Encrypted band library
Only invited members decrypt band content. Roles (Owner / Admin / Member / Viewer) control who can publish or manage songs.
Follow the leader — keep your personal settings
As a band member you need shared charts without losing your personal setup. Songbook Buddy's Band Mode encrypts shared songs per band while your transpose, display, and playback preferences stay on your device.
In a Live Session, follow the leader's song, scroll position, playback phase, setlist cursor, and metronome — then rejoin if you drop off without restarting the show.
Why Songbook Buddy fits Band members
Live Session follower
Real-time sync of theater/tab view, transpose, scroll, playback, setlist position, count-in, and metronome tempo (beats per minute) plus time signature.
Personal overlay
Your transpose and display choices do not overwrite the shared chart other members see.
Features that matter for you
Starter, Basic, Pro, and Pro Cloud from our documented product matrix.
| Feature | Starter | Basic | Pro | Pro Cloud | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Optional encrypted device sync | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Needs signed-in account + Basic+. Device caps: Basic 2 / Pro 5 / Pro Cloud 100. Starter is local-only |
| Transpose, capo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Create and edit personal setlists | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Drag-and-drop, per-entry key. Setlist filter is free once you have setlists (Starter after import) |
| Metronome & tempo tap | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Sample-accurate |
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 | OnSong | SBP | MS | BH | fScore | UG | iReal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band sharing & end-to-end encryption | Band Mode + per-band key, roles, invites | Sharing/collaboration depends on ecosystem | Sharing varies by version/ecosystem | Sharing varies; not band-centric end-to-end encryption | Strong band/setlist sharing; different security model | Setlist sharing; not encrypted band libraries | Social/sharing around catalog | Set sharing possible; different emphasis |
| Live session leader/follower | Yes — scroll, playback, setlist, metronome sync | Live/link features vary by version | Not comparable as a core feature | Not comparable as a core feature | Real-time setlist sync for bands | Not comparable — PDF page turning differs | Not comparable | Different use case (playback) |
| Metronome / meter | Sample-accurate click; live sync; time signatures | Strong metronome/performance tools | Metronome varies by version | Metronome varies by version | Not the primary focus | Not the primary focus | Play-along; metronome secondary | Playback rather than metronome-only |
| Offline-first | Yes — local database; sync optional | Strong offline on device | Yes, local library | Yes, local library | Offline with sync for band data | Yes — PDFs stored on device | Offline often limited without downloads/premium | Offline possible; playback-centric |
| Cloud sync | Optional encrypted sync (Basic+); WLAN for audio/sheets | iCloud and similar depending on setup | Cloud varies by product | Cloud varies by product | Cloud sync central to band workflow | iCloud and similar for libraries | Account often required for catalog | Set sync/sharing |
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.
Where Songbook Buddy fits best
- Per-band end-to-end encryption — not just account-level sharing
- Sample-accurate metronome downbeat aligned across devices, corrected for network skew
- Use a spare device on the same account as a follower without fighting for leadership
When another app fits better
- OnSong fits teams standardized on iPad sharing. Songbook Buddy fits encrypted band libraries with personal transpose and display overlays.
- Tab catalogs and marketplaces serve discovery — Songbook Buddy serves charts your band prepares and performs.
Ready to try it?
Download Songbook Buddy Starter free — no account required for the core editor and library.