https://www.finalemusic.com/

After more than 35 years, we have made the decision to sunset the Finale music notation software and all of its associated products (PrintMusic, Notepad, Songwriter). We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our loyal and passionate users. Thank you for letting us be a part of the wonderful music you’ve made over the years.

 

If you would like more information on the decision to sunset our Finale line of products, please refer to the letter from MakeMusic President Greg Dell’Era.

Read the letter

 

Also if Finale will not be able to be authorized after next year, that is essentially saying one will not be able to even access one's Finale files after next year. That is pretty shabby-MakeMusic should really consider unlocking Finale at some point. If I can't transfer Finale to a new computer and run it, when I own the software, then that is pretty poor treatment of one's users.

The entire letter:

The end of Finale

35 years ago, Coda Music Technologies, now MakeMusic, released the first version of Finale, a groundbreaking and user-centered approach to notation software. For over four decades, our engineers and product teams have passionately crafted what would quickly become the gold standard for music notation.

Four decades is a very long time in the software industry. Technology stacks change, Mac and Windows operating systems evolve, and Finale’s millions of lines of code add up. This has made the delivery of incremental value for our customers exponentially harder over time.

Today, Finale is no longer the future of the notation industry—a reality after 35 years, and I want to be candid about this. Instead of releasing new versions of Finale that would offer only marginal value to our users, we’ve made the decision to end its development.

Effective immediately, we are announcing these changes:

• There will be no further updates to Finale, or any of its associated tools (PrintMusic, Notepad, Songwriter)
• It is no longer possible to purchase or upgrade Finale in the MakeMusic eStore
• Finale will continue to work on devices where it is currently installed (barring OS changes)

After one year, beginning August 2025, these changes will go into effect:

• It will not be possible to authorize Finale on any new devices, or reauthorize Finale
• Support for Finale v27 or any other version of Finale will no longer be available

A new journey with Dorico

There is, however, a new future for the notation industry: Dorico, developed by Steinberg, the creators of Cubase and a subsidiary of Yamaha.

Many have competed with Finale over the past four decades, enabling positive and healthy stimulation leading to incremental innovations, but when Dorico launched in 2016, it set a brand new bar for the industry. The dozens of quick releases since then have demonstrated the Dorico team’s passion, dedication, expertise, and long-term commitment—qualities that have been the foundation of Finale’s DNA and success.

While Finale development has come to an end, we know your musical journey has not. I want to sincerely express our warm and deep gratitude to all of our loyal and passionate users. Our entire organization thanks you for your trust, and we believe you have a bright new phase of creativity, productivity, and efficiency ahead with Dorico.

To ensure that Finale users continue to have access to the most advanced and efficient tools available, MakeMusic has partnered with Steinberg to offer an exclusive discount on Dorico Pro.

For a limited time, users of any version of Finale or PrintMusic can purchase Dorico Pro – the highest tier of the product – for just $149 (retail price $579).

Dorico is the best home for Finale users. We know that migrating to a new software will come with its own challenges, which is why we are happy to provide this FAQ that will assist you as you transition from Finale.

To receive your discount on Dorico Pro 5, please log into your MakeMusic account, where you will see the discount available for purchase.

David,

I read that as "new" authorizations - existing machines with authorized versions of Finale will continue to work. Did I mis-read the notice?

So basically, Starting today, I have turned off my "auto update" settings and plan to freeze a couple of Macs in time (with Time-Machine and CCC backups) - so they will continue to work as is - without any new system updates - while I figure out which way to go... Dorico or Sibelius.  The bigger task for me will be converting files to the new software moving forward.  I've had Parallels Desktop working well (with an Intel Mac) emulating old OS versions to allow old Finale versions to run - so this will be just one more level of that until I pick which way to go. FYI - there is no speed loss when doing this - everything is quite fast with this setup.

I feel quite bad for Jan at ElbSound.studio (Perfect Layout)... such a great project... an essential plug-in for many Finale users. If you plan to keep Finale going on a system for a while - get a copy while you still can - it is well worth it.

This news is disappointing for sure, but as you shared - not unexpected...

Frankly, I believe that MuseScore is the future. Muse Group, based in Cyprus, is flush with Russian cash. Their purchase of HalLeonard Publishing last December was HUGE. MuseScore 4 still sucks but is no longer horrible and Muse readily admits this. Version 5 is expected to be the de facto notation app for HL (like Sibelius is for Oxford Press) and they promise it will be good by then. We’ll see…

I have both Dorico and the latest version of MS. Steinberg licensing and installation is still a major PIA that they promise to fix by 2021-no 2023-no 2025 for certain… I’m not holding my breath. I have upgraded my feelings towards MuseScore to dislike but use it in some of my work and hope that v.5 is good enough that I can ignore Dorico except when working with Client’s scores.

We’ll see…

I read that as "new" authorizations - existing machines with authorized versions of Finale will continue to work. Did I mis-read the notice?

Read the letter that I posted earlier. End of life is August 2025.

@Doug-thanks. I am speaking exactly about a new computer. I recently updated my MBP after five years but am pretty sure I had to reauthorize Finale on my new machine even with Migration Assistant doing the heavy lifting. 

I just opened the trial version of Dorico. Butt ugly interface, and lousy authorization scheme. Even worse, though: here is a new work I started last week in Finale 27, compared with what happens to it with MusicXML in Dorico. Not worth exporting, and it's a pretty simple, straightforward piece!

For my needs, MuseScore does it fine. I've been playing with it for the last few months, but I guess it's time to stop playing, and learn for real.

In some ways, I'd rather go to MuseScore than Dorico-the latter seems pretty complicated and I just don't have the time or patience at this point to both unlearn Finale and learn Dorico. On the other hand, the lack of Noteperformer compatibility with Musescore gives me pause since I do use it a lot for recordings. Maybe I need to look at Sibelius, or is that next to be killed off?

NVM-Sibelius is a subscription model. Not about to do that...

David,

I've done a number of projects from scratch in Dorico, and while the workflow process is clearly different, the results were every bit as good as Finale.  In fact, at first it was a little weird not needing to adjust ANYTHING to get a good score - I was so used to tweaking everything - struggled to trust that Dorico would get it right.  I soon discovered, however, that Dorico positions most everything correctly from the start - and re-positions items as necessary as the music is updated, edited, etc. and if you don't like the default positioning, there is most likely a setting to adjust it, as well as simply manually repositioning an item (Engrave mode).  Plus, no other software has Dorico's level of automated score/part condensing.

Having a fast computer is definitely a plus with large scores in Dorico though - with all the automated positioning, page redrawing can slow down considerably on older systems.

We'll be OK - but converting everything over will be a huge task. Maybe there will be a market for "Finale conversion" work... (my attempt at trying to stay positive...)

I could have said that but since you did, I will just repeat it.

... I believe that MuseScore is the future. Muse Group, based in Cyprus, is flush with Russian cash. Their purchase of HalLeonard Publishing last December was HUGE. MuseScore 4 still sucks but is no longer horrible and Muse readily admits this. Version 5 is expected to be the de facto notation app for HL (like Sibelius is for Oxford Press) and they promise it will be good by then. ...

...I have upgraded my feelings towards MuseScore to dislike but use it in some of my work and hope that v.5 is good...

I wish they would just open source it.

It still has value. MM could probably sell it for a few pennies on the dollar. Somebody like Jason Loffredo or Jan Angermuller.

(Dorico) Butt ugly interface, and lousy authorization scheme.

It used to be a lot worse—I spare you the stories. Dorico does have telephone support, however. Only times I have ever used it was for installation/authorization. I have learned to run Steinberg Authorization Manager before launching any of their apps, then updating anything that has changed since the last time—this has saved me hours and I am not exaggerating. Heaven help you if you have a single corrupt font on your Mac. FontBook.app doesn't catch them all but Steinberg Authorization Manager freezes if you have any—I know that hell, too.

They should sell it but not to a small or individual developer. Hard enough to maintain PL I would think.

No, it should be open-source and freely available. It will still be buggy and have a lacking UX but at least it would run on new computers.

Talk about a royal PITA! I have Finale files since v. 1.0 (1991, I think), migrated forward over the upgrades. I wonder if all of that migrating to Dorico can be accomplished by 8/25!

@MichaelSirotta: no one has to migrate anything by August, 2025. It's only a matter of when you would need to install or migrate Finale to a new CPU that it will be an issue. 

MikeH

 I have learned to run Steinberg Authorization Manager before launching any of their apps, then updating anything that has changed since the last time ...

Does this also apply to Windows? You advise to always run the Steinberg Authorization Manager every time you open Dorico 5? I watched a couple of their tutorials it seems like it is doable but will take me sometime to unlearn Finale keystrokes. Does Dorico use NP4? Does Dorico use plugins?

Ernie, Dorico states that (I paraphrase) ”they don’t use plugins, most functions that required plugins in Finale are handled natively in Dorico.”

If you are a Mac user - get a copy of Parallels Desktop - and a used Intel or Apple silicon Mac mini or MBPro - install Parallels and then install a fairly new Mac OS into Parallels. Then install Finale on that OS. Get Finale authorized by 8/25 and you are good to go as long as you have a Mac that starts up.  This emulated version can be copied to a thumb drive for safe keeping, backed up, or transferred to another Mac. I do this for many 32 bit apps that were never updated, Adobe CS6, and now Finale.

The Parallels files are about 30gb each - easily moved from one Mac to another. Finale doesn't "Phone home" once it has been authorized, so you can use it forever. It just works. This would give most users plenty of time to decide on a replacement, convert files and move on. Or, for some, the ability to stay with Finale (unsupported as stated) until retirement.

@Biggs: yes it uses NP. It automatically found it on my system when I installed the free trial version of Dorico and used that for sounds. 

@Doug: interesting idea. But if Finale doesn't phone home once authorized, would migrating as I always do using Migration Assistant not accomplish the same? But if not, then your suggestion is brilliant. I was planning to either learn Dorico (which will be daunting as I have to unlearn how I do things with Finale, even if some things are similar or identical) next year or keep my recent MBA (M2) for many more years than normal if only to run Finale. I have not run into macOS issues with Finale for several years and yearly versions (even when running development seeds of macOS) so likely it will be ok from an OS perspective. Still the same current bugs (don't even get me started there) but I've managed to live with them for several years now. Thanks! Great suggestion!

You advise to always run the Steinberg Authorization Manager every time you open Dorico 5? 

Yes. This way I am notified of any updates and can run them first. If there are none, I just close it—takes a few seconds. Being notified of an update after Dorico is open, then updating from there is a time consuming, horrid experience.

Before downloading a new version of Dorico, one needs to let the Download Assistant update, but as far as running it each time before opening Dorico, I never have and have suffered no problems running the software. Running the SDA each time before opening Dorico is certainly not a company requirement or recommendation.

And as far as unlearning Finale keystrokes, Dorico is very flexible adding or changing shortcuts, although they recommend one keep the Dorico assignments and learn them, as they follow a logical pattern, and it makes adapting to new keystrokes for added features simpler in the long run. It doesn't take long to learn the Dorico shortcuts.

Running the SDA each time before opening Dorico is certainly not a company requirement or recommendation.

Nope, just a good idea, IMO. I have eleven current Steinberg apps and run the SDA in the morning if I plan to use any of them. Running it just now, I see that SpectraLayers 11.0.20 is out. Dorico is not my only Steinberg app.

Are the installation/licensing issues as bad as when I took the crossgrade to Dorico 2 in 2018? No but it's still pretty bad. At least, the SDA now works for me. It never did until I got my current Mac a year ago.

How many support and screen sharing calls were made over the years while the latest issues were worked out and workarounds found till I was able to get (fill in the blank) installed or updated? I lost count. I even  bought the dongle that was supposed to make it easier—it didn't and it's no longer necessary, thank goodness. If Steinberg finally makes good on their promise to replace their current licensing/installation/update scheme—now pushed back to 2025—I will change my recommendation. Till then, I'm fine with my advice on running the SDA.

David  - using migration assistant will move all of the relevant files, however I believe the authorization algorithm in Finale (and almost all other software) uses the serial number of the main CPU within its authorization code file. So... when you migrate, open Finale, and Finale checks the authorization code against the new CPU, the serial number doesn't match, and Finale goes into demo mode.

When you use Parallels Desktop, I believe a virtual CPU is created with a virtual serial number that doesn't change. So when you move the virtual Mac OS package to a new Mac and re-open it with Parallels Desktop, open Finale, and Finale checks the authorization code against the virtual CPU, it matches... and Finale continues in full user mode.  The same thing works for Adobe CS6, and others. I use these virtual Mac OS operating systems with 27" monitors and in full screen mode, you can't tell the difference. 

The only limitation at this point is an Intel Mac must install Intel based OS versions into its new virtual machine, and Apple Silicon virtual machines can only install silicone (ARM) Mac OS versions - which I think starts with Monterey. So as an example, if you had a M-series Mac (1,2, or 3), running Sonoma, you could install Sonoma into the virtual machine, add Finale, authorize it, then turn off internet access to just the virtual machine. You are going to go pretty far down the road with trouble free access to Finale 27.4.1 with that setup, and can still upgrade your machine's OS if you want - even upgrade the computer. Just copy the Finale virtual machine to your new Mac and start working again.

If you go this route, consider getting the 1-time purchase (standard) version of PD, current version is 19, and will last a number of years - especially if you don't update past Sonoma. The "Pro" version of PD is $100 a year (subscription), which allows for more virtual cores and more RAM usage - none of which are needed to run Finale. You need to click around a bit on the PD web site to get the 1-time purchase offer, but it is there. There is also a 14 day trial version of PD. Downloading the Mac OS image is actually done within the PD app, so that's easy too - no hunting for the correct files. You could get the trial and set up an entire system and test it out in short order before spending any $$.

Finally, the PD website has a page of "known limitations of MacOS ARM virtual machines", so your mileage may vary. Click Here. In time, PD will work some/most of these out - so I'm making an ARM VM now while I can still authorize Finale with the thought that I can retire the Intel machine when necessary and continue with a modern Apple Silicone Mac down the road. This is in addition to the Intel VM version that I've been using/testing for quite a while. So far, I've not lost any work and it appears quite solid.

@Doug: thank you! This is extremely useful information and I will proceed with that. The more I'm playing with Dorico the more I'm driving myself nuts to conform to its way of doing things. I was just working in Finale, and for all its many faults, does what I need it to do, even if not foolproof.

I have an M2 mac, running Sonoma and I will definitely try this out. Thanks very much!

I was confused as hell with all the downloading and installing of the whole Stein thingy and dorico. it just is too big. I already asked for a refund. even at the "sale" price its at, it is not worth it. I will look to other simpler software like finale for writing music or I will try and look for workarounds to no longer being able to register the product.

Does Dorico handle syllable by syllable lyric note assignments when migrating vocal music files from Finale to Dorico using XML?

I think the charge for the Dorico crossgrade could be looked at as the next feature upgrade for Finale, since the $149 price tag is close to what MakeMusic has charged for feature upgrades in the past.

But what they do owe their customer base, I feel, is to hire some temporary extra staff to set up a help line dedicated to the migration process to Dorico, or even Sibelius, with robust help for the usage of these other apps. Perhaps get Steinberg or Avid to collaborate in a migration help program. There are a lot of Finale users out there who will need to find a new home. I'm particularly concerned about how Dorico (or Sibelius) will handle the import of music with lyrics. I have a plethora of scores with vocals, both solos and choral.

The Dorico user forum is very active and helpful. Members of the Development Team are contributing constantly to help users and address problems. While current users of Finale could questions which program is better for their purposes, there is no question that the Dorico User Forum provides the best support anywhere.

Michael S: Dorico XML imports lyrics along with the rest of the music. As far as adding lyrics to existing notes, one can copy a line (pre-divided into syllables) and paste them in more or less like click assignment. While in some ways Finale's lyric assignment has advantages, copy/pasting lyrics into Dorico has never seemed an undue burden.