{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "flat",
            "name": "Flat",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://flat.io/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/flat",
            "tagline": "Browser-based music notation with desktop and mobile apps",
            "summary": "Flat is music notation software for web, Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, with real-time sharing and collaboration on scores. The desktop app is free to download, and the service offers a free start with subscriptions for more features.",
            "platforms": [
                "macos",
                "windows",
                "web",
                "ios",
                "android"
            ],
            "pricing": "freemium",
            "price_note": "Free to start and free desktop download; subscriptions add features",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Free to start and free desktop app",
                "Real-time sharing and collaboration"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Advanced features need a subscription",
                "Fewer engraving controls than Sibelius"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Flat lets people compose, share, play and print sheet music from a browser or from native apps. The site describes collaborating with other users on the same score. Its desktop app for Mac and Windows is offered as a free download, and the web and mobile apps cover the same scores.\n\nThe core product is free to start, and subscriptions unlock more features, according to the pricing page. Flat is a good option for people who want to share scores online. Professional engravers may need finer layout control than Flat offers, where Sibelius covers more ground."
        },
        {
            "slug": "sibelius",
            "name": "Sibelius",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.avid.com/sibelius",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/sibelius",
            "tagline": "Notation software for composers, arrangers and engravers",
            "summary": "Sibelius is professional music notation software from Avid for composing, arranging and engraving scores. It runs on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook and is sold as yearly subscriptions in Artist and Ultimate tiers, or as a perpetual bundle.",
            "developer": "Avid",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "ipados",
                "ios",
                "chromeos"
            ],
            "pricing": "subscription",
            "price_note": "Artist $99 a year; Ultimate $199 a year; Ultimate perpetual bundle $899",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Strong score layout and part generation",
                "Runs on Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Yearly subscription for most tiers",
                "Artist tier limits staves and cloud scores"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Sibelius focuses on score layout and part generation, which Avid says automates complex layout and dynamic part extraction. The Ultimate tier adds unlimited staves, unlimited cloud sharing, complete engraving features and video sync with timecode. The Artist tier limits scores to 24 staves and includes cloud sharing for 20 scores.\n\nAvid sells Sibelius by yearly subscription, and a perpetual Ultimate bundle is available for buyers who prefer a single payment. The product is offered across Mac, Windows, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook. Sibelius suits professional engraving and publishing more directly than free tools such as MuseScore."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Flat runs on Android.",
        "Only Flat runs on Web.",
        "Flat has a free plan or free version; Sibelius does not.",
        "Flat: free plan, paid upgrades. Sibelius: subscription."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "music-notation-software",
            "name": "Music notation software",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/music-notation-software",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "flat",
                    "rank": 4,
                    "score": 85.5,
                    "verdict": "Browser-based notation with real-time sharing, a free desktop app for Mac and Windows, and web and mobile apps. Advanced features sit behind a subscription, and its engraving controls are lighter than Sibelius's.",
                    "best_for": "Shared scores in the browser",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Free to start; subscription"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "sibelius",
                    "rank": 1,
                    "score": 92,
                    "verdict": "Professional notation with complete engraving, automatic part generation and video sync on its Ultimate tier. It is paid by yearly subscription or a perpetual bundle, and the Artist tier limits staves.",
                    "best_for": "Professional engraving and part extraction",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Subscription from $99 a year"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "sibelius",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/flat-vs-sibelius",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/flat-vs-sibelius.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}