SetBook vs OnSong: Which Is Better for Gigging Musicians?

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. 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, 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.

Ready to try SetBook? Start your free trial — free for two weeks, cancel anytime.