Flat vs MuseScore Studio

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.

MuseScore Studio is free, open-source desktop software for composing, playing back, and printing sheet music. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with a free download that requires no account or subscription. Scores can have unlimited length and unlimited staves per system, with up to four independent voices per staff. The software imports and exports MIDI and MusicXML, imports Capella and other formats, and exports scores as PDF, PNG and other graphics formats, WAV and other audio formats, and LilyPond. Playback tools include a mixer, SoundFonts, MuseSounds, swing playback, and VST/VSTi support. MuseSounds are installed through Muse Hub on Windows and macOS, then assigned to instruments through playback profiles or the mixer. Users can publish scores to MuseScore.com and share playback audio through Audio.com. MuseScore Studio includes a Braille keyboard. Its audience includes schools, conservatories, choirs, and orchestras; desktop support is provided on MuseScore.org by an open-source project supported by volunteers and Muse Group employees.