Theater Mode
Distraction-free performance view with auto-scroll, wakelock, and setlist navigation.
Songbook Buddy vs forScore
forScore is the PDF sheet-music standard on iPad. Songbook Buddy is built for ChordPro — editable charts, transpose, and band workflows rather than annotated PDFs.
How Songbook Buddy compares
Conditional positioning against well-known apps. Choose another product when its focus matches your workflow; choose Songbook Buddy when you need the full ChordPro journey on your platforms.
| Aspect | SBB | fScore |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Complete ChordPro workflow — import, edit, publish, perform, collaborate | PDF sheet music library and performance on iPad |
| Platforms (typical) | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux (one codebase) | iPadOS (iPhone companion varies) |
| Offline-first | Yes — local database; sync optional | Yes — PDFs stored on device |
| ChordPro editor depth | Custom ChordPro parser, many directives, custom blocks | Annotation on PDFs, not ChordPro source |
| Band sharing & end-to-end encryption | Band Mode + per-band key, roles, invites | Setlist sharing; not encrypted band libraries |
| Live session leader/follower | Yes — scroll, playback, setlist, metronome sync | Not comparable — PDF page turning differs |
| Metronome / meter | Sample-accurate click; live sync; time signatures | Not the primary focus |
| MIDI & footswitch control | MIDI & USB foot pedals; network MIDI on macOS | Page-turn pedals; Bluetooth MIDI varies |
| Print / PDF | Print pipeline, PDF-oriented options | PDF-native performance on iPad |
| Cloud sync | Optional encrypted sync (Basic+); WLAN for audio/sheets | iCloud and similar for libraries |
| Localization | 23 interface languages + translated help + PDF manuals | Broad iPad market languages |
Competing products change continuously. This table describes typical positioning — choose another app when its focus matches your workflow; choose Songbook Buddy when you need the full ChordPro journey on your platforms.
Choose forScore for PDF sheet music on iPad. Choose Songbook Buddy when your material is ChordPro or text charts you edit and transpose.
Explore by Feature
Print & PDF
Print the current song or export PDF with independent chord-chart scaling.
Song Library
Local song library with search, filters, sorting, favourites, and archive.
Switching tips
- Convert or rewrite charts in ChordPro where possible — import accepts plain text and existing .pro files.
- Footswitch and page-turn workflows map to theater mode and USB foot-pedal settings.
- Cross-platform desktop helps when your team mixes iPad performers with Windows or Android musicians.