Works offline from day one
Your library lives in a local database on your device. Explore offline first — encrypted device sync needs Basic+ and a signed-in account.
Start with your own songs — no steep learning curve
If you are new to digital songbooks or ChordPro, you need software that stays out of the way. Songbook Buddy keeps your library on your device, works without an account, and walks you through the basics with a getting-started checklist and guided tours.
You are not locked into a tab catalog. You bring your own files — or create songs from scratch — and the app renders chords and lyrics cleanly.
Why Songbook Buddy fits Beginners
Guided onboarding
A beginner tour, getting-started checklist, and one-time tips introduce library, editor, and performance basics without reading a manual first.
ChordPro made readable
Type chords in brackets like [C] and the preview aligns them automatically — no fighting with word-processor layouts.
Features that matter for you
Starter, Basic, Pro, and Pro Cloud from our documented product matrix.
| Feature | Starter | Basic | Pro | Pro Cloud | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song library, search, filters, sorting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Starter capped at 100 songs (archived count; trash does not). Basic+ unlimited. Arrival paths (shares, .sbbl import) are exempt from the cap |
| ChordPro editor with live preview | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Custom block viewing is free; inserting custom blocks via the editor menu is Pro |
| Transpose, capo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Getting-started checklist & guided tours | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Chord diagrams (guitar / ukulele / piano) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Import ChordPro, text, .gcp, .cpm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ChordPro export stays free at every tier |
| Import organizer setlists (.sbbl) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free at every tier. Starter may view/delete imported setlists; create/modify stays Basic. Setlists tab appears after first import |
| 23 interface languages + translated help + PDF manuals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Complete ChordPro workflow — import, edit, publish, perform, collaborate | iPad setlist and chord-sheet performance | ChordPro songbook — editing and display (Android, iOS, Windows) | Sheet-music / ChordPro library and performance (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS) | Band calendar, setlists, and gig logistics | PDF sheet music library and performance on iPad | Online tab catalog and play-along | Chord charts + backing tracks, jazz/standards |
| 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 |
| ChordPro editor depth | Custom ChordPro parser, many directives, custom blocks | Strong iPad performance layout | Established ChordPro editing across its platforms | Established library and chart editing across its platforms | Not a ChordPro authoring tool | Annotation on PDFs, not ChordPro source | No full editor for your song library | Not ChordPro-centric |
| Platforms (typical) | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux (one codebase) | iOS/iPadOS (macOS Catalyst varies) | Android, iOS, Windows | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | iOS/iPadOS + web companion | iPadOS (iPhone companion varies) | Strong mobile + web; desktop varies | iOS/Android; desktop more limited |
| Localization | 23 interface languages + translated help + PDF manuals | Broad on iOS | Multilingual varies by version | Multilingual varies by version | English-first; band markets global | Broad iPad market languages | Very broad | 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.
Where Songbook Buddy fits best
- Starter library (100 songs), editor, transpose, chord diagrams, and free .sbbl setlist import — enough to evaluate before you unlock Basic
- Same app on phone and desktop so you are not learning two different tools
- 23 interface languages with translated in-app help if English is not your first language
When another app fits better
- OnSong fits iPad-only teams already committed to that workflow. Songbook Buddy fits your own songs on phone and desktop.
- Ultimate Guitar fits browsing public tabs. Songbook Buddy fits building, organizing, and performing your own library.
Ready to try it?
Download Songbook Buddy Starter free — no account required for the core editor and library.