What Flat for Education does
Flat for Education is a music notation platform built specifically for classrooms. Students write scores, complete music theory assignments, and submit work for feedback and grading, all inside the same platform. Teachers distribute assignments, leave timestamped in-score feedback, and auto-grade theory exercises.
Key classroom management features:
- Native integration with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and MusicFirst for roster sync, assignment distribution, and grade return
- Auto-grading for theory worksheets: voice leading, chord identification, interval labeling
- Performance assessment: students record their scores and submit them (audio, video or both)
- Assignment Library with NAfME-aligned and TEKS-aligned units ready to assign
- COPPA and FERPA compliant, browser-based, works on Chromebooks
What Flat for Education does not do: it is not a DAW. Students cannot record vocals, layer loops, apply audio effects, or produce a finished audio track inside it.
What Soundtrap for Education does
Soundtrap for Education is a walled, invite-only environment where teachers create groups, assign projects, and monitor student progress. It is COPPA, GDPR, and FERPA compliant. Students record vocals and live instruments, build beats, layer loops, apply audio effects, and produce finished audio files, all in the browser.
Key classroom features:
- Real-time collaboration on audio projects
- Beat sequencer and pattern maker for music production
- Podcast creation with interactive transcription
- Integration with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and MusicFirst
- Works on Chromebooks and any browser-connected device
What Soundtrap does not do: it is not a notation platform. Students cannot write traditional sheet music, complete auto-graded theory assignments, or submit notation-based work.
Where they overlap
Both tools are browser-based, work on Chromebooks, and have Google Classroom integration. Both are COPPA and FERPA compliant. Both can be used for creative music projects.
The overlap is largest for open-ended music creation projects where the output could be a score, an audio file, or both. For structured theory work, performance assessment, or notation-based curriculum, the overlap disappears entirely.
They are designed to work together
Soundtrap for Education explicitly describes app-smashing with Flat for Education as a recommended workflow, and the integration goes in both directions. Students write a score in Flat for Education, export it to Soundtrap as MIDI tracks with one click, and develop it into a full audio production. Or they build something in Soundtrap and export the MIDI back to Flat for Education to generate sheet music automatically.
Export compositions created on Flat for Education directly to Soundtrap to create custom assessment exercises, backing tracks, or combine compositions with recorded audio.
How to decide what your classroom needs
Use Flat for Education if your curriculum is primarily built around:
- Music notation and composition assignments
- Music theory (harmony, voice leading, intervals, rhythm)
- Performance assessment with recorded submissions
- Standards-aligned units (NAfME, TEKS, or state equivalents)
Use Soundtrap for Education if your curriculum is primarily built around:
- Audio production and DAW skills
- Beat making, loop composition, sampling
- Podcasting and audio storytelling
- Recording vocals or live instruments
- Music technology as a subject rather than traditional theory
Use both if:
- You teach music technology alongside traditional notation and theory
- You want students to develop a score in Flat for Education and produce it in Soundtrap as a capstone project
Pricing comparison
Flat for Education: $99 per teacher per year, plus $6 per student per year. 30-day free trial, no credit card required. School plans are available on request, offering a volume discount for both students and teachers.
Soundtrap for Education: Tiered plans at the classroom, School, and District level. Minimum 50 seats. 30-day free trial available. Pricing is per seat per year.
Not on Flat for Education yet? Sign up for your 30-day free trial!
Frequently asked questions
Can Flat for Education replace Soundtrap?
No. Flat for Education is a notation platform. It does not have DAW functionality, audio recording, beat sequencing, or podcast tools.
Can Soundtrap replace Flat for Education?
No. Soundtrap does not have music notation, auto-graded theory assignments, or score-based performance assessment.
Do Flat for Education and Soundtrap integrate?
Yes. Students export a score from Flat for Education to Soundtrap as MIDI tracks in one click. They can also export a Soundtrap MIDI file back into Flat for Education to generate sheet music automatically.
Which is better for Chromebook classrooms?
Both work on Chromebooks without installation. Flat for Education has specifically optimized for Chromebook performance.
Which has better Google Classroom integration?
Flat for Education's integration covers the full workflow: roster sync, assignment distribution, submission collection, in-score feedback, and automatic grade return. Soundtrap also integrates with Google Classroom for assignment sharing.