# Stage Plot Maker — user reviews > 71 indexed App Store user reviews of Stage Plot Maker by Arlo Leach, rated 2.00/5 from 8 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stage-plot-maker/id903691661/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stage-plot-maker/id903691661.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 5 ## What do users think of Stage Plot Maker? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use (few users) - 👍 Good for basic setups (few users) - 👍 Helpful for communication (few users) **Cons** - 👎 Missing essential instruments - 👎 Limited instrument options - 👎 Difficult to use - 👎 Poor user interface - 👎 Not intuitive - 👎 Cannot resize items - 👎 Cannot zoom - 👎 Clunky controls - 👎 Expensive for features - 👎 Basic functionality - 👎 Amateurish design - 👎 Unusable for many - 👎 Bugs and crashes - 👎 Poor execution - 👎 Not professional - 👎 Wasted money - 👎 Limited icons - 👎 Input/output list issues - 👎 Stage size too small - 👎 Items too large - 👎 Editing screen obscured - 👎 Cannot edit input list - 👎 Cannot export/email plots - 👎 Text too small - 👎 Colliding lists and plot - 👎 No guitar amps/monitors - 👎 No drum kit option - 👎 No mic stand symbols - 👎 No horns/wind instruments - 👎 No string instruments - 👎 No DJ deck option - 👎 No guitar pedalboard option **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes frequently - App closes out on itself - Grey boxes stay on - Cannot open or edit plans on other devices - Cannot export or email plots - Drafts erased when device goes to standby - Settings page gets stuck - Rotate function doesn't work - Input list and 'other items' list clutter plot - Cannot edit input list without adding to plot - Cannot zoom in - Cannot resize items - Cannot resize stage - Editing screen obscures view - Items too big, stage too small - No guitar amps or monitors, end up as drums - Cannot label properly - Text for input list too small - Colliding lists and plot - No DJ deck listed - No guitar pedalboard position option **Most requested features** - Add guitars, basses, keyboards, amps - Add mic stands - Add horns, wind instruments - Add string instruments - Add DJ deck option - Add guitar pedalboard option - Improve instrument selection - Allow resizing of items - Allow resizing of stage - Enable zooming - Add free-form label creation - Add power box indicators - Add graphic for band members - Add full drum kit graphic - Improve input/output list display - Allow editing of input list - Add more icons for PA, recording, lighting - Provide a grid for alignment - Fix crashing issues - Improve export/email functionality - Add tutorial - Add dark mode - Add adjustable stage size - Add editable instruments with custom names - Improve touchscreen controls - Allow importing custom icons - Add photo import without crashing - Fix standby mode erasing drafts - Add sort function for objects - Make it free or cheaper ## Newest reviews (16 of 71) ### 1/5 — Utter tosh *2022-08-17* What a waste of £3.49 (I know, it’s not exactly £££, but still!). Genuinely, don’t consider this if you’re looking to do a professional stage plan. I reverted back to creating something far more accurate on my laptop which might take a bit of time, but is not nearly as time consuming as waiting for a reply from the ‘help’ on this, and I should have trusted my gut in the first place. Ahhh well, live and learn. ### 1/5 — Can’t believe I wasted money on this *2022-08-11, version 1.2.6* This developer should rethink making apps ### 1/5 — Terrible *2021-08-03, version 1.2.4* Please don’t waste your money. Good idea, very bad execution. ### 1/5 — Nowhere near enough to do a professional plot *2021-04-29, version 1.2.4* It’s worth spending the extra money on something like stage plot pro. ### 1/5 — DO NOT BUY *2021-01-26* This app is a waste of money. Read the description properly before you decide to waste your money. What is the point of a stage plot builder if you can’t add basic instruments? This app needs a full redevelopment. **Developer response:** You can add the inputs for the instruments, not the instruments themselves. This is explained in the app description. ### 1/5 — Horrible app *2020-02-03, version 1.2.2* This is the most ridiculous app I have ever used. It’s missing so many key items for stage plotting and it’s very hard to use. I would give it 0 stars if I could. Requesting a refund ASAP! ### 1/5 — This app is trash *2019-12-17* You can’t edit the icons, nor the list. It’s missing other items and should have list separate from icons. If I want to edit list I should be able too. Not all icons are wanted on my connection list. I want a refund!!! **Developer response:** For help using the app, you can contact the developer. To request a refund, you can contact Apple. ### 1/5 — Nothing on this works *2019-10-18* I feel silly having paid for this. It should have been so easy. ### 1/5 — I wish I could rate this less than one star *2019-06-07, version 1.2.2* This app is BAD! No guitar, bass, or mic stand symbols. Hopefully I can get a refund. I DO NOT recommend this app. ### 1/5 — This is in useable *2019-05-17, version 1.2.2* I could do better drawing by hand and scanning or in MS Word. Absolutely terrible. ### 2/5 — Frustrating *2018-08-02* A little frustrating after spending some time designing a stage plan with limited instruments etc, I then sent it to my tech crew who also payed to download your app then couldn’t open or edit the plan from there device. **Developer response:** You can send a stage plot in a PDF format that doesn't require the app to view, but isn't editable; or a data format that does require the app to view and is editable. Please contact us directly if you need help: https://helpdesk.arlomedia.com/arlomedia ### 1/5 — Total crap *2018-06-04, version 1.2.2* Wish I had my money back. Not useful at all. ### 1/5 — Highly annoying to use *2018-04-02* Missing some very common sense items, difficult to edit or ad real world items that are needed. No mic stand symbols, amateur looking powers symbols, can’t edit input list, no drumkit symbol have to add individually. Takes way too much time to do this! I’m a pro touring guy and would never want to present the results from this to experienced sound guys or stage managers! **Developer response:** You can indicate mic stand types by editing the labels for the mics. You can edit the input list by editing the name and channel number for each input item on the stage plot. For drum kits, you can build your kit and then select all items to copy and paste to different stage plots. One of the sample stage plots has a basic kit you can start with. ### 1/5 — Probably the worst app ever made. *2017-12-11* This is the worst app I have ever used! There isn’t even a “drum kit” option...you must build a kit with little circles. Couldn’t find any monitor options and the “other items” just messes up what ever frustrating work you already had laid out. I’ll be asking for my money back, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS. Far to complicated for something that should be easy and simply to use. **Developer response:** One of the sample stage plots has a basic drum kit you can start with. The monitor options are listed under Outputs. ### 1/5 — Not practical, awkward ux *2017-11-28, version 1.2.2* Can’t zoom in to work on detail areas. Text for input list is too small to read/edit. I love the setlist maker app and assumed this “sister” app would have the same well thought out interface. ### 1/5 — Worthless unless your band consists only of keyboards and cymbals *2017-06-13, version 1.1.1.0* Silly me for not reading the reviews. Arlo, I like your other apps; why did you take my $4 and why did you put this on the app store? ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Stuck in the past *2025-08-11* If I were Barbara Dicksons tour manager in 1983, this would probably be brilliant. However in a world of digital triggers, complex pedalboards and multiple signal routing options it isn’t. Also why have a DJ deck listed and not the option to show the position of a guitar pedalboard ? Disappointed ### 1/5 — Who the hell’s rating this thing five stars? *2025-08-09* Obviously not anybody who’s actually tried using it. Went with this app for stage plotting because a much better one that I was recommended was retired before I could even try it out, so I went with this slop instead Lacks bare basic functionality. Try to place a riser, gotta place your finger just right on the expand tab or you’ll default to shrinking the riser so you can even touch it to get rid of it and try again. Zooming in and moving around? Sorry, that’s too much to ask of this app. DO NOT PURCHASED THIS APP. The developers have zero business charging money for this app and never fixing any of the many bugs. They should either release updates or dump the app entirely, because right now it’s worth less than free. ### 1/5 — Really bad *2024-12-13* Choix d’instruments extrêmement réduit ! À fuir ### 1/5 — Essentially Worthless-kiss $3.99 away *2024-06-11* Not easy to figure out, the app gets in the way instead of clearing the way- not sure what i expected for $3.99 But Stage -g*r* app is much more user friendly and quick, for $2 bucks more…sorry guys-work on this one. Even for FREE it doesnt do it. ### 1/5 — Not worth the 3.99 *2024-02-18* You can do more on word ### 1/5 — Don’t buy, impossible to use *2023-07-04* Useless mess. ### 1/5 — WHAT A MESS! *2023-06-04* This is the 2nd Stage Making app that completely wasted my time and money. WHERE ARE THE INSTRUMENTS? There is more in a band than pianos drums and violins. Where are the guitars? Basses? Keyboards? The owner says he replies to e-mails? Where is his e-mail because I want my $4.00 back. **Developer response:** The app description explains how inputs versus instruments are handled. I didn't receive any messages about this app around the date you posted your review. ### 1/5 — Total Junk *2023-03-07* The illustrations are bad. You can’t resize them. The inputs are very limited. This should not cost money. Please read reviews before purchasing. ### 1/5 — Horrible *2023-01-10, version 1.2.6* The most amateur app I’ve ever encountered . It should be pretty straightforward but it’s not. It’s missing very important features such as, instruments, mic stands, amps. Do not buy it ! ### 1/5 — SCAM!! *2022-09-23, version 1.2.6* You cannot even put guitar or bass on the stage plot. Also there is no drum set. Highly unusable!!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Venue Owners and Show Producers LOVE THIS!! *2016-02-05* This app has been very useful as a communication tool for creating quick and easy stage setup diagrams to show the desired position for each band member, which band members need a power outlets, as well as each person's monitor preferences. It's been great to be able to provide those stage plots to venue owners and show producers. They have all been both impressed and thankful for the information, and they are usually happy to oblige! As for all of the negative reviews, I'm completely stumped! If you want help, you've gotta ask for it or you're never gonna get it. And this is the wrong place to be asking for that help! Anyone who knows anything about the iOS App Store knows that developers have NO WAY to respond to reviews. You need to contact the developer directly for assistance. I have been a long-time user of Arlo's other apps, BandHelper and Set List Maker, and anyone who has ever reached out to Arlo for assistance with a problem knows that he is SUPER helpful and quick to respond to issues with his apps. (And while I'm at it, the developers are not able to provide refunds. You need to contact Apple for that! I've had very good luck getting app refunds when it was justified.) ### 5/5 — Great App! So useful! *2016-02-04* Overall Great App! Used this for a last minute stage plot request. Anyways, the app does sometimes close out on itself. And the grey boxes always stay turned on even when you aren't selecting the item, which becomes a problem when trying to align instrument parts. I rate this a 5 despicable those few problems. I suggest you add a short tutorial if you can and maybe add guitar bass and acoustic. Please add that to the instrument section. **Developer response:** In the current app version, only the item you're currently interacting with shows as selected. Also, the app description explains the available instrument icons. ### 5/5 — Nice app, but still a couple of miles to go.. *2015-08-04* Whenever you're performing in a club or at some greater location, the event manager may ask you for a technical rider. In general, this document contains your band's stage floorplan, the channel assignment for the mixing console and the time schedule (to tell your host when to pick up the band at the hotel, when to start/finish the sound check and so on). This easy-to-use app helps you to "draw" your band's floorplan. It comes along with a basic set of icons that can be selected and placed on your plot's page. Mixer input related objects like all kind of microphones and XLR jacks are listed in a column on the left hand side of your plot's page, while all other items like wedges, guitar stands, furniture etc. are listed in a column in the center of the page. Too bad, that the two tables do collide with your plot what reduces the room left to draw your stage layout dramatically. What else is missing? * Stop the draft being erased whenever the iPad/iPhone switches to standby mode * Provide an integrated a sort function to list all objects in alphabetical order despite their sequence of entry * Offer a grid for aligning the icons precisely * Add further icons for the P. A. stuff, the recording and lighting equipment * Provide a file exchange function for sending the plot to your band mates and technician for further editing Since the app developer is well known for his excellent customer service and his great IT skills, I guess that it is just a matter of weeks until we'll see these enhancements being launched...;<) ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2015-07-27* I also use set list maker by Arlo Leach. Both are EXCELLENT apps. Intuitive layout and very useful for pre-planning gigs. A real time saver for gig setup. ### 4/5 — Well worth the price *2024-01-25* While I agree with many other reviews that I wish I could visually represent instruments like guitars and basses and such, I don’t see that as a reason to knock more than a star off this app. It does what it needs to do well and intuitively. Many reviews just didn’t bother to actually learn how to use the app. The only other thing I’ve encountered so far is wishing for more options for the display of inputs and outputs. Like being able to resize those elements or have them overflow to a second column if necessary, and such. For example my outputs list had 5 outputs and then a bunch of space to the right so I couldn’t seem to move it over as much as I wanted. Still well worth $4 and gets the job done. I’m a long time avid Band Helper user but don’t want to pay double what I pay now when the only extra module I need is the Stage Plot so I decided to take a chance with this stand alone instead. Hopefully it keeps getting developed and improved but even as is, I’m quite happy with it. ### 4/5 — So far so good *2017-01-14* So far I'm liking the app, I've only done one plot so far and it's very easy to use. I'd like to be able to zoom in on the plot. When using my iPhone it can be hard to read inputs and notes. It would also be nice to be able to resize the items and stage itself. **Developer response:** Zooming while editing was added in version 1.2. ### 4/5 — Draw a stage plan for your next gig within minutes *2016-10-01* Easy to use app for quickly setting up a stage plan. Nice feature: Add the portraits of all the artists to help the FOH engineer to identify the artists. Does contain an export function to share the result with your bandmates. The only thing you have to keep in mind when developing the plan is that the upper part of the page is being used to list the gear (automatically), so you better just use the lower part for "drawing" the stage layout. ### 3/5 — Extremely helpful but limited *2017-11-03* This definitely helps to present an idea but I would love to see more cymbals for smaller midi keyboards, string instruments, wind instruments, and the ability to change sizes of each cymbal for stage proportions. ### 3/5 — Does the job, but room for easy improvements *2017-08-08* Bought the app to make simple stage plots for my bands, and it does just that. With some minor additions, it could be much better. Suggestions: Free-form label creations Symbols for smaller instruments Adjustable stage size Power box indicators Graphic for band members Drum kit graphic (instead of Indv drums) Wouldn't recommend paying for it until these simple additions are made. **Developer response:** Freeform labels: on my wish list. Symbols for smaller instruments: no plans to add; see app description. Adjustable stage size: currently the whole page is your stage, but you don't have to use the full area. Power box indicators: already included. Graphic for band members: already included. Graphic for entire drum kit: not included, but if you set up a drum kit in one stage plot, you can copy and paste it to other stage plots. ### 2/5 — target audience missed. so much nothing here *2023-02-04* Creating a plot is very basic and a bit labor intensive. you get to use circles and squares to build a drum kit and the circles are the same size for toms and cymbals. i could do better creating my own Icons in a word program with far more shape options to choose from. The "instruments" category doesn't even include guitars or amps, and most icons seem very geared to stage hands and techs rather than performers who usually see a stage plot in terms of where the amps go... not mics, DI's and PA lines. There are some interesting features like the list that populates inputs and outputs but that again is only moderately useful to a performer and better suited to the audio tech. Which begs the question to the developer, who was this App actually designed for? After reading a few reviews, (some as many as 4 or 5 years ago), it appears similar requests, concerns, and issues echoed my own. So I contacted the developer via their support to pitch the idea of making some changes and although response was same day, it never felt like my concerns were addressed, rather it came off as dismissive with a, "learn how to use our product because were not going to change anything" tone attached. Anyways, on that note, I will find my own solution to share with my clients. As for the $6.00CA, meh, keep it. At least you responded. Pete L. **Developer response:** To answer your question, the app was designed for musicians to communicate their needs to the tech crew at a venue. It does include icons for amps to show their positioning. As for more detailed drum shapes and sizes, we believe a simplified diagram style is easier to read and better suited to the task than realistic images of instruments. We're sorry to sound dismissive and hope you would not take it personally if we prefer to stick to this vision for the app. --- *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 2026-08-27.*