Below is a chart comparing MuseScore and Finale NotePad. I initially I made the comparison between these products because they were both free. Since MakeMusic announced that they will start charging for NotePad 2009, MuseScore looks even more compelling.

The nature of the two score writers is quite different. NotePad is purposefully limited and designed to encourage customers to buy more complete versions of Finale as their needs increase. On the other hand MuseScore is developed as a free and open source software project where anyone with the skills and desire can help improve the product. As a result MuseScore fairs much better when working with large numbers of instruments or any notation beyond the very basic.