Dorico vs LilyPond

Dorico9.3Visit LLilyPond8.5Visit

Higher score Dorico #1 in Music Notation Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 60-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dorico

vs

L LilyPond #7 in Music Notation Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit LilyPond

• Dorico fits best

  Professional composers and engravers

• LilyPond fits best

  Users who prefer text-based engraving

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Side by side

Feature	Dorico 9.3/10 Visit ↗	LLilyPond 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.5
Ranking	#1 in Music Notation Software	#7 in Music Notation Software
Best for	Professional composers and engravers	Users who prefer text-based engraving
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Features Dorico 4/5 · LilyPond 4/5
MusicXML support	✓	✓
MIDI support	✓	✓
Parts extraction	✓	✓
Tablature support	✓	✓
Collaboration features	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Combines score creation, engraving, page layout, and instrumental parts Supports MusicXML, MIDI, tablature, playback, and audio export Offers a 60-day trial plus free macOS, Windows, and iPad editions	Text input supports customized engraved sheet-music output Imports MusicXML and MIDI through command-line tools Prepares parts and supports tablature, lead sheets, and MIDI output
Cons	Advanced engraving and layout capabilities are reserved for Pro The iPad edition has optional paid functionality Desktop editions are limited to macOS and Windows	Text-first entry is more specialized than graphical score editing Importing MusicXML or MIDI relies on command-line tools Desktop software may not suit users seeking a browser-based workflow
Our verdict	Dorico is Steinberg’s music notation and composition software for composers, arrangers, educators, publishers, and performers who need to create scores and performance materials. Its shared project structure brings players, flows, layouts,… Read the review →	LilyPond turns text-based music input into engraved sheet music. It is aimed at musicians, arrangers, and educators who prefer describing notation in text rather than entering notes through a graphical score editor. The program supports… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Dorico — where it wins

  • Combines score creation, engraving, page layout, and instrumental parts
  • Supports MusicXML, MIDI, tablature, playback, and audio export
  • Offers a 60-day trial plus free macOS, Windows, and iPad editions

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced engraving and layout capabilities are reserved for Pro
  • The iPad edition has optional paid functionality
  • Desktop editions are limited to macOS and Windows

• LilyPond — where it wins

  • Text input supports customized engraved sheet-music output
  • Imports MusicXML and MIDI through command-line tools
  • Prepares parts and supports tablature, lead sheets, and MIDI output

  Where it doesn't

  • Text-first entry is more specialized than graphical score editing
  • Importing MusicXML or MIDI relies on command-line tools
  • Desktop software may not suit users seeking a browser-based workflow

• Dorico9.3/10 · Free plan · 60-day trial

  A full notation and engraving workflow, with free editions and a 60-day trial.

  Visit DoricoFull verdict →
• LLilyPond8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source engraver for musicians comfortable entering scores as text.

  Visit LilyPondFull verdict →