Flat
Flat is a collaborative music notation software that allows you to create, edit, and share musical scores online using any web browser or mobile device with real-time synchronization.
MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale is a professional music notation software that allows composers, arrangers, and educators to create, edit, and print high-quality musical scores with complete control over every page element.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Flat | MakeMusic Finale |
|---|---|---|
| Website | flat.io | makemusic.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | One_time |
| Starting Price | Free | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2015 | 1990 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Boulder, USA |
Overview
Flat
Flat is a web-based music notation platform designed to make composing music as simple as writing a document. You can create your own musical scores directly in your browser without installing any software, and every change you make is saved automatically. It works across all your devices, allowing you to start a composition on your desktop and finish it on your tablet or smartphone while on the go.
The platform is built for collaboration, letting you invite friends or colleagues to view and edit your scores in real-time. You can also use the dedicated education version to manage music classes, assign exercises, and provide direct feedback to students. Whether you are a hobbyist songwriter or a professional music teacher, you get a clean interface that removes the technical hurdles of traditional notation software.
MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale gives you the ultimate power to create any musical score you can imagine. Whether you are composing a simple lead sheet or a complex orchestral work, you can customize every aspect of your notation with surgical precision. The software adapts to your creative process, allowing you to enter notes via MIDI keyboards, computer mice, or even scanning existing sheet music.
You can produce publisher-quality scores that meet the highest professional standards. It solves the problem of rigid formatting by giving you total manual control over staff spacing, measure widths, and font styles. It is the industry standard for professional engravers, film composers, and music educators who need a tool that never says 'no' to a specific notation requirement.
Overview
Flat Features
- Real-time Collaboration Invite others to your score and watch their edits happen live, just like working together in a shared document.
- Offline Mode Continue writing your music even without an internet connection, and your changes will sync once you are back online.
- MIDI Input Support Plug in your MIDI keyboard to enter notes directly into the software for a faster and more natural composing experience.
- High-Quality Instruments Listen to your compositions using realistic sampled instruments that give you a clear idea of how your music sounds.
- History & Versions Browse through previous versions of your score and restore any earlier draft if you decide to change direction.
- MusicXML Export Export your work to PDF, MIDI, or MusicXML formats to ensure compatibility with other professional music software.
MakeMusic Finale Features
- Flexible Note Entry. Enter your music your way by playing a MIDI keyboard, using your mouse, or typing on your computer keyboard.
- Garritan Sound Library. Hear your compositions performed with stunning realism using a vast library of world-class sampled instrument sounds.
- MusicXML Support. Collaborate with others easily by importing and exporting files between different notation programs without losing your formatting.
- SmartMusic Integration. Share your music directly with students or performers through interactive practice tools to streamline the rehearsal process.
- Linked Parts. Edit your score and watch as your individual instrument parts update automatically, saving you hours of manual correction.
- Professional Engraving. Adjust every detail of your page layout, from hairpins and slurs to precise measure spacing and custom fonts.
Pricing Comparison
Flat Pricing
- Up to 15 scores
- Unlimited instruments
- Core notation features
- Real-time collaboration
- Community support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited scores
- Offline mode
- Advanced layout settings
- Premium instrument sounds
- Priority customer support
MakeMusic Finale Pricing
- Full professional feature set
- Complete Garritan sound library
- Unlimited staves and measures
- Standard technical support
- Two installations per user
- Everything in Full Version, plus:
- Discounted pricing for students
- Discounted pricing for educators
- Verification of status required
- Full professional functionality
Pros & Cons
Flat
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for beginners
- Seamless real-time collaboration with other users
- Works perfectly across different operating systems
- Generous free tier for casual hobbyists
Cons
- Limited advanced engraving options for professionals
- Requires stable internet for most features
- Mobile app interface can feel cramped
MakeMusic Finale
Pros
- Unmatched level of control over score aesthetics
- Industry standard for professional publishing and engraving
- Extensive library of high-quality playback sounds
- Powerful automation for managing linked instrumental parts
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Interface can feel dated compared to competitors
- Requires significant time to master advanced features