SongBook+ vs Simple Chords
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
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SongBook+ is the digital songbook for musicians who want their repertoire firmly under control, especially live on stage. Lyrics and sheet music are on screen instead of in a binder, each song keeps its own backing track, and with a MIDI-capable keyboard, SongBook+ recalls the matching registration as you open the song. No changing settings by hand, no searching between songs. SongBook+ works with your own material: lyrics, sheet music, backing tracks, videos, and MIDI files in common formats such as PDF, ChordPro, and MP3. No songs, lyrics, sheet music, backing tracks, or other files are included. Import your files via the Files app, Finder, Wi-Fi, or “Open in”, guided by an illustrated online manual. For solo performers with a keyboard, singers with backing tracks, cover bands, hobby musicians, and anyone with a large repertoire. For practice, rehearsals, lessons, the studio, and the stage. On iPad, iPhone, and Mac, on the App Store since 2011, continuously expanded with new features and updated for new iOS versions and devices. Use up to 15 of your own songs for free and set them up for your next gig. When your repertoire grows, unlock the full version in the app, either as a subscription or as a purchase with five years of updates. After those five years, your installed version keeps working; newer versions require a new purchase. The sponsoring subscriptions in the list of in-app purchases are a voluntary way to support development, not needed for the full version. To try out the features, load sample songs directly in the app. Keyboard and MIDI, matched to every song: • Recall keyboard registrations when you open a song • Send MIDI commands when opening, starting, stopping, or closing a song • Trigger MIDI commands with assignable buttons in the document • Play MIDI files through external sound modules • MIDI monitor, macros, routing, and THRU On stage, without searching: • Find any song in seconds, even on the fly: search, filters, tags, sorting • As many playlists as you like, for example one setlist per gig • Live playlist: add songs for the next set during a break, played songs can disappear automatically • Preselect the next song while the current one plays • Turn full pages or scroll smoothly, also automatically • Control SongBook+ by foot pedal or MIDI, your hands stay on the instrument • Night mode with inverted colors for dark stages • Visual and/or audible metronome • Portrait or landscape orientation Backing tracks, click, and video, every track where it belongs: • Play MP3, WAV, AIFF, and M4A • Up to 5 stereo audio files in sync • Mixer with volume, EQ for audio files, global and per song • Click and backing track on separate outputs (external hardware required) • Global balance, pan, channel assignment to external outputs • Loop audio, MIDI, and video files • Play jingles • Fade out songs: audio, video, and MIDI • Play your own karaoke videos directly on the iPad • External monitor or projector, rotatable image, also for song videos With the band, everyone on the same song: • Connect multiple iPads wirelessly and open songs in sync • Sync the live playlist with your band's devices, everyone sees the same set • Only the song number is sent, so each musician keeps their own view and notes • Separate books, for example one per band or project Prepare and practice, set up once, open anytime: • Display PDF, TXT, images, LRC, and ChordPro • Scan lyrics and sheet music to PDF with the camera • Import lyrics from MIDI and MP3 files • Add notes, chords, symbols, highlights, and handwriting • Record the song position with your finger and play it back karaoke-style After the gig: • Music log for reporting to ASCAP, BMI, PRS, and others • Back up, restore, export, and share data See how other musicians use SongBook+ with their keyboards and sound modules in the customer videos on songbookplus.com. Terms of Use (EULA) and Privacy Policy: https://www.songbookplus.com/privacy-terms-conditions
Simple Chords
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Simple Chords is an easy-to-use song and chord editor designed for musicians, singers, and songwriters. Whether you are practicing, performing, or composing, this app provides the essential tools to manage your song sheets and enhance your music experience. Key Features: Song Library: Keep all your custom song sheets organized and accessible in one portable place. Multi-Column View: Optimize your screen layout to see more of your song sheet at once. (Optimized for iPad and larger screens). Auto-Scroll: Play hands-free without dropping a single beat during practice or live sets. Instant Transposition: Seamlessly shift keys. Font Size & Custom Layouts: Adjust text sizes and spacing for perfect readability on stage or in the studio. Flexible Display Modes: Toggle easily between "Lyrics with Chords" or a clean "Lyrics Only" view. Whether you are performing live, jamming with friends, or writing your next song, Simple Chords keeps your music organized. Download Simple Chords today! Terms and Conditions (EULA): https://www.simplechords.app/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.simplechords.app/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Simple Chords at every 5 days against SongBook+'s every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 Simple Chords sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SongBook+ ships an update every 6 weeks, Simple Chords every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SongBook+ | Simple Chords |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (163 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 163 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 67 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BauM-Software Matthias Bauer | MARLON MESTICA |
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
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- 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
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- 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
Simple Chords
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SongBook+
- BRONZE sponsor (monthly)$0.991 Month
- SILVER sponsor (monthly)$1.991 Month
- Full version (monthly)$1.991 Month
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- 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
Simple Chords
- Remove Ads$2.99
Questions
Is SongBook+ free?
Is Simple Chords free?
Do SongBook+ or Simple Chords have ads?
Which is updated more often, SongBook+ or Simple Chords?
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