ChordPro Editor
Write and edit songs in ChordPro with live preview, undo/redo, templates, and find/replace.
Songbook Buddy vs iReal Pro
iReal Pro pairs chord charts with backing tracks. Songbook Buddy focuses on your own song archive, full ChordPro editor, theater mode, and band workflows.
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 | iReal |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Complete ChordPro workflow — import, edit, publish, perform, collaborate | Chord charts + backing tracks, jazz/standards |
| Platforms (typical) | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux (one codebase) | iOS/Android; desktop more limited |
| Offline-first | Yes — local database; sync optional | Offline possible; playback-centric |
| ChordPro editor depth | Custom ChordPro parser, many directives, custom blocks | Not ChordPro-centric |
| Band sharing & end-to-end encryption | Band Mode + per-band key, roles, invites | Set sharing possible; different emphasis |
| Live session leader/follower | Yes — scroll, playback, setlist, metronome sync | Different use case (playback) |
| Metronome / meter | Sample-accurate click; live sync; time signatures | Playback rather than metronome-only |
| MIDI & footswitch control | MIDI & USB foot pedals; network MIDI on macOS | MIDI/export varies by platform |
| Print / PDF | Print pipeline, PDF-oriented options | PDF/export workflow-dependent |
| Cloud sync | Optional encrypted sync (Basic+); WLAN for audio/sheets | Set sync/sharing |
| Localization | 23 interface languages + translated help + PDF manuals | Multilingual |
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 iReal Pro for jazz practice with generated accompaniment. Choose Songbook Buddy when you bring and perform your own charts.
Explore by Feature
Theater Mode
Distraction-free performance view with auto-scroll, wakelock, and setlist navigation.
Chord Diagrams
Guitar, ukulele, and piano shapes with soundfont audio and jazz alteration parsing.
Metronome
Sample-accurate click with time signatures, count-in, and tap-to-set tempo (beats per minute).
Switching tips
- Bring your own charts in ChordPro — Songbook Buddy focuses on owned material, not playback-style fake books.
- Use theater mode and autoscroll for performance; metronome and live sessions cover rehearsal alignment.
- Cross-platform desktop plus mobile helps when iReal's playback-centric workflow is not your main need.