# CalmusNotation vs Sibelius

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sibelius at 36% against CalmusNotation's 0%. Sibelius also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 5) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). CalmusNotation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.4 vs 4.2). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CalmusNotation holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sibelius has 1.8K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of CalmusNotation's written reviews are positive against 36% of Sibelius's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

CalmusNotation ships an update every 4 months, Sibelius every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalmusNotation | Sibelius |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmusnotation/id993026661/reviews)** | [4.2 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sibelius/id1503221259/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **35.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 294 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Erki-tonlist sf](https://appshunter.io/developer/929321904) | [Avid®](https://appshunter.io/developer/436394595) |

## What reviewers say

### CalmusNotation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmusnotation/id993026661)

Create and visualize musical compositions using AI-powered graphical notation. This app leverages advanced AI, inspired by NASA's Lisp programming, to generate original music based on user input and can display music from other compatible apps for live performance.

**Highlights:** AI-powered music composition, Graphical notation display, Real-time performance visualization, Lisp-based AI engine, User input-driven music creation, Integration with CalmusComposer and CalmusPlay

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sibelius

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sibelius/id1503221259)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sibelius Artist for iOS | $5.99 | per month |
| Sibelius Ultimate for iOS | $12.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 🚀 Useful for composing on the go
- 💡 Good for making quick edits to existing scores
- 🎨 Stylish and professional-looking app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes frequently
- 🔒 Difficulty unlocking full version and accessing features
- 💰 Subscription service is very expensive
- 🔇 Limited sound library and poor playback quality
- 📁 Unreliable saving and file management

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Ability to enlarge chord symbols
- More time signature options
- Support for MIDI input
- Better Apple Pencil integration
- Autosave and improved file management


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalmusNotation free?

CalmusNotation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sibelius free?

Sibelius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CalmusNotation or Sibelius?

CalmusNotation is rated higher. CalmusNotation averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Sibelius averages 4.2 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do CalmusNotation or Sibelius have ads?

Neither CalmusNotation nor Sibelius shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CalmusNotation or Sibelius?

CalmusNotation ships an update every 4 months, and Sibelius every 2 months. Most recently, CalmusNotation was updated on June 5, 2026 and Sibelius on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*