GigPenguin vs Back On Stage

The short answer: Back On Stage runs an event band as a business: leads, contracts, invoices, booking the musicians and paying them. GigPenguin does one slice of that, getting the gig sheet to every band member and the answers back to you, with less to set up and nothing for your band members to log in to. If you want the whole business in one place, look at Back On Stage. If the business side is handled and the band side is the mess, try GigPenguin.

At a glance

Where Back On Stage is the better choice

Back On Stage covers a lot. Leads come in through a form and get follow-ups, clients sign contracts and pay invoices online, set lists and charts are shared by role, and musicians are paid through PayPal. Its Auto-Book feature can work down a call list of musicians for a gig, checking for conflicts before it sends offers. If you run a wedding or corporate band as a business and want one system from enquiry to payout, it does far more than GigPenguin.

Where GigPenguin is the better choice

• Nothing for band members to log in to. They get a text or email and tap a link. That matters most with subs and freelancers you only hire now and then.
• You see who's read what. Whether the sheet arrived, when it was opened, and whether they've seen the latest version.
• Changes are acknowledged, not just sent. Everyone gets a notice that says what changed, old to new, with a Got it button. You see who tapped it and who's still on the old plan.
• Less to set up. Add your band, add your band members, write the first sheet. Most leaders send their first one in about ten minutes.
• Texts are included, and they never go out overnight.

Which should you pick?

If you're looking for one system to run the business, Back On Stage is the stronger product and worth its trial. If you already have contracts and invoicing sorted (or don't need them), and what costs you time is chasing your band for answers and making sure everyone knows the plan, GigPenguin does that one job with less overhead, for you and for them.

Pricing

Back On Stage has three plans: Starter at $19 a month billed yearly ($29 monthly), Pro at $40 ($49 monthly) and Agency at $63 ($79 monthly), with more admin seats on the higher plans. Band members are free. Texts are about $0.025 each. There's a 30-day trial and a 90-day money-back guarantee. Your first 3 gigs are free, no card needed. After that it's $29 a month or $290 a year for every band you lead, and band members never pay.

What we say about Back On Stage comes from its own website (www.backonstageapp.com/), checked on October 11, 2026. Prices and features change; check theirs before you decide. Spotted something out of date? Email support@gigpenguin.com and we'll fix it.