# BandHelper vs StagePlot Guru

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BandHelper at 78% against StagePlot Guru's 25%. BandHelper also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.5) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BandHelper sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and StagePlot Guru sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BandHelper holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 113 and 120 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of BandHelper's written reviews are positive against 25% of StagePlot Guru's.

BandHelper ships an update every 2 weeks, StagePlot Guru every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BandHelper | StagePlot Guru |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (113 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bandhelper/id552012927/reviews)** | [2.5 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stageplot-guru/id843432883/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 113 | **120** |
| Positive reviews | **78.3% of reviews** | 24.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 70 MB | 124 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Arlo Leach](https://appshunter.io/developer/353281976) | [Active Media Production Group, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/843437886) |

## What reviewers say

### BandHelper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bandhelper/id552012927)

Streamline band operations with this comprehensive organizational suite. Effortlessly share music, manage setlists, and coordinate rehearsals. Enhance live performances with customizable settings and backing tracks, while also managing finances and contacts professionally.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

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

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful features
- 👍 Customizable and flexible
- 🤖 Seamless MIDI integration
- 💻 Convenient web interface
- 🔄 Effective sync across devices

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### StagePlot Guru

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stageplot-guru/id843432883)

Design, save, and share professional stage plots with an intuitive interface and a vast library of industry-standard props. Customize your layouts with text labels, logos, and equipment lists for clear communication.

**Highlights:** Create professional stage plots, Save and share designs, Over 250 industry-standard props, Customizable text labels and lists, Add company/band logos, Print/share as PDF, Unlimited cloud storage

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Horn Section Set | Free | one-time |
| Alto Saxophone | Free | one-time |
| Tenor Saxophone | Free | one-time |
| Trombone | Free | one-time |
| Trumpet | Free | one-time |
| Jazz Kit | Free | one-time |
| Video Camera, Projector, and Screen | Free | one-time |
| PA Items | Free | one-time |
| Shapes | Free | one-time |
| Pro Version | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and easy to use
- 👍 Professional-looking stage plots
- 💡 Helpful for organizing and communicating stage setups
- 🚀 Intuitive and user-friendly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Overly restrictive free version
- 💰 Expensive for full features
- 🤔 Clunky and unintuitive interface
- 🤔 Lacking key features and customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and data loss
- Saving and loading issues
- Exporting low-quality or incomplete stage plots
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- More instrument and equipment options
- Ability to rotate and resize items freely
- Improved text editing and formatting
- Better stage dimension and layout controls
- Seamless cloud sync and backup


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BandHelper free?

BandHelper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is StagePlot Guru free?

StagePlot Guru is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BandHelper or StagePlot Guru?

BandHelper is rated higher. BandHelper averages 4.3 out of 5 from 113 ratings, while StagePlot Guru averages 2.5 from 120 ratings.

### Do BandHelper or StagePlot Guru have ads?

Neither BandHelper nor StagePlot Guru shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BandHelper or StagePlot Guru?

BandHelper ships an update every 2 weeks, and StagePlot Guru every 3 weeks. Most recently, BandHelper was updated on September 17, 2026 and StagePlot Guru on September 14, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*