Flat vs Harmony Assistant

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.

Harmony Assistant is desktop software for computer-assisted music composition and editing. It supports MusicXML, MIDI, parts extraction, and tablature, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Users can enter scores with a mouse, computer keyboard, or external MIDI keyboard, then work in full-page editing or engraver mode for score layout. Its embedded SoftSynth contains hundreds of instruments and can play through basic sound cards without external MIDI hardware. The program loads and saves MIDI, WAV, AIFF, MP3, OGG, TAB, ABC, and XML files. The embedded MyrScript language lets users add features. Documents can be password-protected and allowed to play without modification. Virtual Singer is an additional module for singing lyrics in multiple languages and voices. The trial has no time limit, but saving is disabled and printing is limited to one page while unregistered. A registration code is a lifetime license for one platform and includes future versions.