Big Screen vs SongBeamer
Big Screen
Browser-based church presentation software with themes, timers and unlimited outputs.
- Subscription
- Free Trial
SongBeamer
German worship presentation software for songs, Bible texts and media, sold as a one-time licence.
- One-time
- Free Trial
Summary
- Big Screen is paid (AUD $15/month), while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
- They share no platforms: Big Screen runs on Web browser and SongBeamer on Windows and macOS.
- 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: Live camera / capture card · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Screens & outputs: Stage display / confidence monitor · Screens & outputs: Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.
Only in Big Screen
- Runs on Web browser
- Multilingual: Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts (partial in SongBeamer)
- Connectivity & collaboration: Web native (runs in a browser)
Only in SongBeamer
- Runs on Windows
- Runs on macOS
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
| SongBeamer |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | AUD $15/monthFree trial | €124 one-time (single computer)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. | Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV. |
| Paste or import plain-text lyrics | Unknown | Unknown |
| Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) | Unknown | Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates. |
| Chord charts for musicians | Unknown | Supported: Songs can be projected and printed with chords, with transposition. |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported: Looping background videos, including transparent overlay videos, with adjustable variations. | Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds. |
| CCLI usage reporting | Unknown | Supported: Optional automatic reporting to CCLI, added in version 6.0, available while entitled to updates; VG Musikedition reports can be exported too. |
| Bible | Supported | Supported |
| Free translations included | Supported: Public-domain translations such as KJV, ASV, WEB and BSB are included. | Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML. |
| 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. | Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each). |
| Slides & presentations | Supported | Supported |
| PowerPoint | Unknown | Supported: PowerPoint and LibreOffice files can be added to the schedule; requires PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer or LibreOffice. |
| Keynote | Unknown | Unknown |
| Google Slides | Unknown | Unknown |
| Canva | Unknown | Unknown |
| Supported: Uploaded PDFs are converted to images. | Supported | |
| 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. | Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time. |
| 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 from a camera or capture device can be shown behind text. |
| Screen sharing | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web pages | Unknown | Supported: Web pages can be added to the schedule and displayed. |
| Countdown timers & clocks | Supported: Countdown and count-up timers and a clock on the monitor display. | Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view. |
| On-screen messages & alerts | Unknown | Supported: Spontaneous messages to the congregation can be shown over the presentation. |
| 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: Interface in German and English. |
| 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: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen. |
| Bible translations side by side | Unknown | Supported: Up to two Bible translations can be shown at once. |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Supported: Lyrics and scriptures support right-to-left languages. | Partial: Unicode text such as Cyrillic is supported; the changelog notes right-to-left output (e.g. Arabic) is not yet fully correct. |
| Integrations | ||
| Software integrations | Unknown | Unknown |
| Planning Center | Unknown | Unknown |
| ChurchSuite | Unknown | Unknown |
| WorshipTools Planning | Unknown | Unknown |
| Hardware control | Unknown | Supported |
| MIDI | Unknown | Supported: Control via MIDI and OSC. |
| DMX lighting | Unknown | Unknown |
| Stream Deck / Companion | Unknown | Unknown |
| Automation & extensibility | Unknown | Supported |
| Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) | Unknown | Partial: Remote control over the network via OSC; no HTTP or WebSocket API is documented. |
| Plugins / extensions | Unknown | Unknown |
| Built-in scripting / macros | Unknown | Supported: SongBeamer Script macros can be run from menus or added to the schedule. |
| 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: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta). |
| 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. | Supported: NDI output has its own formatting and an optional background colour for keying. |
| 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: Text output to OBS Studio and other software via NDI or a text file. |
| 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: SongBeamer Remote app for iPhone and iPad. |
| 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 |
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