Comparison

Sibelius vs Violin2Notes

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sibelius

Professional music notation software is now available on mobile devices. Create, edit, and hear your compositions anywhere with a full suite of tools optimized for touch and stylus input. Seamlessly sync across platforms and access different feature tiers to suit your needs.

Highlights
  • Professional music notation
  • Cross-platform synchronization
  • High-quality sample library
  • Apple Pencil and touch optimization
  • Innovative note entry
  • Command Search functionality
  • Scalable subscription tiers
Features
Read full description

Sibelius brings professional music notation to iPad and iPhone, putting the workflows used by countless composers, orchestrators, and arrangers at your fingertips. Seamlessly move between iPad, iPhone and desktop, and from studio to coffeeshop to scoring stage, and write anywhere inspiration strikes. # Work on scores anywhere Sibelius for mobile puts the #1 selling music notation program at your fingertips—literally. Work with the same tools and features used by countless composers and production houses every day on your iPad and iPhone. Whether writing down ideas, creating full-blown compositions, or reviewing scores, you have the freedom to create wherever you’re comfortable. #Take your portfolio to go Forget having to bring and break out your laptop when meeting with clients and collaborators. Instead, you can conveniently take the world’s most powerful notation toolset and your entire music portfolio with you wherever you go—ideal for those unexpected opportunities. And for tandemly working through last-minute revisions. # Hear your music in stunning detail Sibelius includes a high-quality sample library filled with a variety of musical instrumentation, so you can hear what your music will sound like when performed by real musicians. The Espressivo advanced notation interpretation even lets you adjust rhythm and swing to create a more humanistic feel. # Speed your workflow Sibelius for mobile is designed to take full advantage of Apple Pencil and iPad touch capabilities. Its elegant, streamlined interface provides the most intuitive and efficient workflows possible while supporting the same keyboard shortcuts you know and love from working on the desktop version, so you’ll feel right at home. # Get innovative note entry Experience the pen and paper workflow reimagined. Enter notes with the onscreen Keypad or a keyboard, and Sibelius takes care of all note layout. Touch a note and drag up or down to change its value, or drag left or right to add a flat or sharp. With an Apple Pencil, tap a note and tilt up or down to add a flat or sharp, or tilt left or right to choose the note value. # Have everything you need In addition to the Keypad, Sibelius for mobile features a Create menu that’s optimized for iOS, making it easy to add clefs, key signatures, time signatures, barlines, symbols, text styles, and more to your score from searchable galleries. You can also quickly search through all Sibelius commands using the Command Search, putting the entire app at your fingertips. # Move tiers to meet needs Sibelius is designed to grow with you to support your creative aspirations and project needs. From the introductory (and free) Sibelius First to the industry-standard Sibelius Ultimate, you can add more notation capabilities and instrument parts to take on more creative opportunities by simply upgrading your subscription tier. # Have everything on one creative platform Seamlessly move from desktop to tablet and back without ever having to import or export files. That’s because whether on mobile or desktop, you’re always in Sibelius. With files saved to iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or other iOS-supported cloud service, you have easy anywhere access to all your ideas and scores. # Enable a hybrid workflow While Sibelius for mobile is fully featured, providing many of the same tools as its desktop counterpart, there are some notation and layout features only available in the desktop version, making it an integral part of a complete workflow (compare versions). Plus, the mobile version comes free with the desktop version, enabling you to work where and how you want.

About

Violin2Notes

Read full description

FEATURES • Convert string instruments into sheet music automatically • Create free demo transcriptions (short recordings) • Upload MP3, paste a YouTube link, or record directly • Clear and readable violin notation • Listen to playback of your transcription • Export as PDF, MIDI, or MusicXML • Access your transcriptions across supported devices • Store all your files in your personal songbook • Share your violin, viola, cello and double bass sheets easily HOW IT WORKS 1. Record, upload, or paste a YouTube link. 2. Klangio AI analyzes the string instruments and transcribes it automatically. 3. View, play, and download your results as sheet music, MIDI, or MusicXML. Compatible with: MuseScore, Sibelius, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, GarageBand WHY VIOLIN2NOTES? • Transcribes strings even when other instruments are present • For violin, viola, cello and double bass • Fast and easy music transcription • No manual note writing required • Works directly on your phone • Perfect for practice, learning, and composing LIMITATIONS • Not real-time – processing takes a short moment • Not 100% perfect – results depend on recording quality REQUIREMENTS • Internet connection • Microphone access SUMMARY Violin2Notes is a fast and easy way to turn violin recordings into sheet music. Perfect for beginners and professionals who want to transcribe their playing or learn new pieces. CONTACT Got feedback or ideas? Contact us at http://klang.io/ The Apple Terms of Use apply: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Sibelius4 screens
Violin2Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Violin2Notes at none against Sibelius's 2. Sibelius's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sibelius sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Violin2Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sibelius ships an update every 2 months, Violin2Notes every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sibelius versus Violin2Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSibeliusViolin2Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (1.8K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews35.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.8K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvid®Klangio GmbH

Bugs and requests

Sibelius

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Scores disappearing or not saving properly
  • Subscription issues and inability to log in
  • Crashes when performing basic actions
  • Compatibility problems with newer iPad OS versions

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to enlarge chord symbols
  • More time signature options
  • Support for MIDI input
  • Better Apple Pencil integration
  • Autosave and improved file management
Show 2 more
  • Export options like MusicXML and PDF
  • Customizable shortcuts and toolbars

Violin2Notes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sibelius

Subscriptions2
  • Sibelius Artist for iOS1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Sibelius Ultimate for iOS1 Month trial$12.991 Month
None

Violin2Notes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sibelius free?
Sibelius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Violin2Notes free?
Violin2Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sibelius or Violin2Notes have ads?
Violin2Notes shows ads; Sibelius does not.
Which is updated more often, Sibelius or Violin2Notes?
Sibelius ships an update every 2 months, and Violin2Notes every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sibelius was updated on October 13, 2026 and Violin2Notes on October 10, 2026.

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