Big Screen vs MediaShout

Big Screen

Browser-based church presentation software with themes, timers and unlimited outputs.

Subscription
Free Trial

MediaShout

Church presentation software sold mainly as a one-time site licence.

Subscription
One-time
Free Trial

Summary

Big Screen is paid (AUD $15/month), while MediaShout is paid ($599 one-time (Windows site licence)).
They share no platforms: Big Screen runs on Web browser and MediaShout on Windows and macOS.
Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Video playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Live camera / capture card · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Screens & outputs: Stage display / confidence monitor · Screens & outputs: Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming.

Only in Big Screen

Runs on Web browser
Connectivity & collaboration: Web native (runs in a browser)

Only in MediaShout

Runs on Windows
Runs on macOS
Bible: Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) (paid add-on in Big Screen)

Based on confirmed data only. Unknown values are not counted.

Side by side

Supported Supported
Partial Partial
Paid add-on or tier Paid add-on / tier
Not supported Not supported
Unknown Unknown
* Hover or tap for note

Product	Big Screen	MediaShout
Overview
Price	AUD $15/monthFree trial	$599 one-time (Windows site licence)Free trial
Open source	No	No
Deployment	Cloud / hosted	Desktop app
Status	active	active
Platforms
Windows	Not supported	Supported
macOS	Not supported	Supported
Linux	Not supported	Not supported
Web browser	Supported	Not supported
iOS / iPadOS	Not supported	Not supported
Android	Not supported	Not supported
ChromeOS	Not supported	Not supported
Content
Songs & lyrics	Supported	Supported
Song library	Supported	Supported
Import from other presentation software	Supported: Songs can be imported from OpenSong and OpenLyrics files; an Elvanto/Tithe.ly integration also imports songs.	Unknown
Paste or import plain-text lyrics	Unknown	Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources)	Unknown	Supported: Lyrics can be imported through the CCLI SongSelect integration.
Chord charts for musicians	Unknown	Unknown
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics	Supported: Looping background videos, including transparent overlay videos, with adjustable variations.	Supported: Motion backgrounds are available, with Shift Worship Media included in the Complete bundle.
CCLI usage reporting	Unknown	Supported: Songs used are reported to CCLI automatically; listed for the Windows version.
Bible	Supported	Supported
Free translations included	Supported: Public-domain translations such as KJV, ASV, WEB and BSB are included.	Supported: About 70 translations, including public-domain and copyrighted versions, are included with the licence.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.)	Paid add-on or tier: Translations such as ESV, NASB, NKJV and NLT require a one-time purchase of AUD $10 each.	Supported: Copyrighted translations are among the 70 included at no additional cost.
Slides & presentations	Supported	Supported
PowerPoint	Unknown	Supported: PowerPoint slides can be imported as images or as editable MediaShout cues.
Keynote	Unknown	Unknown
Google Slides	Unknown	Unknown
Canva	Unknown	Unknown
PDF	Supported: Uploaded PDFs are converted to images.	Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions	Unknown	Partial: MediaShout's own slides support text animations and transitions; it is not stated that imported PowerPoint animations are kept.
Media	Supported	Supported
Video playback	Supported	Supported
Audio playback	Unknown	Supported
Images	Supported	Supported: Unsplash and Pixabay images and videos can be searched and inserted from within the software.
YouTube / online video	Supported: YouTube videos can be added to the playlist and controlled like other videos, with optional English captions.	Unknown
Inputs & other sources	Supported	Supported
Live camera / capture card	Supported: Phones, tablets, webcams or other network devices can be used as live video sources.	Supported: Live video feeds (cameras, phones, other apps) via NDI.
Screen sharing	Unknown	Unknown
Web pages	Unknown	Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks	Supported: Countdown and count-up timers and a clock on the monitor display.	Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts	Unknown	Unknown
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along)	Unknown	Unknown
Languages
Multilingual	Supported	Supported
Interface in multiple languages	Supported: The interface language can be chosen per organisation and location.	Unknown
Songs in other languages	Unknown	Unknown
Bibles in other languages	Supported: Includes Spanish, Japanese, Thai, Khmer and Arabic translations.	Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen	Unknown	Unknown
Bible translations side by side	Unknown	Supported: Dual Bible display can show two translations or languages on screen.
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts	Supported: Lyrics and scriptures support right-to-left languages.	Unknown
Integrations
Software integrations	Unknown	Unknown
Planning Center	Unknown	Unknown
ChurchSuite	Unknown	Unknown
WorshipTools Planning	Unknown	Unknown
Hardware control	Unknown	Unknown
MIDI	Unknown	Unknown
DMX lighting	Unknown	Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion	Unknown	Unknown
Automation & extensibility	Unknown	Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket)	Unknown	Unknown
Plugins / extensions	Unknown	Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros	Unknown	Unknown
Webhooks / triggers to other systems	Unknown	Unknown
MCP server for AI assistants	Unknown	Unknown
AI features (e.g. verse detection, lyric formatting)	Unknown	Unknown
Presenting & control
Screens & outputs	Supported	Supported
Multiple audience screens	Supported: Unlimited Frontend and Monitor outputs plus custom outputs.	Supported: Control screen, main display and an optional third output for stage/confidence or livestream.
Stage display / confidence monitor	Supported	Supported: Not included in the LE edition.
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming	Supported: Theme backgrounds can be transparent for use as an overlay in streaming software such as OBS.	Supported: Lower-third templates are included.
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source)	Supported: Remote Displays let other computers and devices show outputs in a browser, including as an OBS source.	Unknown
Broadcast video	Unknown	Supported
NDI	Unknown	Supported: Since version 7.4, NDI feeds can be shown in presentations and outputs can be sent over NDI.
SDI	Unknown	Unknown
Built-in streaming & recording	Unknown	Unknown
Stream to any RTMP destination	Unknown	Unknown
YouTube Live	Unknown	Unknown
Facebook Live	Unknown	Unknown
Record the output to a file	Unknown	Unknown
TV output	Unknown	Unknown
Apple TV app	Unknown	Unknown
Android / Google TV app	Unknown	Unknown
Fire TV app	Unknown	Unknown
Roku app	Unknown	Unknown
Chromecast / AirPlay	Unknown	Unknown
Connectivity & collaboration	Supported	Supported
Cloud sync of library	Supported: Lyrics, videos and images are stored online and can be shared between locations within one organisation.	Unknown
Works fully offline	Supported: Continues working with no internet connection; a Cache Client can serve local media.	Unknown
Remote control from phone or tablet	Unknown	Supported: MediaShout Remote app for iOS (added in 7.3); standard USB presentation remotes also work.
Multiple operators at once	Partial: Several control surfaces can be open for a location, but only one controls the remote displays at a time.	Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser)	Supported	Not supported

Big Screen vs MediaShout

Summary

Only in Big Screen

Only in MediaShout

Side by side

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