About Flat
Flat is a cloud-based music notation editor for writing, editing, and sharing sheet music and guitar tabs in the browser, on desktop (Mac and Windows), and on iOS and Android. Scores sync across devices and several people can edit the same score in real time. A separate Flat for Education product adds classes, assignments, worksheets, and LMS integrations for music teachers and schools.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Runs in any browser with a free desktop app and mobile apps, so scores follow you across devices
- Real-time multi-user editing on the same score, which most notation editors lack
- Usable free plan with MIDI input, MusicXML/MIDI import, and offline composing
- Flat Power is inexpensive compared with desktop engraving suites, with a lifetime option
- Flat for Education ties notation into Google Classroom, Teams, and Canvas assignments
Cons
- Free plan caps you at 15 scores and adds the Flat logo to exports
- Engraving and layout control is less granular than Dorico, Sibelius, or MuseScore for publication-grade work
- Cloud sync and many customization options sit behind the paid Power plan
- Large orchestral scores can feel slower in the browser than in a native engraver
Key Features
Browser-based notation editor
Write standard notation and guitar tabs in a web editor with note input, intelligent spacing, and engraving tools, with no install required.
Real-time collaboration
Invite collaborators to edit the same score simultaneously across devices, with comments and sharing links.
Cross-device sync
Scores stay in sync across web, the free Mac and Windows desktop app, iOS, and Android.
MIDI input and transcription
Enter notes from a connected MIDI keyboard or device to transcribe music faster.
Import and export
Import MusicXML and MIDI files, export MusicXML, MIDI, PDF, and audio; PDF import converts printed scores to editable notation.
HQ instrument playback
Play back scores with 180+ instruments on Flat Power, including 90+ high-quality studio-sampled instruments, with per-part volume and reverb.
Score history
Browse the full revision history of a score and restore earlier versions.
Offline composing
Keep writing without a connection; changes sync when you're back online.
Community and score library
Browse 100K+ user-published scores, follow other musicians, and join monthly composition challenges.
Flat for Education
Classes, assignments, music theory worksheets, a sight-reading generator, and performance assessments, integrated with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Canvas.
Pricing
- Up to 15 scores
- 30 instruments
- Real-time sharing and collaboration
- MIDI transcription
- Compose offline
- Import MusicXML / MIDI
- Export and print with Flat logo
- Unlimited scores
- 180+ instruments including HQ studio instruments
- Import & export MusicXML / MIDI
- Print and export without Flat logo
- Custom instruments, layouts, styles, and templates
- Score history
- Advanced playback
- YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, and MP3 audio uploads
- Priority support
- Everything in Flat Power monthly
- Billed annually
- Everything in Flat Power
- One-time purchase
- Starting price for 1 teacher (max 2 teacher seats)
- Per-student add-on licenses
- Unlimited cloud score storage
- Music Snippet included
- 350 PDF pages/year
- Theory worksheets, sight-reading generator, performance assessments
- 30-day free trial
- Unlimited teacher seats
- Shared assignment library
- Customer Success Manager
- Up to 6 hours of virtual training
- Volume and multi-year discounts
- Optional Flat Embed access
Best For
Collaborative composing and arranging
Bands, ensembles, and co-writers edit the same score in real time instead of emailing files back and forth.
Music classroom assignments
Teachers create composition, theory, and sight-reading assignments that students complete and submit inside Flat for Education.
Quick transcription on any device
Musicians jot down or transcribe parts from a laptop, tablet, or phone, using a MIDI keyboard for faster input.
Guitar tabs and lead sheets
Guitarists and songwriters write tablature alongside standard notation and share playable scores online.
Publishing and embedding scores
Share scores publicly in the Flat community or embed interactive, playable sheet music on websites.
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