Flat vs Noteflight

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.

Noteflight is a web-based music notation service for writing, playing back, and sharing scores. It supports MusicXML, MIDI, tablature, and parts extraction, and scores can be shared publicly or privately with viewing, commenting, or editing access. Its catalog includes more than 80,000 digital sheet music titles from Hal Leonard, ArrangeMe, and its community. Premium adds unlimited scores, notation and formatting features, 85 playback instruments, MIDI transcription, and controls for audio levels and reverb. Premium is listed at $7.95 a month or $49 a year. Noteflight Learn is an education plan priced at $69 a year with a 10-user minimum; it includes assignments, class organization, performance assessment, and synchronization with learning platforms including Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, PowerSchool, MusicFirst, Moodle, and Blackboard. Learn is COPPA-compliant and says it collects no personal information. Its library scores can be used on desktop and mobile devices. The service is operated by Noteflight LLC, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.