Denemo vs Flat

Denemo is a free desktop music-notation program for composing, transcribing, arranging, and listening to music. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with MusicXML, MIDI, parts extraction, and tablature support. Music can be entered through a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone. Denemo opens its own files and imports MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML. LilyPond typesets notation in the background while you work, and the program supports figured bass, historical noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature. It can create exercise sheets, aural-training materials, note-reading exercises, and playing exercises. Scores may be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files. MIDI or audio can be routed to other applications such as JACK, and LilyPond text and commands can be included in a score. Denemo is free to use, share, and change under the GPL; the listed plan costs nothing. Version 2.6 is listed as the current stable release, dated March 11, 2022. Some download links still point to version 2.2.

Flat is music-notation software for writing, editing, playing back, and collaborating on scores. It runs on the web, iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, and supports MusicXML and MIDI import and export. Users can compose, edit, and play scores offline; cloud sync requires Flat Power. Multiple users can write, edit, and comment on the same score from different devices in real time. The free plan includes essential notation tools, playback, and collaboration, but is limited to 15 scores. Flat Basic lists 30 instruments; Power includes more than 180, including HQ studio instruments, alongside unlimited scores and advanced playback. Flat Power costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year. The desktop app is free to download and use, with a 15-score cap on its free plan. PDF import requires Flat Power or paid credits, while desktop exports include PDF, MP3, and WAV. Flat for Education integrates with Google for Education, Microsoft Office 365, and Canvas and has a free one-month trial. Personal accounts have a minimum age of 13 in most countries.