Big Screen vs Quelea

Big Screen

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

Subscription
Free Trial

Quelea

Free, open-source Java-based projection software for churches.

Open Source
Free
Unmaintained

Summary

Big Screen is paid (AUD $15/month), while Quelea is free.
Quelea is open source (GPL-3.0-or-later); Big Screen is proprietary.
They share no platforms: Big Screen runs on Web browser and Quelea on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Note: Quelea is no longer actively maintained.
Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Bible: Free translations included · Slides & presentations: PDF · Media: Video playback · Media: Images · Media: YouTube / online video · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Screens & outputs: Stage display / confidence monitor · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Big Screen

Runs on Web browser
Screens & outputs: Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) (partial in Quelea)

Only in Quelea

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	Quelea
Overview
Price	AUD $15/monthFree trial	Free
Open source	No	Yes (GPL-3.0-or-later)
Deployment	Cloud / hosted	Desktop app
Status	active	maintenance
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 from EasyWorship, ProPresenter, MediaShout, OpenLP, OpenSong, SongBeamer, VideoPsalm, ZionWorx, SongPro, Sunday Plus, EasySlides and more, plus Elvanto plans.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics	Unknown	Supported: Plain-text song files (with optional ChordPro chords) can be imported, and lyrics can be typed or pasted into the song editor.
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources)	Unknown	Partial: Imports downloaded SongSelect USR files; no direct online SongSelect connection.
Chord charts for musicians	Unknown	Supported: Songs can hold chord lines, which can be transposed, printed and shown on the stage view.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics	Supported: Looping background videos, including transparent overlay videos, with adjustable variations.	Supported: Themes can use a video as the background.
CCLI usage reporting	Unknown	Unknown
Bible	Supported	Supported
Free translations included	Supported: Public-domain translations such as KJV, ASV, WEB and BSB are included.	Supported: KJV, ASV, RSV and NET Bibles ship with Quelea; further Bibles use the Zefania XML format.
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: Displays PowerPoint and PDF files, optionally driving an installed PowerPoint on Windows.
Keynote	Unknown	Unknown
Google Slides	Unknown	Unknown
Canva	Unknown	Unknown
PDF	Supported: Uploaded PDFs are converted to images.	Supported
Plays slide animations & transitions	Unknown	Partial: Animations only play when Quelea is set to use an installed PowerPoint (Windows).
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.	Supported
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	Supported: Websites can be displayed, with documented limitations.
Countdown timers & clocks	Supported: Countdown and count-up timers and a clock on the monitor display.	Supported
On-screen messages & alerts	Unknown	Supported: Notices scroll across the projected display a set number of times.
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 translated into over 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: A song translation can be shown together with the default lyrics.
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	Supported
Planning Center	Unknown	Supported: Imports schedules from Planning Center Online.
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	Partial
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket)	Unknown	Partial: The Mobile Remote HTTP server exposes endpoints (next, previous, lyrics, schedule, search) but is not documented as a public API.
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.	Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor	Supported	Supported
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.	Partial: Mobile Lyrics shows the current lyrics as a web page on the local network.
Broadcast video	Unknown	Unknown
NDI	Unknown	Unknown
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	Supported: Web-based Mobile Remote and a Quelea Mobile Remote app.
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 Quelea

Summary

Only in Big Screen

Only in Quelea

Side by side

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