CantoBase vs Studio Helper
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CantoBase is the right choice if you're a solo music teacher or a 1-3 teacher studio, you want a modern stack and parent practice portal, and you want make-up and cancellation policy enforced automatically. Studio Helper is the right choice if you run a multi-teacher studio that's been operating for years on Studio Helper, the invoicing depth matters more than parent portal or practice tracking, and you'd rather not switch a working setup. Studio Helper has been around longer and is mentioned in industry roundups for strong invoicing; CantoBase is newer and built around the parent-engagement loop Studio Helper doesn't have.
Choose CantoBase if
- You're solo or a 1-3 teacher studio.
- You want a parent practice portal with push notifications.
- You want cancellation + make-up auto-enforcement.
- You want a modern UI and same-afternoon onboarding.
Choose Studio Helper if
- You're already on Studio Helper and it works.
- You're a multi-teacher studio (4+) and need depth.
- You weight invoicing depth above parent engagement.
How do CantoBase and Studio Helper compare feature-by-feature?
| Feature | CantoBase | Studio Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Parent practice portal | Yes | Partial Family access exists; not practice-focused. |
| Make-up + cancellation policy auto-enforcement | Yes Late cancel triggers the charge automatically. Make-up requests honor your rules. | No |
| Web Push practice notifications | Yes Native browser push, no carrier cost, rich media. | No |
| Invoicing depth | Yes | Yes A historical strength of the platform. |
| Multi-teacher | Partial 1-3 teachers. | Yes |
| Modern stack / UI | Yes SvelteKit + Convex, shipped 2026. | Partial Older platform UX. |
| Per-session billing | Yes | Partial |
| Stripe Connect direct payout | Yes Teacher owns the Stripe account. No marketplace skim. | Partial |
How does pricing compare?
| Tier | CantoBase | Studio Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 30 days, no CC | Available |
| Solo | $15/mo, up to 30 students | Pricing on request / tiered |
| Multi-teacher | $29/mo, unlimited students (+$5/seat for extra teachers) | Pricing on request / tiered |
See full CantoBase pricing. Studio Helper pricing verified from www.studiohelper.com as of May 20, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Studio Helper still maintained?
Yes. Studio Helper is an established player. The platform isn't as actively iterated as newer entrants, which can be a plus (stability) or a minus (no parent portal, no practice tracking) depending on what you need.
Does Studio Helper have a parent portal?
Studio Helper has family access for invoices and basic info; it doesn't have a practice-focused parent portal in the CantoBase sense (assignments, practice log, push notifications).
Which is cheaper, CantoBase or Studio Helper?
Studio Helper pricing is typically quote-based or tiered by student count and isn't transparently public. CantoBase is $15/mo Starter and $29/mo Studio, listed publicly. For a solo or small studio, CantoBase is almost certainly cheaper.
Can I migrate from Studio Helper to CantoBase?
Yes. CSV export of students and contacts from Studio Helper, then import into CantoBase. Invoice history doesn't migrate cleanly; new invoicing starts on day one.
Which is better for invoicing?
Studio Helper has historically been noted for invoicing depth. CantoBase covers monthly, per-session, annual, one-time, and manual invoicing with Stripe Connect direct payout. For most solo studios, CantoBase invoicing is sufficient. For multi-teacher invoicing complexity (per-teacher payouts, complex tax handling), Studio Helper may have an edge.
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