Dorico vs Flat

Dorico9.3Visit Flat8.8Visit

Higher score Dorico #1 in Music Notation Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 60-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dorico

vs

Flat #5 in Music Notation Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Flat

• Dorico fits best

  Professional composers and engravers

• Flat fits best

  Teams composing collaboratively in the browser

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Side by side

Feature	Dorico 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Flat 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Music Notation Software	#5 in Music Notation Software
Best for	Professional composers and engravers	Teams composing collaboratively in the browser
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Integrations	3 integrations	7 integrations
Features Dorico 4/5 · Flat 5/5
MusicXML support	✓	✓
MIDI support	✓	✓
Parts extraction	✓	✓
Tablature support	✓	✓
Collaboration features	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Both
Our review
Pros	Combines score creation, engraving, page layout, and instrumental parts Supports MusicXML, MIDI, tablature, playback, and audio export Offers a 60-day trial plus free macOS, Windows, and iPad editions	Collaborators can edit scores in real time. Standard notation and tablature stay synchronized. MusicXML and MIDI import/export support score exchange.
Cons	Advanced engraving and layout capabilities are reserved for Pro The iPad edition has optional paid functionality Desktop editions are limited to macOS and Windows	Flat Basic limits users to 15 scores and 30 instruments. Flat Basic exports and prints with Flat branding. Advanced layouts, playback, and instruments require Flat Power.
Our verdict	Dorico is Steinberg’s music notation and composition software for composers, arrangers, educators, publishers, and performers who need to create scores and performance materials. Its shared project structure brings players, flows, layouts,… Read the review →	Flat brings music notation, score playback, and tablature into a product for composers, arrangers, educators, and musicians. Scores can be created, edited, shared, and printed in a browser, with desktop and mobile apps also available. Its… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Dorico — where it wins

  • Combines score creation, engraving, page layout, and instrumental parts
  • Supports MusicXML, MIDI, tablature, playback, and audio export
  • Offers a 60-day trial plus free macOS, Windows, and iPad editions

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced engraving and layout capabilities are reserved for Pro
  • The iPad edition has optional paid functionality
  • Desktop editions are limited to macOS and Windows

• Flat — where it wins

  • Collaborators can edit scores in real time.
  • Standard notation and tablature stay synchronized.
  • MusicXML and MIDI import/export support score exchange.

  Where it doesn't

  • Flat Basic limits users to 15 scores and 30 instruments.
  • Flat Basic exports and prints with Flat branding.
  • Advanced layouts, playback, and instruments require Flat Power.

• Dorico9.3/10 · Free plan · 60-day trial

  A full notation and engraving workflow, with free editions and a 60-day trial.

  Visit DoricoFull verdict →
• Flat8.8/10 · Free plan

  Browser-based notation with synchronized tablature and collaborative editing.

  Visit FlatFull verdict →