The tools, side by side
Facts only, from each vendor's public page as read on 27 September 2026. Names are used only to describe the products. Showorder is not affiliated with any dance studio software company, dance teachers association, music examination board or competition organiser.
| Tool | What it is | Price | Account | Runs on | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShowSort | Web show order optimiser for recitals, single and multi show | US$2.49 per routine to activate a show; US$2.49 per added routine and US$0.99 per added appearance after that | Yes | Web browser | Free preview on your own data with the optimised order hidden; a full demo on a sample recital |
| RecitalReady | Studio recital suite with Smart Show Order, show assignments and a costume change cushion warning | US$529 per year | Yes | Web browser | None stated on the home page |
| My Recital Planner | Recital planner with show order, pins, level gaps and a quick change report | US$75 per season | Yes | Web browser | Trial whose reports are previews |
| RCM AutoSeq | Show order sequencer that runs as an Excel workbook | US$39.95 one time, upgrades included | No | Desktop Microsoft Excel on Windows or Mac; not Excel for the web or Numbers | Demo download |
| Jackrabbit Dance Recital Module | Recital order generator inside a studio management system | Not listed on the article; available to current customers, sales contact for others | Yes, a studio account | Web browser | None for non customers |
| Showorder | Browser running order planner with a show split, pins, printouts and a quick change report | Free up to 15 routines; paid plans priced at checkout | No | Any modern browser; names stay on the device | Solver up to 15 routines, and the order check at any size |
Worked example: a 60 routine recital
Take a mid sized studio with 60 routines in one show. At the prices read on 27 September 2026:
- ShowSort: 60 x US$2.49 = US$149.40 for one show.
- RecitalReady: US$529 a year, whatever the size.
- My Recital Planner: US$75 a season, whatever the size.
- RCM AutoSeq: US$39.95 once.
- Jackrabbit Dance Recital Module: Part of a studio management subscription.
Per routine pricing is cheap for a small showcase and the most expensive option for a big recital; a second show adds a charge per new appearance. Yearly and seasonal prices do not depend on size but usually come with an account and a studio setup. The one time spreadsheet is cheapest over years, but it needs desktop Excel: its requirements page rules out Excel for the web and Numbers.
How to choose
- Already on a studio management system? Check whether its recital module orders shows; one major system added a generator for its customers in August 2026.
- One recital a year, many routines? Compare per routine totals against a season price.
- Children's names and a school or studio policy? Prefer a tool that does not upload the roster, or check where each vendor stores it.
- Want to try before paying? Note what each free option shows: a hidden order, a sample recital or a trial with preview reports are different things.
Whatever you use, the method is the same; the no quick changes guide walks through it with a worked example.
Common mistakes
- Comparing list prices without the show size. Work the total for your routine count and your number of shows.
- Assuming a preview is the product. A free preview that hides the optimised order tells you the tool works, not what order it gives you.
- Forgetting where the roster goes. A cloud account stores dancer names on someone's server. That may be fine; decide it on purpose.
- Trusting a price from last season. Check the vendor page on the day you buy.