Music Planner vs BandHelper
Both are band apps priced per band, with setlists, charts and gig invites. BandHelper adds stage automation and band finances on top. Music Planner keeps to planning, charts, practice and the stage, and adds AI stem splitting.
BandHelper, in short
A deep band management app, around since 2013, on the web, iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac. Setlists, charts, MIDI and lighting automation, backing tracks, and on its higher tiers, events, contacts, finances and invoices. Priced per band by size.
Music Planner, in short
A band app for setlists, chord charts, AI stem splitting and a stage view, on the web, iPhone, iPad and Android. Positions, invites and a calendar feed on every plan, and a key-aware chord chart editor. Free for your first band.
Free for your first band. No credit card.
| Feature | Music Planner | BandHelper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
Free plan | Up to 10 members | 30-day trial |
A band of 6 to 20 BandHelper's Basic, Plus and Pro tiers. Gig invites need Plus; finances need Pro. | $25/mo (up to 30) | $6, $9 or $12/mo |
Priced per band | ✓ | ✓ |
| Charts | ||
Chords in lyrics (ChordPro style) | ✓ | ✓ |
Transpose | ✓ | ✓ |
Capo | ✓ | Personal transpose |
Number charts | Nashville numbers | Roman numerals |
PDF and document attachments | PDF, Word, RTF, images | |
Auto-scroll | ✓ | ✓ |
| Setlists and scheduling | ||
Drag-and-drop setlists with breaks and durations | ✓ | ✓ |
Positions per gig (vocals, drums...) | ✓ | Pick members |
Invites with accept or decline | Every plan | Plus tier |
Reminders | Manual + automatic | Automatic re-sends |
Calendar feed | ✓ | Plus tier |
| Practice and stage | ||
Split any song into stems BandHelper plays audio files you attach; it doesn't separate a mixed recording. | ✓ | ✕ |
Practice with loop and pitch change | ✓ | ✓ |
Backing tracks and click on stage | ✕ | ✓ |
Leader shares screen or actions with the band | ✕ | ✓ |
Bluetooth foot switches Pedals that send arrow or Page Up / Page Down keys turn pages in LIVE in the browser, including Safari on iPad. Not yet in the iPhone and Android apps. | In the browser | ✓ |
MIDI control | ✕ | ✓ |
MIDI and OSC out for automation | ✕ | ✓ |
| Band business | ||
Income, expenses and invoices | ✕ | Pro tier |
Contacts and follow-ups | ✕ | Plus tier |
Stage plots and checklists | ✕ | Pro tier |
| Platforms | ||
Web, iPhone, iPad, Android | ✓ | ✓ |
Mac app | In the browser | ✓ |
BandHelper covers almost everything a working band touches, from MIDI automation to invoices and stage plots, and it has been refined since 2013. Music Planner does fewer things: planning the gig, writing charts, practising and reading charts on stage. Reviews on BandHelper's own site mention a steep learning curve; Music Planner aims to be something the whole band picks up on day one.
BandHelper is cheaper for most band sizes: a band of 6 to 20 pays $6 to $12 a month depending on the tier. Music Planner is free for up to 10 members and $25 a month for up to 30, with AI stem splitting included on every plan.
Music Planner splits any recording into vocals, drums, bass and more, so each player can solo their part or play along with everything else. BandHelper plays audio you attach, including up to 8 backing tracks at once, but doesn't create stems.
Music Planner plans each gig around positions: you need a drummer and two vocalists, you invite players to those slots, and a decline opens the slot for someone else. BandHelper sends event requests to the members you pick, with accept, maybe or decline, on its Plus tier.
BandHelper is a good tool. It's the better pick for some bands, and we'd rather you knew which.
You automate lighting, effects or backing tracks with MIDI or OSC
You want the band's money, invoices and contacts in the same app
You need a leader to share their screen with the whole band on stage
You want the lowest price for a large ensemble
You don't mind a learning curve in exchange for depth
You want stems of any song so everyone can learn their part
You plan gigs around positions and want to see who's filled each one
You want a chord chart editor that suggests chords in the song's key
You want invites and a calendar feed without a higher tier
You want something the whole band can use without training
Free for your first band, with no credit card. Keep BandHelper while you try it.
Start for free →Compare plans →Sources
BandHelper details were checked on October 25, 2026 against BandHelper's own website, help pages and app store listings. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide. BandHelper is a trademark of its owner, used here only to compare.
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Music Planner
Band collaboration made effortless. Upload songs, plan setlists, run the stage.
© 2026 Music Planner
Made with ♥ for bands by Osukā Creative