All Songbook Buddy features
The full product matrix from our documented feature catalogue.
| Feature | Starter | Basic | Pro | Pro Cloud | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song library, search, filters, sorting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Starter capped at 100 songs (archived count; trash does not), including .sbbl setlist import. Basic+ unlimited. Receiving shared songs and sync/band snapshots stay exempt |
| ChordPro editor with live preview | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Custom block viewing is free; inserting custom blocks via the editor menu is Pro |
| Transpose, capo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Chord diagrams (guitar / ukulele / piano) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Instrument tuner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Song ratings (stars) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Import ChordPro, text, .gcp, .cpm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ChordPro export stays free at every tier |
| Import PDF / Word / ODT / image sheet songs | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Starter imports ChordPro and text only |
| Import organizer setlists (.sbbl) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free at every tier, but new songs count toward the Starter 100-song cap (identical songs merge for free). Over-cap imports offer the first N that fit or cancel. Starter may view/delete; create/modify stays Basic |
| Create and edit personal setlists | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Drag-and-drop, per-entry key. Setlist filter is free once you have setlists (Starter after import) |
| Backup and restore | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Full library at every tier |
| 23 interface languages + translated help + PDF manuals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| In-app help + PDF manuals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Getting-started checklist & guided tours | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Print and PDF export (single songs) | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic+ |
| Tags with multi-tag filter | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Metronome & tempo tap | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Sample-accurate |
| Chord flashcards with difficulty levels | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Autoscroll | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Included in Starter alongside song viewing and performance basics |
| Chord Finder, Related Chords & substitutions | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Find chord (Reverse Chord Finder), Related Chords, interactive finder, and substitutions — Basic+ |
| Linked audio playback | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Practice along with backing tracks |
| LAN/WLAN sync for audio & sheet files | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Local Wi-Fi only — no cloud for the file itself |
| Optional encrypted device sync | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Needs signed-in account + Basic+. Device caps: Basic 2 / Pro 5 / Pro Cloud 100. Starter is local-only |
| Theater mode & external display | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Stage and rehearsal workflows; autoscroll itself is Starter |
| Setlist PDF songbook export | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Printable multi-song PDF — distinct from .sbbl data bundles |
| Setlist export (.sbbl bundle) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Portable zip for email/USB hand-off; recipients import free at any tier (produce=Pro / consume=free) |
| MIDI control (learn, duplicate, panic; network MIDI on macOS) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Network MIDI on macOS |
| Footswitch (USB foot pedals) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Sticky notes | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Workflow status | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Advanced chord tools (custom shapes, tunings, progressions) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Custom Chord Editor, Custom Tunings, Chord Progressions |
| Themes, fonts & section colors | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Light/dark mode itself is free; downloadable fonts and section colors are Pro |
| Stage lighting — DMX (Art-Net) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in; Art-Net node required (no USB-DMX) |
| Open Sound Control (OSC) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in toggle |
| Band Mode — shared library, roles, invites | — | — | — | ✓ | Unlimited bands and members; per-band end-to-end encryption |
| Band Live Sessions — leader/follower sync | — | — | — | ✓ | Part of Band Mode |
| Direct song/setlist sharing | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | Send needs Pro+; receiving shared songs is signed-in Starter+ (exempt from library cap) |
| Real-time cross-device sync | — | — | — | ✓ | Pro Cloud band/live infrastructure |
| Cloud sync of sheet attachments | — | — | — | ✓ | Pro Cloud sheets only (rolling out); linked audio never goes to the cloud — use WLAN sync (Basic+) |
| Device sync roster limits | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic 2 / Pro 5 / Pro Cloud 100 — enforced server-side |
Feature guides
Every documented capability with app screenshots — open a guide for details, related workflows, and honest market context. Tiers stack: each upgrade includes everything from the editions below it.