Cantara vs VideoPsalm

Cantara

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

Open Source
Free

VideoPsalm

Free Windows presentation software for lyrics, Bible verses and media.

Free

Summary

Cantara is free, while VideoPsalm is free.
Cantara is open source (GPL-3.0); VideoPsalm is proprietary.
Both run on Windows.
Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Cantara

Runs on macOS
Runs on Linux

Only in VideoPsalm

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	VideoPsalm
Overview
Price	Free	Free
Open source	Yes (GPL-3.0)	No
Deployment	Desktop app	Desktop app
Status	active	active
Platforms
Windows	Supported	Supported
macOS	Supported	Not 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	Supported: Described as compatible with OpenSong and ProPresenter song files.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics	Supported: Plain .txt lyric files are recognised as songs.	Unknown
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.	Partial: Downloaded SongSelect .usr song files can be added to the agenda; songs can also be fetched from an expandable online song library.
Chord charts for musicians	Unknown	Supported: Chords over lyrics with transposition and capo; ChordPro notation is supported.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics	Unknown	Supported: Video loops can be played under lyrics.
CCLI usage reporting	Unknown	Supported
Bible	Unknown	Supported
Free translations included	Unknown	Supported: Over 3,000 Bible translations in 1,900+ languages can be downloaded and added.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.)	Unknown	Unknown
Slides & presentations	Unknown	Supported
PowerPoint	Unknown	Supported
Keynote	Unknown	Not supported: Windows-only; PowerPoint, PDF, Word and LibreOffice documents are listed but not Keynote.
Google Slides	Unknown	Unknown
Canva	Unknown	Unknown
PDF	Unknown	Supported
Plays slide animations & transitions	Unknown	Supported: Animations inside PowerPoint slides can be stepped through.
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	Supported
Inputs & other sources	Unknown	Supported
Live camera / capture card	Unknown	Supported: A live video feed can be used as a lyrics background.
Screen sharing	Unknown	Unknown
Web pages	Unknown	Supported
Countdown timers & clocks	Unknown	Supported: Clock, countdown and stopwatch.
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.	Supported: The interface is translatable and available in 28+ languages.
Songs in other languages	Unknown	Supported
Bibles in other languages	Unknown	Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen	Supported: Songs can be presented and exported in two languages at the same time.	Supported
Bible translations side by side	Unknown	Supported: Bilingual display of songs and Bible verses on one slide.
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts	Unknown	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: Multi-screen presentation is supported out of the box.	Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor	Unknown	Supported
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming	Unknown	Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source)	Unknown	Unknown
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	Unknown	Partial: Data can be kept in a third-party cloud folder (pCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive); there is no built-in sync service.
Works fully offline	Supported	Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet	Unknown	Not supported: A Wi-Fi remote and mobile app are listed as "coming soon" on the features page.
Multiple operators at once	Unknown	Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser)	Unknown	Unknown

Cantara vs VideoPsalm

Summary

Only in Cantara

Only in VideoPsalm

Side by side

Other comparisons