Service setlists
Build ordered sets with key overrides per song — useful when vocalists and instrumentalists need different keys from the same service list.
Service flow, shared charts, hands-free control
Worship teams need predictable service flow, readable charts on stage, and tight coordination between musicians. Songbook Buddy combines setlists, theater mode, footswitch support, and Band Live Sessions so a leader can drive song order, scroll, and tempo while vocalists and instrumentalists follow on their own screens.
Transpose per musician without changing the shared chart, print bulletins or chord sheets, and keep material encrypted within your team.
Why Songbook Buddy fits Worship teams
Hands-free on stage
USB foot pedals and MIDI page-turn mappings keep eyes on the congregation, not the screen.
Team sync
Band Live Sessions align scroll, playback, setlist position, and metronome downbeat across tablets and laptops.
Features that matter for you
Starter, Basic, Pro, and Pro Cloud from our documented product matrix.
| Feature | Starter | Basic | Pro | Pro Cloud | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create and edit personal setlists | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Drag-and-drop, per-entry key. Setlist filter is free once you have setlists (Starter after import) |
| Band Live Sessions — leader/follower sync | — | — | — | ✓ | Part of Band Mode |
| Footswitch (USB foot pedals) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Transpose, capo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Print and PDF export (single songs) | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic+ |
| Band Mode — shared library, roles, invites | — | — | — | ✓ | Unlimited bands and members; per-band end-to-end encryption |
| Metronome & tempo tap | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Sample-accurate |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| MIDI & footswitch control | MIDI & USB foot pedals; network MIDI on macOS | Established MIDI/footswitch on iPad | Foot-pedal support varies by device | Foot-pedal support varies | Limited compared to performance apps | Page-turn pedals; Bluetooth MIDI varies | Mostly play-along | MIDI/export varies by platform |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Print / PDF | Print pipeline, PDF-oriented options | Strong setlist export/layout | Print/export commonly available | Print/export commonly available | Setlist print/export for gigs | PDF-native performance on iPad | Export secondary | PDF/export workflow-dependent |
| 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 |
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
- Encrypted band libraries with invite-based membership — suited to rotating volunteer teams
- Desktop and mobile from one app — music directors can prep on a laptop, musicians follow on tablets
- 23 locales for multilingual congregations and international teams
When another app fits better
- OnSong fits worship teams already committed to iPad. Songbook Buddy fits mixed teams that need ChordPro charts, desktop prep, and encrypted sharing.
- Worship chart marketplaces help discovery — Songbook Buddy helps teams prepare, own, and perform their service material.
Ready to try it?
Download Songbook Buddy Starter free — no account required for the core editor and library.