Best Setlist App for Musicians in 2026
Not all setlist apps are built the same. What works for a touring cover band is different from what works for a solo acoustic performer. Here's how to choose.
Best setlist apps for musicians: quick comparison
| App | Best for | Key strength | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setlistly | Gigging bands and musicians | Full performance system | Yes — unlimited songs |
| Bandhelper | MIDI/device integration rigs | Backing track and device control | Limited |
| OnSong | Chord chart display | Lead sheet rendering | Limited |
| Apple Notes | Ultra-simple solo use | Zero setup | Yes |
| Google Sheets | Custom catalog management | Full flexibility | Yes |
What every musician needs from a setlist app
Regardless of how you play or who you play with, there are five things every working musician needs from a setlist tool:
1. A reliable catalog Your full song list, accessible on any device, with enough metadata to actually be useful — at minimum: title, artist, key, duration.
2. Multiple setlists Bar gig vs. festival vs. private event vs. corporate function — these need different sets. Your app should support multiple saved setlists without confusion.
3. Runtime calculation You need to know how long your set runs before you're on stage. Manual math is for amateurs (no offense to amateurs).
4. Stage-ready view Whatever device you use on stage should show you your setlist clearly, without you having to fight the interface.
5. Show history Some record of what you played, where, and when — useful for booking agents, press, and your own planning.
For solo musicians and acoustic performers
Recommendation: Setlistly free plan
Solo performers often think they don't need a dedicated app — a notes app seems sufficient. The gap becomes obvious when:
- You start playing different venue types that need different sets
- Your catalog grows past 40–50 songs
- You want to track performance data and see what's landing
Setlistly's free plan (unlimited songs, Gig Mode, full song library) is built exactly for this use case. There's no reason to pay for a solo setup unless you want the Pro analytics features.
For gigging bands
Recommendation: Setlistly Pro
The shared library and real-time sync features are what separate a proper band setlist app from individual musician tools. Setlistly is the most focused option for bands that prioritize:
- Shared song catalog
- Setlist coordination across 2–5 members
- Performance analytics
- Automatic set length calculation
The per-band pricing model ($25/month or $250/year for the whole band) is genuinely fair compared to per-seat competitors.
For cover bands
Recommendation: Setlistly
Cover bands have unique challenges: large catalogs (often 100+ songs), event-specific set requirements, and frequent need to build custom sets quickly. Setlistly handles all of this:
- No song limits on free or Pro
- Build For Me generates a full set in one tap
- Sets can be cloned and adjusted per event type
- Crowd voting lets you add audience participation before the show
See Setlistly for cover bands →
For musicians who primarily use chord charts on stage
Recommendation: OnSong
If your primary use case is reading chord charts and lead sheets from a tablet on stage — and you need PDF rendering, custom transpositions, and touch-controlled display — OnSong is purpose-built for this.
Setlistly handles basic song notes, but it's not a chart display app. If chord chart rendering is your main need, OnSong is the right call. Many musicians use both: OnSong for charts, Setlistly for setlist management and band coordination.
For musicians with complex device rigs (MIDI, backing tracks)
Recommendation: Bandhelper
If you're triggering MIDI presets, controlling backing track playback, or running click tracks via setlist cues, Bandhelper's device integration features are unmatched. It's the right tool if device control is a core part of your performance setup.
For straightforward setlist management and band coordination, it's heavier than most bands need.
Setlistly feature breakdown for musicians
Song Library Every song with title, artist, key, tempo, duration, lyrics/chords notes, readiness status, and ratings. One library shared across all band members.
Setlist Builder Drag-and-drop ordering with automatic runtime calculation. Create multiple setlists for different contexts.
Build For Me Generates a setlist from your catalog based on song ratings, readiness, and play history. One tap to a solid starting point.
Remix Set Reorders an existing setlist for better energy flow. Useful mid-tour when you want to refresh the arc without rebuilding from scratch.
Give Me Ideas Song recommendations based on your band's existing catalog and style. Useful for cover bands expanding their repertoire.
Gig Mode Full-screen stage view. High contrast, large text, no distractions. Works on phone, tablet, or laptop.
Show Management Schedule gigs with venue details, load-in times, and booking contacts. Clone past shows to build new ones fast.
Analytics Song-level performance data over time: crowd ratings, play frequency, last played date. Highlights overplayed songs and crowd-pleasers due for a comeback.
Crowd Voting Share a voting link before the show. Fans vote on songs; data feeds into your setlist planning.
Getting started
Free plan gets you unlimited songs, 3 members, 5 shows, full Gig Mode, and the complete setlist builder — more than enough to evaluate whether it fits your workflow.
Related: Setlist App for Musicians · Best Setlist App for Bands · Setlist Maker