Big Screen vs Praisenter

Big Screen

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

Subscription
Free Trial

Praisenter

Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.

Open Source
Free

Summary

Big Screen is paid (AUD $15/month), while Praisenter is free.
Praisenter is open source (BSD-3-Clause); Big Screen is proprietary.
They share no platforms: Big Screen runs on Web browser and Praisenter on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Media: Video playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Big Screen

Runs on Web browser
Bible: Free translations included (partial in Praisenter)
Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages (partial in Praisenter)

Only in Praisenter

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	Praisenter
Overview
Price	AUD $15/monthFree trial	Free
Open source	No	Yes (BSD-3-Clause)
Deployment	Cloud / hosted	Desktop app
Status	active	active
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.	Supported: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics	Unknown	Supported: Lyrics can be pasted into the bulk editor, and text can be extracted from a PDF into it.
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources)	Unknown	Partial: Imports SongSelect files downloaded by the user (since 3.1.7); there is no online SongSelect connection.
Chord charts for musicians	Unknown	Unknown
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics	Supported: Looping background videos, including transparent overlay videos, with adjustable variations.	Supported: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background.
CCLI usage reporting	Unknown	Unknown
Bible	Supported	Partial
Free translations included	Supported: Public-domain translations such as KJV, ASV, WEB and BSB are included.	Partial: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported.
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	Unknown
PowerPoint	Unknown	Unknown
Keynote	Unknown	Unknown
Google Slides	Unknown	Unknown
Canva	Unknown	Unknown
PDF	Supported: Uploaded PDFs are converted to images.	Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions	Unknown	Unknown
Media	Supported	Supported
Video playback	Supported	Supported
Audio playback	Unknown	Supported
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.	Supported: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns.
On-screen messages & alerts	Unknown	Supported: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed.
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.	Partial: The interface ships in English only; users can add their own translation of the messages file.
Songs in other languages	Unknown	Supported
Bibles in other languages	Supported: Includes Spanish, Japanese, Thai, Khmer and Arabic translations.	Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen	Unknown	Supported: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template.
Bible translations side by side	Unknown	Supported: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide.
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: Each connected display can receive content independently.
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: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays.
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

Big Screen vs Praisenter

Summary

Only in Big Screen

Only in Praisenter

Side by side

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