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Big Screen vs OpenSong

Big Screen logo
Big Screen

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

  • Subscription
  • Free Trial
OpenSong logo
OpenSong

Free, open-source tool for managing lyrics, chords and lead sheets and projecting them.

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained

Summary

  • Big Screen is paid (AUD $15/month), while OpenSong is free.
  • OpenSong is open source (GPL-2.0-only); Big Screen is proprietary.
  • They share no platforms: Big Screen runs on Web browser and OpenSong on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Note: OpenSong is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Images · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Big Screen

  • Runs on Web browser
  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in OpenSong)
  • Media: Video playback (partial in OpenSong)

Only in OpenSong

  • Runs on Windows
  • Runs on macOS
  • Runs on Linux

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 logo Big Screen OpenSong logo OpenSong
Overview
Price AUD $15/monthFree trialFree
Open source NoYes (GPL-2.0-only)
Deployment Cloud / hostedDesktop app
Status activemaintenance
Platforms
Windows Not supported Supported
macOS Not supported Supported
Linux Not supported 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 Supported: Lyrics found online can be pasted into a song using OpenSong's chord/lyric text format.
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Unknown Not supported: The built-in CCLI SongSelect import has been disabled because it broke; CCLI exports can be converted with the separate OpenSong Import Utility.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: Chords transpose automatically, and lead sheets can print regular and capo chords together.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported: Looping background videos, including transparent overlay videos, with adjustable variations. Partial: Backgrounds are colours or images; a video background is only possible through a VideoLAN overlay preset (Windows).
CCLI usage reporting Unknown Partial: Presented songs are logged with their CCLI numbers in an activity log; there is no direct CCLI submission.
Bible Supported Supported
Free translations included Supported: Public-domain translations such as KJV, ASV, WEB and BSB are included. Supported: The KJV is included; other Bibles must be converted to OpenSong's own format (several are offered on the downloads page).
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. Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Unknown Supported: Drives an installed PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress with live preview, or imports slides as image snapshots.
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: Animations only play when OpenSong drives PowerPoint or Impress directly; imported snapshots are static.
Media Supported Supported
Video playback Supported Partial: Video is played via an external VideoLAN (VLC) player launched from a slide.
Audio playback Unknown Partial: Audio clips are played through the external VideoLAN (VLC) player.
Images Supported Supported
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. Unknown
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 Supported: Alerts can be shown over the presentation, including via the API.
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. Supported: The interface is available in about 20 languages.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Supported: Includes Spanish, Japanese, Thai, Khmer and Arabic translations. Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen Unknown Supported: Bilingual songs can render the second language in a different style.
Bible translations side by side Unknown Unknown
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 Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown Supported: REST and WebSocket API for remote control and integrations.
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 Unknown
Multiple audience screens Supported: Unlimited Frontend and Monitor outputs plus custom outputs. Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Supported: Theme backgrounds can be transparent for use as an overlay in streaming software such as OBS. Unknown
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: NDI output is supported (disabled by default in recent builds).
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. Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown Unknown
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 Unknown

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