later nightly, or a released version, may not open.¹

Who should use MuseScore Studio (and who might prefer something else)

MuseScore Studio fits someone who wants to start from a template, hear the score played back, print or export a page, and save the file in a folder they choose.²⁵⁷ Use cloud save or Convert when you also want the score on musescore.com.⁵⁸

For drums, bass and a mix, LMMS is a desktop studio for original tracks. For drum patterns alone, Hydrogen is a drum machine. After you export audio, Audacity can edit or convert that recording.⁶

Frequently asked questions

Is MuseScore Studio free?

Yes. It is free and open source, under the GNU GPL version 3, and the app does not require an account.²³⁴ A MuseScore.com account is free. Convert is free, with a cap of 200 conversions per account for now.⁵⁸

Is MuseScore Studio safe?

The privacy policy says the app does not ask for your name or address, that update checking can be turned off, and that the full IP address is never stored. Anonymised data stays in the EU or EEA and is deleted within 12 months.⁴ A computer save stays in the folder you choose. Cloud save and Convert also store the score on musescore.com.⁵⁸

Does MuseScore Studio work on iPhone?

The download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux and some BSD packages as the ways to install MuseScore Studio. It does not list an iPhone or iPad app.¹

Does MuseScore Studio upload my scores?

Save to computer uses the system save dialog. Save to cloud stores the score on musescore.com, keeps a local copy, and asks whether to upload audio. If you choose to upload it, the program makes an MP3. Private means other people do not see the score online. Public means anyone on musescore.com can.⁵ Convert keeps the new score private on your account until you publish it.⁸