Encore

Requestology alternative

For bands, not DJs.

Requestology is built around DJ catalogs — millions of Spotify tracks, public queues, club-night flow. Encore is built around a band's setlist — 60 songs you can actually play, a hidden queue only you see, and a QR poster printed for the stage.

The quick take

Band requests and DJ requests are different problems.

A DJ's job is to find the right song for the moment from a library of millions. The request economy reflects that: fan opens Spotify-connected catalog, picks any song, pays to queue it. DJ mixes it in.

A band's job is to play a set of songs they've rehearsed. The request economy works differently: the setlist IS the menu. Fans pick from the 60 songs the band knows, pay a per-song price, land in a hidden queue.

Requestology is built for the DJ workflow. It can be bent to fit a band, but the UX assumes catalog access, public-queue visibility, and DJ-style mix management. Encore is built band-first — setlists, per-song pricing tiers, private queues, printable QRs — all the things band gigs actually need.

Feature-by-feature.

FeatureEncoreRequestology
Setlist-based requests (band workflow)Yes — enter 30–100 songs, fans pick from your menuPrimarily catalog-based (Spotify/Apple Music integration)
Catalog-based requests (DJ workflow)No — by design, this is a band toolYes — Spotify / Apple Music integration
Per-song pricing tiers ($5 / $10 / $20)Yes — set base, favorite, priority pricing per songUniform per-request pricing
Hidden queue (audience can't see it)Yes — private to artistOptional; often public-queue-first
Printable QR posterYes — letter-sized, 300 DPI, lamination-readyDigital-first; no print flow
Tipping + requests on same pageYes — side-by-side chipsVaries by plan
Wedding-specific featuresYes — requests-only mode, do-not-play enforcement, dance-floor windowsGeneric; geared toward DJs at weddings
Follower / email captureYes — auto show emails to listLimited
Auto-refund for unplayed requestsYes — automatic at 24 hoursVaries
Mobile DJ features (beatmatching, crossfade integration)NoCore feature
Free tierYes — 10% fee on transactionsLimited free tier
Platform fee on Pro5% ($8/mo)Varies by plan

Requestology is a solid platform for DJs. The comparison above is specifically for live bands — different workflow, different tool. As of April 2026.

When Requestology is the right tool

If you're a DJ, stop reading.

This isn't a “we're better than them” page. If you're a mobile DJ, club DJ, or wedding DJ running open-catalog requests, Requestology is purpose-built for your workflow. Use it. It handles Spotify integration, public queues, beatmatching flow, and all the things that matter for your gig.

Encore does not serve DJs well. The setlist-first model assumes 30–100 songs you know — which is the opposite of a DJ's 100,000-track library.

The question isn't “which is better.” It's “which matches how I work?”

Pick Requestology if:

  • You DJ with a Spotify or Apple Music catalog
  • You want fans to be able to request any song (not just your “menu”)
  • You're doing club nights / public-queue events
  • Your gigs rely on catalog-level variety

Pick Encore if:

  • You're a cover band, solo acoustic, wedding musician, or busker
  • Your “menu” is your rehearsed 60-song setlist
  • You want per-song pricing (base / favorite / priority)
  • You want a printable QR on the guitar case or table tent
  • You want the audience to see your website, not a public queue

Common questions.

Can I use Requestology as a band?

Yes, but the UX is DJ-oriented. You'll hand-build your setlist in a catalog-first interface. Encore is built for the band workflow from the ground up.

Can I use Encore as a DJ?

Not really. We don't integrate with Spotify/Apple Music catalogs. If you need to let fans request from millions of songs, you want Requestology.

What about a band that does both band sets and DJ sets?

Use Encore for band gigs (setlist-based), Requestology for DJ gigs (catalog-based). Two tools, two workflows. Most musicians only do one or the other — if you do both, you're exceptional.

Does Encore or Requestology have more users?

Requestology has been around longer and has a larger user base overall, heavily DJ-weighted. Encore is newer (launched 2026) and growing fastest in the band segment.

Which has lower fees?

Fees are roughly comparable — both stack on Stripe and add a platform fee. The real question is which platform's flow fits your gig; the difference in take-home from fees is marginal compared to the difference in revenue you'll actually generate.

For the set you actually play.

Free to start. Your setlist as a QR in five minutes.