Flat (Flat.io)

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

[Flat] provides real-time collaborative online music notation software that enables users to compose, edit, collaborate, and publish sheet music with high-quality instrument playback across web and mobile platforms.

Target Customer

Musicians, composers, educators and students; schools and districts (education users); individual creators and collaborators; educational institutions and music programs; developers needing embedding/API capabilities.

Key Differentiator

Real-time collaboration across devices with instant sync, a large library of HQ instruments (180+ with many HQ presets), and offline editing support, all within a web-based platform that requires no plugin installation and supports embedding, music snippets, and multiple export/playback options.

Implementation Timeline

Value can be realized quickly after sign-up (immediate access to collaboration and editing; onboarding via tutorials); education deployments can be activated with onboarding and school integrations; ongoing value as users create and publish scores and leverage community features.

Pain Points

1Difficulty collaborating in real time on single scores across multiple devices
2Finding high-quality instrument sounds and a complete notation toolset in a single online platform
3Need to work offline and still sync changes when back online

Key Features

1Real-time collaboration for multi-user score editing
2High-quality instrument library (180+ instruments, HQ presets)
3Offline mode with synchronization when back online
4Complete history/versioning of edits
5Guitar tabs editor and embeddable interactive sheet music
6Music notation editor with customizable layouts, templates, and notations
7Audio/video/MP3 uploads (YouTube, SoundCloud, MP3) for playback integration
8Education edition with classes/assignments and integrations (Google for Education, Microsoft Office 365, Canvas)
9Music Snippet for Google & Microsoft tools; embed capability

Target Customer Industries

Decision Makers

1CTO
2Director of Education
3Music Director
4IT Director
5Teacher
6School Administrator

Client Results

1Improved collaboration efficiency and workflow for music creation and editing
2Ability to produce professional-looking scores and publish/share them widely
3Users report growth in skills and in applying Flat to professional workflows
4Educational deployments enable classroom activities and assignments at scale

Competitive Advantages

1Real-time, cross-device collaboration without file syncing or emailing
2Extensive HQ instrument library and ability to customize instruments
3Offline mode with seamless re-synchronization
4No required software installation; web-first with native iOS/Android apps
5Strong educational angle with Flat for Education and classroom integrations

Key Benefits

1Real-time collaboration across devices

2High-quality instrument sounds and customizable templates

3Offline work with later synchronization

4Web-based, no-plugin requirement with iOS/Android apps

5Education-focused features and integrations

Case Studies & Success Stories

Professional growth and commissions through Flat

Case #1

A music composer reported that Flat helped move music from hobby to earning commissions and writing for professional ensembles and recordings.

Appreciation for features and professional output

Case #2

A user highlighted the large number of features and the professional look of the final music products produced with Flat.

Education journey and community support

Case #3

A SCAD student credited Flat with supporting a journey of learning, community engagement, and ongoing practice through challenges and content.

Intuitive transcription experience, free access

Case #4

A user noted the intuitiveness of the platform and that it was available for free, enabling quick transcriptions.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

Online collaborative music notation software that allows users to write, edit, and publish sheet music online with real-time collaboration, an extensive instrument library, offline mode, and multi-format sharing/embedding capabilities.

Target Market

Individual musicians, composers, educators, students; educational institutions; music programs; developers seeking embedding/API capabilities.

Unique Value Proposition

Flat delivers real-time collaborative notation with a large HQ instrument library, offline capabilities, and easy cross-device syncing, all accessible via web and mobile without plugins, plus education-specific features and embedding options.

Technical Requirements

Requires a modern web browser with internet connection for use; HTML5-based; no browser plugins required; native iOS and Android apps available; supports offline editing with synchronization when online.

Pricing Model

Free version with a limit of 15 scores; premium features available under Flat Power (unlimited scores and advanced features); education offers include a free 1-month trial for Flat for Education; pricing and plan details are available on the site.

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