# BandHelper — Organizational suite for bands

> Organizational and performance suite for musical bands. (iPhone/iPad app by Arlo Leach.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bandhelper/id552012927 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Arlo Leach](https://appshunter.io/developer/353281976)
- Category: Music, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 113 App Store ratings · 152 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 67 MB
- Languages: American English, Dutch, Danish, European Spanish, Italian, German (Germany), Norwegian Bokmål, European Portuguese, Finnish, French (France) and 2 more
- Released: 2013-09-11
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bandhelper/id552012927/reviews.md

## What is BandHelper?

Much more than a "songbook" app, BandHelper can organize your band and power your live show.

COMMUNICATE EFFORTLESSLY
• Distribute songs and set lists automatically to your bandmates
• Send standardized gig invitations and confirmations
• Maintain one organized source for gig details
• Give sub players all the charts and recordings they need for a gig

REHEARSE EFFICIENTLY
• Sync set list, lyric and chord updates as you work
• Play reference recordings instantly, with speed and loop controls
• Transpose chords for different singers, capo positions or horn keys
• Review notes and voice memos from previous rehearsals

PERFORM SEAMLESSLY
• Configure keyboards, effects and lighting as you change songs
• Play backing tracks, click tracks and video presentations
• Customize the interface or use foot switches for hands-free control
• Add custom fields for personal notes and reminders

MANAGE YOUR BAND PROFESSIONALLY
• Track income/expenses and let band members view their earnings
• Organize your booking and industry contacts
• Build stage plots to send to venues
• Generate invoices to send to clients

*** If you have a problem or a suggestion, please contact me before writing a review. I can't troubleshoot problems through the review system, but I respond promptly to all help tickets and posts in my support forum. ***

## Key features

- Automatic song and setlist distribution
- Gig invitations and confirmations
- Reference recording playback with speed/loop
- Chord transposition
- Customizable performance settings
- Backing track and video playback
- Income/expense tracking

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro - Solo Artist (year) | $38.00 | one-time |
| Pro - 6-20 Users (year) | $139.99 | one-time |
| Basic - 2-5 Users (year) | $46.00 | one-time |
| Plus - 6-20 Users (year) | $104.99 | one-time |
| Pro - 2-5 Users (year) | $94.00 | one-time |
| Basic - Solo Artist (year) | $18.00 | one-time |
| Pro - 2-5 Users (month) | $9.00 | one-time |
| Basic - 6-20 Users (month) | $7.00 | one-time |
| Basic - 2-5 Users (month) | $5.00 | one-time |
| Basic - Solo Artist (month) | $3.00 | one-time |
| Pro - 6-20 Users (month) | $14.00 | one-time |
| Plus - Solo Artist (year) | $28.00 | one-time |
| Plus - Solo Artist (month) | $3.49 | one-time |
| Plus - 2-5 Users (month) | $7.00 | one-time |
| Pro - Solo Artist (month) | $4.00 | one-time |
| Plus - 6-20 Users (month) | $10.49 | one-time |
| Plus - 2-5 Users (year) | $70.00 | one-time |
| Basic - 6-20 Users (year) | $70.00 | one-time |


## What do users think of BandHelper?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Powerful features
- 👍 Customizable and flexible
- 🤖 Seamless MIDI integration
- 💻 Convenient web interface
- 🔄 Effective sync across devices
- 🤝 Great for band collaboration
- 💰 Good value for money
- 🙌 Excellent customer support

**Cons**

- 🤯 Steep learning curve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate at times
- 💲 Subscription model may be a turnoff
- 🙅‍♀️ Not very intuitive for beginners

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Sync issues between devices
- Compatibility problems with older hardware
- Crashes when switching between documents

**Most requested features**

- Ability to add handwritten notes
- Improved scrolling and page turning
- More customization options for layouts
- Integrated metronome with visual cues

## Recent user reviews (10 of 152)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bandhelper/id552012927/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Sind User der ersten Stunde - und wir bleiben dabei!

*2026-08-23*

Die App Bandhelper - oder wie sie am ganz am Anfang hieß: Setlist Maker - ist aus unserem Bandalltag nicht mehr wegzudenken. 

Vor allem die Möglichkeit, iPads auf der Bühne zu synchronisieren , ist ein echter Killer. Dabei bekommt jeder Beteiligte das zu sehen, was er / sie braucht: Den Songtext oder das Leadsheet. Oder das Leadsheet in Bb für den Trompeter. 

Die Automatische Umschaltung der Midi-Presets am Keyboard ist nur eine von unfassbar vielen Möglichkeiten, die diese App bietet.

Sehr viele von unseren Wünschen sind bereits in die App eingeflossen. Das Team um Mastermind Arlo Leach leistet dabei seit vielen Jahren hervorragende Arbeit.

Wir bleiben definitiv dabei.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2026-05-16, version 2026-04-24*

Used it for years. Unbelievable functionality on gigs and at home.

### 5/5 — A truly committed developer

*2026-04-07*

At last! A well written app from someone who is obviously committed to providing a great experience to his users.  I cannot recommend this highly enough.  So many features, all well executed.  Thank you!

### 5/5 — On a different level!

*2026-03-10*

Absolutely great app. All the features, central control with local device caching for rock solid reliability on stage, you can make it work around your workflows, reusable set lists, music, notation, midi files, gig booming, calendar, info sharing, different views and music per person. It’s the ultimate band app, much more than just set lists. It runs our bands world and has taken a massive load of me with organisation. You’ve tried the rest, try the best. Love it!

### 5/5 — The BEST app for Working musicians – solo, duo, full bands

*2026-02-21*

This app is brilliantly written, super flexible, feature packed whether you're just looking for a lyrics &chords app,Running tracks, sending midi messages to gear,Coordinating across bandmates, this app does it all.The service and support are absolutely stellar, nobody can touch them, Arlo and his team are dedicated and super responsive.I've tried almost all the other apps out there, and this one surpasses them all.

### 5/5 — Amazing app

*2026-02-12*

This is an amazingly consistent, maintained, reliable and feature packed app for performing musicians. It covers every area needed from song details, lyrics, set lists, midi, rehearsals, recordings, sharing to finance and calendar management. I highly recommend it for any musician who wants control of their music

### 5/5 — First timer

*2026-01-31, version 2026-01-22*

My friend turned me onto this app and I love it! I never used anything like this and it helped me sO much in the short time that I have it! Easy to use and easy to personalize! Can’t wait to dive in deeper! Thank YOU!

### 5/5 — Longtime user

*2026-01-20*

I started out using setlist maker to make band sets back when it was a new app. I can’t believe how much functionality keeps getting added as the app has grown into what is now bandhelper. I’ve used it for solo gigging and many bands. I have also recently integrated it as a tool for teaching so that I can easily organize and keep track of songs I’m working on with my students. There are powerful features of the app using midi triggers I have yet to explore or take advantage of but it is nice to know they are there if I ever need them. The songbook portability, easy transpose, ability to add recordings to each song, band setlist-sync, and even the newly added tuner are essentials to how I work everyday as a musician. I recommend this app to any serious musician who doesn’t mind taking the time to import their songbook. Once you’re in, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it.

### 1/5 — Get an IT degree

*2025-07-31, version 2025-06-20*

Just downloaded on advice from my partner. There needs to be some sort of tutorial to even begin to understand how to operate this app. I’ll stick with ForScore.

### 4/5 — Very powerful, step learning curve

*2025-07-19*

I’ve been using Bandhelper since the beginning.  It is extremely powerful.  I currently play drums in an 80’s cover band and have automated scrolling lyrics, reference songs, notes, backing tracks, charts and more attached to each song.  Building set lists is a breeze.  I use the schedule feature and use the checklist function every gig…it has saved me multiple times.

I have also use it for heavily charted bands and shows. Works great. 

With the amazing and useful features comes a steep learning curve and complexity.   There are several tutorials that help. It doesn’t take long to set up set lists. But be ready to spend lots of hours to utilize BandHelper fully.  

I hate the scrolling features.  I spend tons of time to get lyrics to scroll correctly. There are other paging methods, but being a singing drum triggering the paging while playing has not worked for me.

Arlo is an amazing developer and his team is very responsive to technical issues when you use their processes which for me is time consuming.

I have tried just about every app out there and nothing compares to BandHelper. 
 
I sometimes get annoyed with big revisions as they have affected functionality.  It occasionally crashes data entry but has never crashed during a performance.

## Frequently asked questions about BandHelper

### What does BandHelper do?

BandHelper is an organizational suite designed to help bands manage their operations and enhance live performances. It allows for effortless communication, efficient rehearsals, seamless live shows, and professional band management.

### What are the key features of BandHelper?

Key features include automatic distribution of songs and setlists to bandmates, standardized gig invitations, rehearsal tools like speed and loop controls for reference recordings, chord transposition, and performance customization for keyboards, effects, and lighting. It also offers financial tracking and contact management.

### Is BandHelper free to use?

The application is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases for its advanced features and full functionality. This allows users to try out the core capabilities before committing to any purchases.

### What kind of devices is BandHelper compatible with?

While not explicitly stated in the description, this app is designed for mobile devices, implying compatibility with both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, which are the primary platforms for music and organizational applications.

### How can BandHelper help during live performances?

During live performances, BandHelper can be configured to change keyboards, effects, and lighting as songs are switched. It also supports playing backing tracks, click tracks, and video presentations, with options for hands-free control via foot switches and customizable interfaces.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026-08-21 — 2026-08-23

* Added support for LRC formatting: timestamps embedded into lyrics with square brackets. If you start the auto-scroll function for lyrics containing timestamps, BandHelper will jump to lines of lyrics at the specified times instead of smoothly scrolling through the entire lyrics. If you start the auto-scroll function while playing a recording, the LRC timestamps will sync to the recording time, even if you skip or jump around within the recording.

• Added buttons to the automation track edit window to convert between Highlight Lyric Line automation events and LRC timestamps. You can use this if you previously set up lyric highlighting with an automation track but now want to use the new LRC functionality, or if you previously set up lyric highlighting with LRC timestamps but now want to use an automation track.

• Updated the document import function to support LRC files (.lrc extension). If you import an LRC file, BandHelper will copy its lyrics, timestamps and supported metadata into a new song and then discard the file.

• Updated the export buttons to offer more sharing options. Save to Files is still available, but you might have to scroll down or click More to see it.

• Updated the Control Center integration to show the BandHelper icon and allow stepping through songs in a set list if the remote screen offers previous/next buttons. To control BandHelper from the Control Center, you will need to turn off Settings > Audio & MIDI > Play Audio Simultaneously With Other Apps. To step through songs, you will need to have the Start Recording app control action set to Song Selection or Song Auto-Selection.

• Updated the audio functions so another app's audio will keep playing until you play audio from BandHelper when Settings > Audio & MIDI > Play Audio Simultaneously With Other Apps is off, and renamed that setting from Let Other Apps Play Audio In Background to better describe the new behavior.

• Optimized the account syncing by only checking for missing files once at the end of the sync, and added a progress bar while checking for missing files.

• Disabled the operating system's Smart Punctuation functionality in the Chords field to allow typing three dashes to create a column divider.

• Restored the blink behavior of the automation button while recording.

### 2026-08-07 — 2026-08-09

* Updated the workflow for editing app control actions. When you select an action on the Settings > App Control page, you can now access all the available triggers from expandable lists within the same window. You can also click the Learn button, then send a message from a Bluetooth, MIDI or Flic device (including double-click and hold gestures) to select that trigger automatically. And you can remove individual triggers directly from the Settings > App Control page, without selecting the action and the trigger category first.

• Added default app control actions for new app installations: Previous/Next Song on Up/Down Arrow, Previous/Next Page on Left/Right Arrow, Send MIDI on Song Selection and Start/Stop Auto-Scroll and Start/Stop Recording on Two-Fingered Tap.

* Updated the Import button on the Repertoire > Songs page to include two options, Documents and Recordings. Both options allow multiple file selections and will create a new song for each file selected. The Documents option supports a mixture of files that will be attached to a song (PDF, JPEG) and files that will be parsed directly into the song fields (ChordPro, OnSong).

• Removed the playlist import function.

• Updated the main menu shortcuts so that navigating back from a shortcut takes you to the module menu instead of the main menu.

• Moved the Attachments section after the Lyrics section on the song edit page.

• Moved the Size through Loop settings after the Active setting on the document edit page.

• Updated the song search function in the set list view to include custom fields.

• Fixed a problem where background color formatting at the start of the Lyrics field would be copied to the spaces between ChordPro chords.

• Fixed some situations where the transpose buttons were enabled even though no chords were present.

• Added Settings > Advanced > Audio & MIDI > Hardware Sample Rate in case your device doesn't automatically select the sample rate for a connected audio interface.

• Removed the warning message from empty picker windows if the picker window has an add button.

• Removed the help tips from the Repertoire menu.

### 2026-07-24 — 2026-07-26

• Restored the automatic display of the search field in the set list search popup on phones.

• Enabled the Change Another User's Response fields on the event edit page for users who aren't included in the event but do have editing permission.

• Updated the lyrics pagination to avoid scrolling all the text out of view.

• Stopped triggering song selections on following devices when loading a set list on the lead device with Live Sharing.

• Improved the spacing of the Transpose Toolbar layout item.

• Fixed the missing title in the app control action edit window.

• Reduced the size of the Guitar Rack stage plot item.

• Fixed the Cowbell tempo downbeat sound.

### 2026-07-10 — 2026-07-15

• Updated the Full-Screen Lyrics layout template to show some song content and buttons beside the song list instead of only a song list. This provides access to more info and will make the song list load faster.

• Updated the Smart Copy functionality to allow moving smart copies into different projects than the original copy.

• Added a Separate From Original button on the song edit page for smart copies. This breaks the link to the original song and makes the smart copy a fully independent song.

• Fixed the sorting of a smart list by color when using project-specific colors.

• Stopped iOS 26 from hiding all the set list view edit buttons when they don't all fit.

• Fixed a problem where an app control action mapped to a Flic button trigger didn't show as selected in the trigger picker.

• Disabled the response options for Require Response events for users who aren't invited to the event.

### 2026-06-29 — 2026-06-30

• Restored the automatic display of the search field in the set list search popup.

## Apps similar to BandHelper

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [SongSheet Pro: Setlist helper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/songsheet-pro-setlist-helper/id581094194) | 4.7 (2,679) | Free | Music |
| [SongBook Chordpro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/songbook-chordpro/id392888837) | 4.7 (2,311) | $14.99 | Music |
| [MySongbook - Lyrics and chords](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mysongbook-lyrics-and-chords/id504497717) | 3.9 (110) | $9.99 | Music |
| [Deezer: Music Player, Podcast](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deezer-music-player-podcast/id292738169) | 4.7 (36,622) | Free | Music |
| [Shazam: Find Music & Concerts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shazam-find-music-and-concerts/id284993459) | 4.9 (8,794,956) | Free | Music |
| [Setlist Helper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/setlist-helper/id939098002) | 4.8 (6) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Arlo Leach

- [Jug Band](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jug-band/id353281973)
- [Washboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/washboard/id363227793)
- [Autoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoharp/id366274361)
- [Mouth Harp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mouth-harp/id376563785)
- [My Music Alarm](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-music-alarm/id384494602)
- [Set List Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/set-list-maker/id410496349)

All apps by Arlo Leach: https://appshunter.io/developer/353281976

## Related topics

[bandhelper](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bandhelper) · [band setlist manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/band-setlist-manager) · [stage plot maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/stage-plot-maker) · [setlist helper](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/setlist-helper)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*