After C.H.A.R.M.S went dark in 2024, the landscape changed quickly. Here’s the current real-world ranking for band directors and booster clubs, and school districts who need one platform that actually works for everyone.
- FireSafe (firesafeband.app) – Clear #1 The only tool built from the ground up for the way modern programs actually operate.
- District supervisors get one login that can oversee every campus and every director without seeing every single receipt or uniform tag.
- Directors can run multiple programs (Band, Chorus, Orchestra) under the same account with completely separate calendars, rosters, inventories, and finances. No data crossover, ever. Ensemble rosters can also be created under each program.
- Clean inventory with imports, uniform tracking, library catalog, fundraiser dashboard, mass text/email, Google Calendar sync, and role-based permissions (admin, director, booster officer, parent, student).
- Pricing is straightforward and the lowest in the category: $39/mo or $390/year for a single program. A district plan of $399 a month allows unlimited schools/programs/directors.
- Note: Stripe payment integration for online registrations and fundraisers is actively in development and slated for release Q1 2026.
- CutTime – Solid #2 Absorbed C.H.A.R.M.S and Texas Music Forms, so most of the old data migrated over. Great for compliance forms, charter-bus manifests, and basic financials, but the interface still feels like three different apps glued together. Multi-campus oversight exists yet requires extra licensing tiers. Starts at $49/mo per program with annual contracts; enterprise/district pricing climbs fast.
- Booster Hub – #3 Booster-club focused with excellent volunteer sign-ups and simple online stores. Works fine for a single marching band or orchestra booster group, but lacks the granular inventory control and multi-program calendars most directors need. $59–$99/mo depending on features.
Honorable mentions: BandHub, MusicDirector, and free Google Workspace solutions cover basics but quickly hit walls once you have more than one ensemble or campus.
Bottom line: If you direct at multiple schools, oversee a district, or simply hate paying for three different logins to run band + orchestra + jazz, FireSafe is the only platform that feels like it was designed for you instead of around you. Try the 30-day free trial; most directors who switch never look back.