SetBook vs Setlist Helper: Which Setlist App Should You Use?
Setlist Helper is a free, simple setlist builder. See how it compares to SetBook for musicians who want gig scheduling, band coordination, and pay tracking too.
By SetBook Team
Setlist Helper is a popular free option for building setlists — simple, lightweight, and easy to start with. 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 how Setlist Helper and SetBook compare.
Quick overview
Setlist Helper is a free (ad-supported) song catalog and setlist builder, with in-app purchases for extras. It has a low barrier to entry and a wide install base.
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 pay tracking — on web and mobile, $9.99/month with a free 2-week trial.
Feature comparison
| Feature | SetBook | Setlist Helper | |---|---|---| | Setlist builder | Drag-and-drop, shareable | Yes | | Chart library | Searchable: key, tempo, tags, links | Basic song catalog | | Per-gig key overrides | Yes | No | | Gig scheduling | Full: venue, call time, pay, notes | No | | Band invites + RSVP | Email/SMS/link, no guest account | No | | Pay tracking | Earnings dashboard + CSV export | No | | Calendar sync | Google + Apple Calendar | No | | On-stage view | Clean Stage View | Basic | | Ads | None | Ad-supported on the free tier | | Pricing | $9.99/mo, free 2-week trial | Free + in-app purchases |
Where Setlist Helper wins
Free to start. The free tier (with ads) is genuinely free, with no trial clock.
Simplicity. If all you need is a song catalog and a setlist, it's quick to pick up and nothing gets in the way.
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, and they RSVP without an account.
Pay tracking. See what you're owed, mark gigs paid, and export to CSV at tax time.
Calendar sync and web access. Your gigs sync to Google and Apple Calendar, and you can manage everything from the browser.
No ads, modern design. SetBook is a paid app, so there are no ads sitting between you and your setlist.
Who should use what?
Choose Setlist Helper if:
- You only need a basic song catalog and setlist
- You want a free option and don't mind ads
- 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, calendar sync, and web access
- You'd rather pay a little than work around ads
The bottom line
Setlist Helper is a fine free 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 — without ads getting in the way.
Ready to try SetBook? Start your free trial — free for two weeks, cancel anytime.