SetBook vs Setlist Helper: Which Setlist App Should You Use?
Setlist Helper is free to start with a one-time upgrade. Here's what it costs, what it does well, where it stops — and how it compares to SetBook in 2026.
By SetBook Team
Setlist Helper is a popular, simple way to build setlists — free to start and easy to pick up. If you just need a list of songs for the night, it does the job.
But if your gigging life involves more than a song list — coordinating a band, scheduling shows, tracking pay — you'll outgrow a basic setlist app fast. Here's what Setlist Helper costs, where it shines, and how it compares to SetBook.
Quick overview
Setlist Helper is a song catalog and setlist builder that works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and in a web browser.
- You can create an account and start building setlists for free.
- In the mobile apps, a one-time upgrade unlocks the full songbook and syncing across your devices. There's no subscription.
SetBook is an all-in-one platform: a chart library with per-gig key overrides, setlists, gig scheduling, band invites and RSVPs, calendar sync, and tracking what you're owed. It's $9.99/month on the web or $11.95/month via in-app purchase on iOS, and new accounts get 14 days of full access with no credit card.
How much does Setlist Helper cost?
- The web version and the iOS and Android apps are free to start.
- A one-time in-app upgrade unlocks the full songbook and sync. Setlist Helper says no subscription is required. Check the App Store or Google Play listing for the current upgrade price.
- For bands where each member has their own login, the developer now points to Band Central, which it calls "the next generation of Setlist Helper," built for groups.
Details from setlisthelper.com, checked October 12, 2026.
Setlist Helper review: the short version
What it does well:
- Free to start, with no trial clock
- No subscription, just a one-time upgrade
- Simple: a song catalog and setlists, without much to learn
- Works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web
Where it stops:
- It's a setlist tool, not a gig manager. There's no gig scheduling, RSVPs, or pay tracking.
- Sync is described as keeping your own devices in step. For bandmates who each have their own login, the developer points you to Band Central.
Who it's for: solo performers, or a band that works from one shared library and only needs the song order.
Feature comparison
| SetBook | Setlist Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Setlist builder | Drag-and-drop, set breaks, shareable | Yes |
| Song library | Chart library: key, tempo, tags, links | Song catalog (full songbook with upgrade) |
| Per-gig key overrides | Yes — the master chart stays put | — |
| Gig scheduling | Venue, call time, dress code, pay, notes | — |
| Band invites + RSVP | Email, SMS, or link — no account needed for guests | — |
| Getting paid | Earnings dashboard, overdue reminders, invoices, CSV export | — |
| Calendar sync | Google and Apple Calendar | — |
| Sync | Shared across your band | Across your own devices (upgrade) |
| Platforms | Web (any browser) and iOS | iPhone, iPad, Android, web |
| Pricing | $9.99/mo web · $11.95/mo iOS; 14-day trial, no card | Free to start + one-time upgrade |
"—" means the feature isn't listed on Setlist Helper's site.
Where Setlist Helper wins
Free to start, no subscription. You can start free and pay once if you want the upgrade.
Simplicity. If all you need is a song catalog and a setlist, it's quick to pick up and nothing gets in the way.
Native Android app. Setlist Helper has one; SetBook runs in Android browsers.
Where SetBook wins
More than a setlist. SetBook manages the whole gig — schedule it, set the call time and pay, attach the setlist, invite your band, and track RSVPs.
Per-gig key overrides. Change a song's key for one gig without editing your master chart.
Band coordination. Invite bandmates by email, SMS, or link. They RSVP without an account, and SetBook flags who's already booked elsewhere.
Getting paid. See what you're owed and what's overdue. Payments more than a week overdue get automatic reminders, and you can export to CSV at tax time.
Calendar sync. Your gigs sync to Google and Apple Calendar.
Who should use what?
Choose Setlist Helper if:
- You only need a song catalog and setlists
- You want to pay once instead of subscribing
- You don't need scheduling, pay tracking, or band coordination
Choose SetBook if:
- You want to manage the whole gig, not just the song order
- You play with a band and need to coordinate and pay people
- You want per-gig key changes and calendar sync
The bottom line
Setlist Helper is a good, simple tool if a song list is all you need. But gigging is rarely just the song list.
SetBook is the step up for working musicians who want their charts, setlists, gigs, band, and pay organized in one place, on web and mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Setlist Helper free? It's free to start on the web, iOS, and Android. A one-time in-app upgrade unlocks the full songbook and sync, with no subscription.
Does Setlist Helper work on Android? Yes — it has an Android app, plus iPhone, iPad, and web.
What's the difference between Setlist Helper and Band Central? The developer describes Band Central as the next generation of Setlist Helper, built for groups. It adds cloud sync, member management, per-member lyrics, and shared setlists for the whole band.