Comparison of MIDI editors and sequencers


Notable software MIDI editors and sequencers are listed in the following table.
SoftwarePlatformLicenseDeveloperEditing interfaceNotes
ADSR Online Midi Editor & PlayerLinux, macOS, WindowsproprietaryMidiPro.orgEvent list, microtonal notationComplete Online Midi Editor & Player. Unlimited number of tracks, which can include ADSR envelopes, low-pass filters, and LFO modulators. Supports microtonality: any synth can play 48 microtones per octave.
Anvil StudioWindowsFreemiumWillow SoftwareScore, piano roll, tablature, event listFull-featured MIDI editor & sequencer with staff, piano roll, percussion, event list, and audio editors.
ArdourFreeBSD, Linux, macOS, WindowsGNU GPLPaul Davis, and The Ardour CommunityPiano roll, event listMIDI support began with version 3.
Aria MaestosaLinux, macOS, WindowsGNU GPL 2MIDI sequencer/editor with score, keyboard, guitar, drum and controller views.
B-Step SequencermacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Raspberry PiproprietaryMonoplugsA step sequencer to create arpeggios, chord progressions, basslines or percussions. Available as VST, Audio Units or standalone program
Band-in-a-BoxmacOS, WindowsproprietaryPG MusicAccompaniment sequencer with audio loops and more.
Steinberg CubasemacOS, Windows
proprietarySteinbergScore, piano roll, event list
Deluxe Music Construction SetAmigaOS, macOSproprietaryElectronic Arts
Digital PerformermacOSproprietaryMark of the Unicorn
DirectMusic ProducerWindowsfreewareMicrosoftpart of DirectMusic SDK
FinalemacOS, Windowsproprietary, freeware version existsMakemusic, Inc.ScoreComposition and sequencing program, with various versions, including freeware "NotePad" version
FL StudioWindows, macOS, Android, iOSproprietaryImage-LinePiano roll, step sequencer
GarageBandmacOS, iOSproprietaryAppleImport only, saves to native format
Guitar ProLinux, macOS, WindowsproprietaryArobas Music
Indaba MusicmacOS, Windowsproprietary
JFugueLinux, macOS, Windows GNU LGPLProgramming library
KeyKitLinux, WindowsFree for non-commercial use, source available
LilyPondFreeBSD, Linux, macOS, WindowsGNU GPL
LivemacOS, WindowsproprietaryAbletonPiano roll
Logic PromacOS
proprietaryApple/Emagic Full-featured GUI MIDI sequencer with notation screen, event editor, MCI, SMPTE sync., etc. Tested to work under Win 10 1903.
MIDI Converter StudioWindowsSharewareManiacToolsMIDI file converter, karaoke converter
MixcraftWindowsproprietaryAcousticaAudio and MIDI sequencer, support for VSTis, MIDI recording, editing, and playback
MozartWindowsproprietaryDavid WebberMusic notation software for simple tunes to full scores of up to 64 parts
MuLabWindows, macOSproprietaryMutoolsMIDI and audio full DAW. Support for customizable modular DSP graphs. For electronic music but not only.
MultitrackStudioWindows, macOS, iOSproprietaryBremmers Audio DesignMIDI and audio full DAW, simple user interface, flexible MIDI editing
MusELinuxGNU GPLPiano roll, event listOpen source midi and audio work station with support for VST, DSSI, LADSPA and LV2
MuseScoreLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS GNU GPLWerner SchweerScoreMusic notation software with full MusicXML support. Piano roll editor, unlimited parts. good stability below 300 000 notes, edit multiple files at once, user friendly GUI, portable edition.
MusinkWindowsproprietaryLee ReidMusic notation freeware with MIDI output, loop, and playback functionality
Notation ComposerWindows, with Wine supportproprietaryNotation SoftwareScore, piano rollFull featured notation software program and MIDI sequencer
NoteEditLinuxGNU GPLDefunct; last stable release September 2006
NoteWorthy ComposerWindowsproprietaryNoteworthy SoftwareCan import and export MIDI data, but only edit and display it as a musical score. Runs correctly in wine.
OverturemacOS, WindowsproprietaryGeniesoftNotation, tab, piano-roll, MIDI/step sequencing, VST/VSTi host
PodiumWindowsproprietaryZynewave
Pro ToolsmacOS, WindowsproprietaryAvidScore, piano roll, event list
QtractorLinuxGNU GPLAudio MIDI multi-track sequencer application written in C++ in the Qt framework
REAPERmacOS, WindowsproprietaryCockosScore, piano roll, event listSupports guitar tabs and MIDI2Tab conversion with TabEditor plug
ReasonmacOS, WindowsproprietaryPropellerheadPiano roll
RenoiseLinux, macOS, WindowsproprietaryTrackerDemo version available
RosegardenLinuxGNU GPLScore, piano roll, event listAudio, MIDI sequence, record. Win VST support, LADSPA, JACK
ScalaLinux, macOS, Windowsfreeware, noncommercialManuel Op de CoulSpecializes in tuning; converts ascii score file to MIDI
Seq24Linux, WindowsGNU GPLPiano RollMIDI loops sequencer
SibeliusmacOS, WindowsproprietarySibeliusScore, piano roll, tablatureLive scoring of sheet music from MIDI input
SonarWindowsproprietaryCakewalkPiano roll, event list
TuxGuitarFreeBSD, Linux, macOS, Windows GNU LGPLTablature editor
Z-MaestroWindowsproprietary"Lite" version: limited tracks, I/O.