SongBook+ vs SongBase
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 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
SongBase
This app helps musicians practice their repertoire efficiently using spaced repetition. It allows you to import sheet music, link tutorials, and track progress for each song. Organize songs for performances and utilize built-in practice tools like a tuner and metronome.
- Spaced repetition learning
- Import tabs, sheet music, and videos
- Organize songs by event
- Built-in tuner and metronome
- Progress tracking and statistics
- Local data storage
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Du hast 40 Songs gelernt – und spielst am Ende doch immer dieselben fünf. SongBase merkt sich dein komplettes Repertoire und sagt dir jeden Tag, welche Songs eine Auffrischung brauchen. DEIN TAGESPLAN Wissenschaftlich bewährte Wiederholung (Spaced Repetition): Songs, die du sicher spielst, kommen selten zurück. Wackelige Songs öfter. Nach jeder Session bewertest du in zwei Sekunden, wie sicher es saß – den Rest übernimmt SongBase. Zehn Minuten am Tag reichen. ALLES ZU EINEM SONG AN EINEM ORT • Tabs und Noten als PDF importieren • YouTube-Tutorials verlinken und direkt in der App ansehen • Eigene Fotos und Videos anhängen • Notizen zu Kapo, Griffen und Stolperstellen • Tonart, Tempo und Schwierigkeit festhalten LERNEN IN KLEINEN SCHRITTEN Zerlege jeden Song in Teilziele: „Intro sauber", „Wechsel Am–C", „Solo halbes Tempo". Du siehst jederzeit, wie weit du bist – statt nur „kann ich noch nicht". FÜR DEN NÄCHSTEN AUFTRITT Bündle Songs in Ordnern für Gig, Band oder Event – mit Datum. SongBase zeigt dir, wie viele davon schon sitzen, und übt gezielt die unsicheren durch. Mit Ziel-Datum an einem Song rücken die Wiederholungen automatisch enger zusammen. WERKZEUGE FÜRS ÜBEN • Stimmgerät für Gitarre, direkt über das Mikrofon • Metronom mit einstellbarer Taktart • Übungs-Timer, der die Session danach gleich einträgt DEIN FORTSCHRITT Streak, Übungstage, gespielte Minuten und wie viele Songs wirklich sitzen – ehrliche Zahlen ohne Schönfärberei. DEINE DATEN BLEIBEN BEI DIR Kein Konto, keine Anmeldung, keine Cloud. Alles liegt auf deinem iPhone. Du kannst jederzeit alles als JSON exportieren oder komplett löschen. KOSTENLOS NUTZBAR Bis zu 25 Songs, 1 PDF und 2 YouTube-Links pro Song sowie 3 Ordner – dauerhaft gratis, mit dezenter Werbung. SONGBASE PREMIUM • Unbegrenzt Songs, PDFs, YouTube-Links und Ordner • Keine Werbung • Als Abo (monatlich/jährlich) oder einmalig als Lifetime Für Gitarre, Klavier, Bass, Ukulele und Gesang. Nutzungsbedingungen (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: SongBase at 100% against SongBook+'s 64%. SongBook+'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 SongBase sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SongBook+ ships an update every 5 weeks, SongBase every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SongBook+ | SongBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (162 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 162 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BauM-Software Matthias Bauer | Arthur Hardy Kotsch |
Customer experience
SongBook+
SongBase
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
SongBase
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
SongBase
- Songbase Premium Monthly$0.991 Month
- Premium Jahresabo$12.991 Year
- Premium Lifetime$17.99









