Comparison

Stage vs ShowCue

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Stage

Features
Read full description

Stage Performer is built for musicians, bands, worship teams, DJs and live performers who need reliable show control on stage. Create song libraries, organise setlists and books, add scrolling lyrics, attach backing tracks and prepare MIDI cues for foot pedals and connected gear. In performance mode, Stage Performer keeps the live screen focused on the current song so you can move through a show without digging through menus. For bands and crews, Live Beam lets another device join a performance session and follow the current song and lyrics. Lighting tools support DMX scene and timeline preparation for performers who want their show cues in the same place as their music. Stage Performer Pro is available as an auto-renewable subscription with a free trial where offered. Subscriptions are managed through your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ShowCue

Features
Read full description

ShowCue helps musicians and performers organise and run dependable live shows. Build a song library, arrange set lists, and keep the details of every performance in one place. ShowCue brings together backing tracks, lyrics, song notes, MIDI cue programming, reports and live playback tools in a focused, stage-friendly interface. Key features: • Create and organise songs, set lists and performance notes • Add backing tracks for reliable offline playback • View lyrics and song information while performing • Program MIDI cues for compatible audio, lighting and MIDI equipment • Send automatic MIDI tap-tempo messages during playback, with per-song beat, half-note or quarter-note timing • Track completed songs and review performance reports • Keep your show data in sync with iCloud • Keep audio and device-specific audio/MIDI routing local to each device • Use the free edition with up to five songs Device availability: ShowCue runs on iPhone and iPad. The iPhone app provides a streamlined experience for managing songs and set lists, live playback, reports and settings. The full Programming workspace—including waveform editing, cue programming and detailed MIDI programming—is available on iPad. Unlock Full ShowCue with a one-time in-app purchase for unlimited songs, set lists, backing tracks, MIDI programming and future songs.

Screenshots

Stage4 screens
ShowCue3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Stage at 4 against ShowCue's 2. Stage also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Stage sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and ShowCue sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Stage versus ShowCue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStageShowCue
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNathan GribbleNeil Moore

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Stage

Subscriptions1
  • Stage Performer Pro$4.991 Month
1 purchases

ShowCue

One-time1
  • Unlock Full ShowCue$24.99

Questions

Is Stage free?
Stage is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShowCue free?
ShowCue is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stage or ShowCue have ads?
Neither Stage nor ShowCue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stage or ShowCue?
Stage ships an update every 5 days, and ShowCue every 5 days. Most recently, Stage was updated on October 12, 2026 and ShowCue on October 7, 2026.

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