SongBook+ vs Setlists
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SongBook+
Manage your song library with lyrics, sheet music, and playbacks. This app offers extensive features for musicians, including MIDI control, audio playback, and video support, all accessible on stage. Unlock the full version via in-app purchase to remove song limits.
- Manage songs with search and sort
- View lyrics and sheet music
- Play audio and MIDI files
- Control MIDI devices
- Create playlists
- Handwrite and annotate documents
- Foot pedal control
Read full descriptionHide full description
SongBook+ is the digital songbook for musicians who want to use lyrics, sheet music, setlists, backing tracks, videos, and MIDI features reliably on iPad, iPhone, or Mac. Whether you practice privately, play as a hobby musician, perform solo with a keyboard, sing with backing tracks, play in a cover band, or manage a large repertoire: SongBook+ helps you prepare your songs clearly and access them quickly whenever you need them. SongBook+ can be used free of charge with up to 15 songs. For larger repertoires, the full version can be unlocked via in-app purchase or subscription. Note: SongBook+ does not include ready-made lyrics, sheet music, backing tracks, or other files. The app is used to display, organize, and play back your own files. For lyrics, sheet music, and setlists: - Display PDF, TXT, images, LRC, and ChordPro - Create playlists and live setlists - Search, sort, tag, and organize songs in multiple books - Add annotations, chords, symbols, highlights, and handwritten notes - Turn pages or scroll smoothly - Turn pages or scroll automatically - Record the song position with your finger and play it back later in karaoke style - Import lyrics from MIDI and MP3 files - Photograph lyrics and sheet music with the camera and convert them to PDFs For backing tracks, audio, and video: - Play MP3, WAV, AIFF, and M4A files - Use up to 5 stereo audio files in sync - Mixer with volume controls and equalizer globally and per song - Global balance/pan controls and assignment of audio channels to external audio outputs - Use separate audio outputs with external hardware, for example for click tracks - Play MIDI files through external sound modules - Play karaoke videos directly on the iPad - Output videos matching the song to an external monitor or projector - Use loops for audio, MIDI, and video files - Play jingles - Fade out audio smoothly For MIDI and live performance: - Recall keyboard registrations when opening a song - Send MIDI commands when opening, starting, stopping, or closing a song - Remote-control SongBook+ via MIDI or foot pedal - Trigger custom MIDI commands with configurable buttons in the document - Connect multiple iPads wirelessly and open songs in sync - Preselect the next song while the current song is still running - Use MIDI monitor, MIDI macros, MIDI routing, and MIDI THRU More practical features: - Use portrait or landscape orientation - Night mode with inverted colors - Visual and/or audible metronome - Connect and rotate an external monitor if needed - Music log for reporting to GEMA, SUISA, and other organizations - Back up, restore, export, and share data - Use multiple separate books, for example one book per band or project SongBook+ is made for musicians who want to stay in control of their repertoire: while practicing, rehearsing, teaching, in the studio, and especially live on stage. In-app purchases and sponsoring: SongBook+ can be used free of charge with up to 15 songs. For larger repertoires, the full version can be unlocked via in-app purchase or subscription. In addition, satisfied users can optionally support ongoing development and support through voluntary sponsoring. Sponsoring is not required to use the full version. Information about privacy, terms of use, and in-app purchases is available here: https://www.songbookplus.com/privacy-terms-conditions
Setlists
This app helps live performers organize their song catalog, prompt lyrics and chords on stage, and keep band members in sync. It includes features like backing tracks, a metronome, and Bluetooth pedal support for seamless performance management.
- Song cataloging with lyrics and chords
- Live lyric and chord prompting
- Backing track integration
- Built-in metronome
- Multi-device band synchronization
- Bluetooth foot pedal support
Read full descriptionHide full description
New Version 2.1 - Now with backing tracks and metronome! Catalog your repertoire. Prompt your lyrics live on stage. Keep everyone in sync. If you perform live on stage, alone or with a group, Setlists will make you a better professional. Forget carrying around heavy binders of paper and writing up tonight’s set on a napkin with a Sharpie. Setlists puts your entire song catalog into one simple app for your iPad or iPhone. Organize your songs into sets and prompt the lyrics and chords during live performance on multiple devices for everyone in the band. Setlists is a free download, so you can see why so many use Setlists as their song organizer and lyric prompter of choice. With a one-time in-app purchase, you can unlock all of the unlimited and advanced features Setlists has to offer.[1] Song Catalog Store information about every song in your catalog. Artist, title, tempo, duration, key signature, lyrics, and now even chords. Your catalog will store all the information you need to design the perfect set for tonight’s performance. Lyric Prompting Prompt your lyrics like a pro. Full screen and in the font and color of your choice. Advance with a simple swipe or with the touch of a Bluetooth foot pedal or hand switch. Alternatively, if you have your hands full with an instrument, auto-scroll your lyrics at your desired pace. Chord Changes Add chord changes to your lyric sheets in a variety of styles, with fingering charts for guitar, ukulele, baritone ukulele, banjo, 5-string banjo, and mandolin. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting that chord progression again. Backing Tracks (new in 2.1) Select a track from your iTunes Library to play as a backing track for a song! Metronome / Click (new in 2.1) Choose a BPM for a song, turn on the new click feature, and let Setlists keep you on tempo! Bluetooth Foot Pedal Support Control lyric prompting from a variety of Bluetooth foot pedal and hand controlled devices, including those from AirTurn, iRig, Cicada and more. Jam Session Those who perform in a group can keep everyone in sync using the Jam Session feature. Connect an additional iOS device for every member of the group, and each performer can have his or her own view of the lyrics, the upcoming songs in the set, or both.[2] Sync and Backup You spend a lot of time organizing your song catalog and entering all that precious data. Now you can back it all up using iCloud or Dropbox. Have an iPhone and an iPad? Now you can keep your catalog in sync on all of your personal iOS devices.[3] Apple Watch On the watch, you can see current and upcoming song information and advance to the next song with a tap on your wrist. And Much More… *Import songs in .txt, .rtf and .docx formats, from a variety of sources, including Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and iTunes. Or search for songs on the web to quickly copy lyrics. *Export songs once they’ve been formatted, to share or keep a backup copy. *Add songs in ChordPro: Setlists is now compatible with the ChordPro format. *Use Rich Text formatting to add bold, underline, and multiple colors to your songs. *Print or email your songs or sets right from your iOS device. (Requires an iOS compatible printer) *Keep notes on any song you like, such as keyboard patches, number of repetitions for a chorus, who starts the song, etc. Download and try Setlists today for free, and see why it’s the professional’s choice. 1. Pro upgrade unlocks unlimited songs and sets, unlimited Jam Sessions, and backup/sync to all your iOS devices. 2. Split view mode available on iPad only. Pro upgrade will unlock unlimited Jam Sessions. Each participating device must be upgraded. 3. Backup and Sync require Pro upgrade. Setlists was made by and for performing musicians. We value your feedback! If you have any feedback or questions about the app please let us know at: support@bombingbrain.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: SongBook+ at 64% against Setlists's 16%. SongBook+ also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.1). Setlists's advantage is iOS requirement (9.2 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SongBook+ sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Setlists sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SongBook+ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 161 and 183 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of SongBook+'s written reviews are positive against 16% of Setlists's.
SongBook+ ships an update every 5 weeks, Setlists every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SongBook+ | Setlists |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (161 ratings) — better | 2.1 (183 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews — better | 16.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 161 | 183 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 9.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 88 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BauM-Software Matthias Bauer | Bombing Brain Interactive |
Customer experience
SongBook+
Setlists
User reviews
SongBook+
From 161 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Versatile and feature-rich
- 👍 Excellent for managing music repertoire
- 👍 Reliable for live performances
- 👍 Seamless MIDI integration with keyboards
- 👍 Great for organizing lyrics and chords
Room to improve
- 😞 Steep learning curve for some
- 😞 Expensive for some users
- 😞 Can be complex to set up
- 😞 Some users find the UI difficult to navigate
- 😞 Limited functionality in free version
Setlists
From 183 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Powerful and flexible
- 📚 Great for organizing lyrics and setlists
- 🎨 User-friendly interface
- 🔍 Convenient search and import features
- 💻 Works well with Bluetooth devices
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔧 Unreliable syncing and backup
- 🕰 Scrolling issues and page jumping
- 🚫 Lack of customer support
- 💰 Expensive for the issues experienced
Bugs and requests
SongBook+
Reported bugs
14 issues- App freezes when switching to other apps on iPad Pro
- Dropbox import hangs after a few songs
- Crashes during live performance (video playback)
- Full version won't open after purchase
- Last page of songs not accessible
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Update forces repurchase of the app
- App resets to demo mode after update
- Issues with purchase restoration
- App crashes iPad 2 during songs
- Cannot share all content with another device
- MIDI issues with specific devices (e.g., PA4x, Genos2, Roland VAccordion)
- App not showing in settings
- Importing from iCloud not working for some
- Cannot edit or change font size of songs
Requested features
14 requests- Fade out for MP3 files
- Phone number for support
- Option to change background color
- Ability to copy playlists
- Sort criteria option on the left side
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Song scrolling without song option (for metronome)
- Improvement for iPad Pro stability when switching apps
- Better explanation for MIDI configuration
- ChordPro format import
- Dark mode option
- More intuitive UI for beginners
- Option to not open blank PDF pages
- Wireless/MIDI selection of songs on accordion
- Annotation feature
Setlists
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes when opening songs
- Lyrics disappearing or displaying incorrectly
- Syncing issues causing data loss
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- Inability to delete or edit certain songs
Requested features
5 requests- Improved syncing and backup options
- Customizable scrolling and page turning
- Support for more file formats (PDF, Word, etc.)
- Better organization and management of large song libraries
- Regular updates and bug fixes
In-app purchases
SongBook+
- BRONZE sponsor (monthly)$0.991 Month
- SILVER sponsor (monthly)$1.991 Month
- Full version (monthly)$1.991 Month
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- GOLD sponsor (monthly)$3.991 Month
- BRONZE sponsor (yearly)$11.491 Year
- Full version (yearly)$20.491 Year
- SILVER sponsor (yearly)$22.991 Year
- GOLD sponsor (yearly)$45.991 Year
- Full version$49.99
- Updates +5 years$49.99
Setlists
- Setlists Pro Edition$19.99








