Flat vs Highnote

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.

Highnote provides private spaces where artists and communities upload, share, discuss, and react to music. Its audience includes artists, engineers, labels, producers, and songwriters. Tracks can receive timestamped comments, voice comments, replies, and audio polls. Highnote supports MP3, WAV, AIF, and MP4 files, with folders and nested versions for comparison. Collaborators and share links can have downloads, uploads, and timestamped comments enabled or disabled, and links can be password protected. Dropbox integration is available, and projects can link Google Docs, reference playlists, and other external content. Highnote says music remains private unless shared. Browser playback is lossless and gapless on all plans. Web, Android, and iOS are listed platforms, with mobile apps available. Starter costs nothing and includes 15 total tracks, 50GB cloud storage, and unlimited shared spaces. Indie costs $4.99 a month for 500 tracks and 1TB storage. Studio costs $19.99 a month for unlimited tracks and 5TB storage. Highnote was founded in 2020.