Freedom251 › Music notation software
Notation Composer
What Notation Composer is
Notation Composer is desktop music-notation software from Notation Software Germany GmbH in Utting am Ammersee, Germany. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works with MIDI and MusicXML files. You can create music from scratch or arrange imported files, entering notes with a mouse, MIDI instrument, or computer keyboard in real time or Step Time. Score editing includes lyrics, text, performance annotations, and music symbols. Composer can transpose passages, prepare fake-book lead sheets and chord charts, make piano reductions, and extract parts. Synchronized conductor scores can be paired with individual instrument or voice parts for bands, choirs, and other groups. Collaboration features are listed. The paid plan is $198.99 a month for one PC, with free minor-version upgrades, email support, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. A free trial download is available in four languages. A Band-in-a-Box plugin trial offers 25 styles for 60 days.
Who it suits
It suits musicians, arrangers, bands, choirs, and other groups creating or revising notation on desktop computers. MIDI and MusicXML users may find its import, editing, and export tools relevant.
What it does well
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Imports MIDI and MusicXML files
- Extracts parts and coordinates conductor scores
- Offers lyrics, symbols, and performance annotations
- Includes free trial downloads in four languages
What to know first
- No free plan
- Costs $198.99 a month
- License covers one PC at a time
- Plugin trial expires after 60 days
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Notation Composer | $ 198.99 USD; Price w/o tax · One license for one PC · transferable to another PC of the same licensee · free upgrades for minor versions | $198.99, paid once |
As notation.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Notation Composer combines score creation, arranging, part extraction, and group score coordination in one desktop application. Its recurring price and single-PC license are important considerations, while the trial and included support provide ways to evaluate it.
Facts from Notation Composer's own pages
- Arranging
- Composer can transpose music, prepare specialty parts such as fake book lead sheets and chord charts, and create piano reductions. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Collaboration features
- Yes · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Company and location
- The maker is Notation Software Germany GmbH, located in Utting am Ammersee, Germany. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- desktop · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Formats
- The maker describes importing MIDI and MusicXML files and exporting MIDI files with changes to lyrics and chord names. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Group use
- It supports synchronized conductor scores with individual instrument or voice parts for bands, choirs, and other groups. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Utting am Ammersee, Germany · notation.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Input methods
- Users can add or edit music with a mouse, MIDI instrument, or computer keyboard, in real time or Step Time. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Integration
- A Band-in-a-Box plugin for Composer can generate accompaniment in 150 styles, and a Composer 5 license is required to use it. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yes · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yes · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Parts extraction
- Yes · notation.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- Version 5 runs on Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Linux; Mac, Chromebook, and Linux use Wine as specified in the requirements. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Plugin trial limit
- Composer includes a Band-in-a-Box plugin trial with 25 styles that expires after 60 days. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says personal data is used for correspondence and the purposes for which it was provided, with limited sharing for delivery or where legally required or consented to. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purchase terms
- Each purchase includes a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee and a license for one PC or laptop at a time. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Notation Composer is music notation software for creating music from scratch or arranging MIDI and MusicXML files. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Score editing
- Features include adding lyrics, text, performance annotations, and music symbols to scores. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Purchases include free email support and access to an online user community. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The maker offers free trial downloads of Notation Composer in English, Spanish, German, and Italian. · notation.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Notation Composer stands on Freedom251
- Music notation software#31 of 38