An OnSong alternative that isn't locked to Apple.
Songstead runs on every device your band already carries, keeps the whole group on one library that syncs itself, and does not cap the free plan. OnSong is Apple-only, and its free tier is a preview rather than a plan.
Free plan, no card, unlimited songs.
The short version.
Runs on everything your band owns.
One Songstead account covers iPhone, Android, and any web browser, so the drummer on a Pixel reads the same chart as everyone else. OnSong is Apple-only — no Android at all, and the browser only on its top tier.
Unlimited songs, free, and editable.
Songstead gives you unlimited songs and sets on the free plan, forever. OnSong stops at 30 songs and is view-only until you subscribe — transposition, autoscroll, and editing all cost extra.
Sharing that syncs itself, instantly.
Change a chart in Songstead and everyone in the group already has it, on whatever they are holding. Sharing in OnSong still means moving files between libraries and importing them on the other end, even on the Group plan.
Songstead vs. OnSong.
Everything either app puts behind a plan is marked with the plan it needs.
Songstead
OnSong
Unlimited songs on the free plan
30 songs, view only
iOS
Android
Web browser
Console, Premium plan
One account covers every device you play from
2 devices, 4 on Premium
Syncing without a Dropbox or OneDrive account of your own
OnSong Drive, paid plans
Transposition and capo
Essentials plan
Autoscroll
Essentials plan
Metronome
Premium plan
Shared band library with member permissions
Harmony plan
Group plan
Automatic Instant Sync
Import from other apps
MIDI automation
Premium plan
Annotations
Premium plan
What it costs.
Songstead's free plan isn't a trial, and the paid plans add features rather than room.
Songstead
Free: unlimited songs and sets, forever.
Paid: Backstage $2/mo · Harmony $1 per seat, per month.
One account covers web, iOS, and Android. Syncing is on by default and there is no card to start.
OnSong
Free: 30 songs, view only.
Paid: Essentials $29.99/yr or $3.99/mo · Premium $59.99/yr or $5.99/mo.
Transposition, autoscroll, and editing start at Essentials. MIDI, annotations, backing tracks, and the web console are Premium. Group plans are billed per user on top.
Bringing your library over.
Open the OnSong app, export a backup, and hand Songstead the .backup file. The importer reads it directly — every song, its key, its tempo, and your sets with their dates and running order still attached. Your .cho and .onsong files come across untouched.
Try a demo importQuestions.
Does Songstead run on Android?
Yes. One Songstead account covers iOS, Android, and any web browser, so everyone in the band is on the same library whatever they own. OnSong is Apple-only, so anyone on Android cannot open it at all.
Can Songstead import my OnSong library?
Yes. Hand it the .backup file OnSong exports and the import wizard shows you every song and set it found before it commits anything — keys, tempos, and set running orders included.
Is Songstead really free?
Yes. Unlimited songs and unlimited sets, with no trial counting down. OnSong stops at 30 songs and is view-only until you subscribe.
Does Songstead work with a foot pedal?
Yes. Songstead takes any Bluetooth foot pedal that sends arrow keys, so you move through a chart without picking the device up off the stand. OnSong only unlocks pedal support on its paid tiers.
Bring all of it here.
Free plan, no card, unlimited songs.