Freedom251 › Music notation software
Canorus
What Canorus is
Canorus is a desktop music score editor for writing and editing musical notation. It supports notes, rests, clefs, key signatures, and time signatures, as well as lyrics, chord markings, and multiple voices. Scores can contain an unlimited number and length of staffs. The project lists import and export for MIDI, MusicXML, and LilyPond, along with ABC Music and MusiXTeX. It can record and play MIDI and configure General MIDI instruments. For output, Canorus provides print preview and printing through LilyPond, plus PDF and SVG export based on LilyPond. Other listed tools include document recovery, undo and redo, copy and paste, scripting, and plugins. Python support is working; Ruby is described as planned. Canorus is free libre software under GPLv3, with publicly available source code, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The README warns that the project is in heavy development and some features are not implemented. Building it requires development tools and dependencies such as Qt, SWIG, a C++ compiler, CMake, and Python development files.
Who it suits
Canorus suits people writing musical scores who need notation, multiple voices, and import or export across music formats. Its public source code and GPLv3 license may also suit users who want free libre software.
What it does well
- Free libre software licensed under GPLv3
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Imports and exports MIDI, MusicXML, and LilyPond
- Supports MIDI recording and playback
- Offers unlimited staff count and length
What to know first
- The project says some features are not implemented
- Building requires development tools and dependencies
- Ruby support is described as planned
Limits
Canorus is free, but the project README says not all features are implemented. Building it requires development dependencies including Qt, SWIG, a C++ compiler, CMake, and Python development files.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Canorus | Free libre software · GNU GPLv3 | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Canorus project page on GitHub.
- Download or build the desktop software for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- For a build, prepare Qt development tools, SWIG, a C++ compiler, CMake, and Python development files.
- Create or edit notation, then import or export supported music formats.
- Use LilyPond for print preview and printing, or export PDF and SVG.
Verdict
Canorus covers score writing, MIDI, and several music file formats without a software charge. Its development status and build requirements are worth considering before adoption.
Questions
How much does Canorus cost?
Canorus is free libre software under GNU GPLv3.
Which operating systems does Canorus support?
The project describes support for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X; its platform listing also includes macOS.
What music formats does Canorus support?
The project lists MIDI, MusicXML, and LilyPond import and export, along with formats including ABC Music and MusiXTeX.
Is Canorus open source?
Yes. Its source code is publicly available under GNU GPLv3.
Can Canorus record and play MIDI?
Yes. It supports MIDI recording and playback, with General MIDI instrument configuration.
What should users know about its development status?
The project README says Canorus is in heavy development and that not all features are implemented. The latest listed release, 0.7.3rc3, is described as a release candidate.
Facts from Canorus's own pages
- Build requirements
- The README lists Qt development tools, SWIG, a C++ compiler, CMake and Python development files among build requirements. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- desktop · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Development status
- The project README says Canorus is in heavy development and that not all features are implemented. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The project lists import and export support for MIDI, MusicXML and LilyPond, alongside other formats including ABC Music and MusiXTeX. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The release notes describe score-writing capabilities including notes, rests, clefs, key and time signatures, lyrics, and multiple voices, indicating use by music notation authors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Languages and dependencies
- The README describes Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X support and lists Qt, SWIG, CMake, a C++ compiler, and Python development packages among build dependencies. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project README says Canorus is licensed under GPLv3 and makes its source code publicly available. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- LilyPond
- Release notes describe LilyPond import and export, including using LilyPond for score printing and preview. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The README warns that not all features are implemented and documents runtime dependencies on Qt and Python, with MinGW also required on Windows. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- MIDI
- Release notes list MIDI import and export, playback, and an integrated MIDI recorder among the capabilities added to the program. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Music formats
- The project describes import and export for various file formats, including MIDI input and output. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- MusicXML
- Release notes list MusicXML import and basic MusicXML export. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Notation
- Canorus supports standard notation elements including notes, rests, clefs, key signatures and time signatures. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Canorus is free libre software licensed under GNU GPL, and its source code is publicly available. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Other features
- The listed features include lyrics, chord markings, document recovery, undo and redo, and copy and paste. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project README says Canorus runs on Linux, Windows, macOS and other platforms. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Printing
- Canorus offers print preview and printing through LilyPond, plus PDF and SVG export based on LilyPond. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Canorus is a free music score editor for writing and editing musical notation. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Recent release listed
- The GitHub releases page lists 0.7.3rc3 as the latest release and describes it as a release candidate. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Score capacity
- Canorus supports polyphony and an unlimited number and length of staffs. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- The project README lists scripting support, and its build notes describe optional Python and Ruby support. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Canorus stands on Freedom251
- Music notation software#21 of 38