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Cantara vs ProPresenter

Cantara logo
Cantara

Lightweight open-source song presentation tool for churches and small groups.

  • Open Source
  • Free
ProPresenter logo
ProPresenter

Live presentation and production software for worship services, events and broadcast.

  • Subscription
  • Free Trial

Summary

  • Cantara is free, while ProPresenter is paid ($289/year (one seat)).
  • Cantara is open source (GPL-3.0); ProPresenter is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows and macOS.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Cantara

  • Runs on Linux

Only in ProPresenter

  • Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in Cantara)
  • Media: Images (partial in Cantara)

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 Cantara logo Cantara ProPresenter logo ProPresenter
Overview
Price Free$289/year (one seat)Free trial
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0)No
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Supported
Linux Supported Not supported
Web browser Not 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: Songs are kept as files in a song repository folder, in Cantara's own .song format or CCLI SongSelect text format. Supported
Import from other presentation software Unknown Unknown
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Plain .txt lyric files are recognised as songs. Supported
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Partial: Can read song files in the CCLI SongSelect lyrics file format; there is no direct SongSelect account integration. Supported: Requires a SongSelect subscription and CCLI licence.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: Chord charts can be shown on stage screens (e.g. from Planning Center or MultiTracks).
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Unknown Supported
CCLI usage reporting Unknown Supported: Songs triggered from presentations with a CCLI number can be auto-reported once SongSelect is signed in.
Bible Unknown Supported
Free translations included Unknown Supported: 130+ translations in 25+ languages are available in the Bible module.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Some translations are sold separately.
Slides & presentations Unknown Supported
PowerPoint Unknown Supported: Since 21.2, .pptx files can be imported natively as editable presentations without PowerPoint installed.
Keynote Unknown Partial: Keynote files are not converted; on Mac they are triggered from a playlist and Keynote takes over the output.
Google Slides Unknown Unknown
Canva Unknown Unknown
PDF Unknown Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown Partial: The native PowerPoint importer keeps simple builds and transitions; emphasis and some other animations are not supported.
Media Partial Supported
Video playback Unknown Supported
Audio playback Unknown Supported
Images Partial: Images are used only as presentation backgrounds (with per-song overrides since 2.7); there is no separate media playback. Supported
YouTube / online video Unknown Unknown
Inputs & other sources Unknown Supported
Live camera / capture card Unknown Supported
Screen sharing Unknown Supported: AirCast (added in 18) receives AirPlay screens and audio as inputs.
Web pages Unknown Supported: Web pages can be shown as a web fill on slides.
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown Supported
On-screen messages & alerts Unknown Supported
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Supported: The interface has been translated into a few languages by the community. Unknown
Songs in other languages Unknown Unknown
Bibles in other languages Unknown Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Songs can be presented and exported in two languages at the same time. Unknown
Bible translations side by side Unknown Supported: Multiple translations can be shown on one slide using a theme with one text box per translation.
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown Supported
Integrations
Software integrations Unknown Supported
Planning Center Unknown Supported: Planning Center Services plans can be added as playlists; requires a separate Planning Center subscription.
ChurchSuite Unknown Unknown
WorshipTools Planning Unknown Unknown
Hardware control Unknown Supported
MIDI Unknown Supported
DMX lighting Unknown Supported
Stream Deck / Companion Unknown Supported: Official Elgato Stream Deck plugin since 7.9; Bitfocus Companion also has a ProPresenter module.
Automation & extensibility Unknown Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown Supported: Public network API (OpenAPI spec) introduced in ProPresenter 7.9; older TCP/IP control also exists.
Plugins / extensions Unknown Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros Unknown Supported: Macros run multi-step action sequences from a slide, a device or on demand.
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: Multi-screen presentation is supported out of the box. Supported: Up to 8 unique outputs; multiple computers can be linked with Network Link.
Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown Supported
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown Supported: Separate key/fill outputs are available for broadcast graphics.
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Unknown Supported
NDI Unknown Supported
SDI Unknown Supported
Built-in streaming & recording Unknown Supported
Stream to any RTMP destination Unknown Supported: The Capture feature streams any output over RTMP, records it to disk, or both; Resi streaming is also supported.
YouTube Live Unknown Supported
Facebook Live Unknown Supported
Record the output to a file Unknown Supported
TV output Unknown Paid add-on or tier
Apple TV app Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Via ProDisplay (separate per-screen subscription), which runs on Apple TV and select Google TV devices.
Android / Google TV app Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Via ProDisplay on select Google TV devices (separate per-screen subscription).
Fire TV app Unknown Unknown
Roku app Unknown Unknown
Chromecast / AirPlay Unknown Unknown
Connectivity & collaboration Supported Supported
Cloud sync of library Unknown Supported: ProPresenter Cloud syncs playlists, media and settings between machines.
Works fully offline Supported Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown Supported: ProPresenter Remote app is included with an active subscription.
Multiple operators at once Unknown Partial: ProPresenter Cloud (beta in 22) lets others prepare playlists and make mid-service changes while an operator presents.
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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