July 21, 2026

SetBook vs OnSong: The OnSong Alternative for the Whole Gig

Name: SetBook
Price: 6.99 USD
Author: SetBook

Looking for an OnSong alternative? OnSong is a powerful Apple-only chart app that stops at the setlist. See how SetBook compares — gig scheduling, band coordination, and pay tracking, on web or mobile.

By SetBook Team

OnSong is one of the best-known apps for musicians — a deep, refined tool for displaying charts and lyrics on stage. If you've searched for a setlist or chart app, you've seen it.

But OnSong solves one part of gigging: the performance. It doesn't help you schedule the gig, coordinate your band, or track what you get paid. If you're searching for an OnSong alternative — because you've left the Apple ecosystem, your band needs shared access, or you want the rest of the gig handled too — here's how OnSong and SetBook compare, and which one fits how you actually work.

Quick overview

OnSong is an Apple-only powerhouse for on-stage performance — chord charts, PDF display, auto-scroll, MIDI and DMX control. It's been refined for years and has a large, loyal following.

SetBook is an all-in-one platform for the whole gig: a searchable chart library, setlists that adapt per gig, scheduling, band invites and RSVPs, calendar sync, and pay tracking — on web and mobile.

Feature comparison

Feature	SetBook	OnSong
Chord chart library	Searchable: key, tempo, tags, links	Deep: PDF/file import, MIDI
Per-gig key overrides	Yes — without touching the master chart	No
Setlist builder	Drag-and-drop, shareable	Yes
On-stage display	Clean Stage View	Powerful, with auto-scroll + foot pedals
MIDI / DMX control	No	Yes — a core strength
Gig scheduling	Full: venue, call time, pay, notes	No
Band invites + RSVP	Email/SMS/link, no account for guests	No
Pay tracking	Earnings dashboard + CSV export	No
Calendar sync	Google + Apple Calendar	No
Platforms	Web and mobile	Apple only
Pricing	$9.99/mo on the web ($11.95/mo via in-app purchase on iOS), free 2-week trial	Free download + subscription tiers

Where OnSong wins

On-stage depth. MIDI patch changes, DMX lighting, backing-track triggers, foot-pedal auto-scroll — if your show runs on automation, OnSong is hard to beat.

Years of refinement. 50+ features and a huge community make it a mature, trusted performance tool.

Chart import. Strong PDF and file import, plus integrations like Dropbox, SongSelect, and Planning Center.

Where SetBook wins

The whole gig, not just the setlist. SetBook manages a gig end to end — schedule it, set the call time and pay, attach the setlist, and invite your band, all in one place.

Per-gig key overrides. Play "Wagon Wheel" in B-flat for one bride and in G for the next — override the key for that gig without changing your master chart. OnSong has no equivalent.

Band coordination. Invite bandmates by email, SMS, or link, and they RSVP without creating an account. Assign roles and see who's available.

Pay tracking. Know what you're owed, what's been paid, and export to CSV at tax time.

Works on web and mobile. Manage everything from your laptop at home and pull it up on your phone at the gig. OnSong is Apple-only — no web app, and nothing for non-Apple devices.

Calendar sync. Your gigs land in Google or Apple Calendar automatically.

Who should use what?

Choose OnSong if:

Your show depends on MIDI, DMX, or backing-track automation
You want foot-pedal auto-scroll for lyrics on stage
You're all-in on Apple devices and just need a performance and chart tool

Choose SetBook if:

You want to manage the whole gig — scheduling, invites, RSVPs, pay — not just the setlist
You play with a rotating cast of bandmates and need to coordinate them
You want per-gig key changes without rebuilding charts
You want to work from the web, on any device
You want to track what you get paid

The bottom line

OnSong is a fantastic on-stage tool. If MIDI, DMX, and auto-scroll are central to your show and you live in the Apple ecosystem, it's a strong pick.

SetBook is the better fit if gigging is more than the time on stage — if you're scheduling shows, herding bandmates, and chasing payments, and you want one place, on web and mobile, to run all of it.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best OnSong alternative? It depends on what's sending you looking. If you want a chart viewer that isn't Apple-only, options like Songbook Pro or MobileSheets cover the on-stage basics. If the real problem is that your gigging life needs more than a chart display — scheduling, band coordination, shared setlists, pay tracking — SetBook is built as that kind of alternative: the whole gig in one place instead of a deeper chart viewer.

Is there an OnSong alternative for Android or the web? Yes — this is the most common reason people switch. OnSong has no web app and nothing for non-Apple devices. SetBook works in any browser today (any laptop, Chromebook, or Android device), with a native Android app coming soon.

Can my band use SetBook without everyone buying it? Yes. Bandmates you invite to a gig can view the details and RSVP without creating an account, and band plans share charts and setlists across the group — unlike OnSong, where sharing is built around a single performer's library.