At the same time, though, Steinberg’s more established rivals are not standing still. Sibelius itself has reached v8.5, PreSonus’s is becoming an ever more attractive option at the mid-priced level, and Finale too continues to evolve. So, what does the latest version of Finale have to offer to existing and new users?
Are there enough new features and refinements to keep the loyalty of the current user base, and does the latest release offer that something extra that might encourage new adoptees? Given that SOS has reviewed all the major updates to Finale over recent years (the Finale 2012 review from is a good place to start), and that the core functionality of the software remains very much intact, I’ll focus here on the new features introduced in the latest release.
The first (administrative) thing to note is the obvious change in numbering. Gone is the year-based naming scheme and, instead, we now have a more conventional version-based approach. That this release is called Finale 25 simply confirms the longevity of the Finale brand! While there are some workflow refinements to be found throughout the new version, Finale 25 is going to feel like a familiar world to existing users. That might be seen as either a good or bad thing depending upon your perspective: those who know and love recent versions of Finale will feel right at home, but anyone hoping for a major overhaul will be disappointed.