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Cantara vs WorshipTools Presenter

Cantara logo
Cantara

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

  • Open Source
  • Free
WorshipTools Presenter logo
WorshipTools Presenter

Free church presentation app with cloud sync and paid tiers for multi-screen features.

  • Freemium
  • Subscription

Summary

  • Cantara is free, while WorshipTools Presenter is paid (Freemium / Subscription).
  • Cantara is open source (GPL-3.0); WorshipTools Presenter is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows and macOS.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Cantara

  • Runs on Linux
  • Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens (paid add-on in WorshipTools Presenter)

Only in WorshipTools Presenter

  • 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 WorshipTools Presenter logo WorshipTools Presenter
Overview
Price FreeFreemium / Subscription
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0)No
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app, Cloud / hosted
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 Supported: Lyrics can be imported from EasyWorship 7, OpenLP, ProPresenter 6/7, MediaShout (Windows) and others.
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. Supported: Lyrics, chords and lyric videos can be imported from CCLI SongSelect and Loop Community on all tiers.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: ChordPro chords from SongSelect or Loop Community appear on the stage display and can be transposed; requires SongSelect Premium.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Unknown Supported: Free and Pro include one motion graphic per month; Pro Plus has unlimited access to 500+ motion loops.
CCLI usage reporting Unknown Supported
Bible Unknown Supported
Free translations included Unknown Supported: 45+ free translations in many languages are included on all tiers; custom XML Bibles can also be imported.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Translations such as NIV, ESV, NKJV and NLT can be purchased from the WorshipTools account page.
Slides & presentations Unknown Supported
PowerPoint Unknown Supported
Keynote Unknown Supported: Keynote import is macOS only and requires Keynote to be installed.
Google Slides Unknown Supported: Google Slides presentations can be imported and re-synced after changes.
Canva Unknown Unknown
PDF Unknown Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown Partial: PowerPoint is converted to static images; the "Launch with PowerPoint" option (Windows only) keeps animations and transitions.
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: YouTube and Vimeo videos can be played as Web Video items (needs internet).
Inputs & other sources Unknown Supported
Live camera / capture card Unknown Supported: A camera or capture feed can be used as the background of any item to overlay lyrics or scripture (documented for the legacy version).
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Supported: Web Page service items show most external websites.
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown Supported
On-screen messages & alerts Unknown Supported: Alerts can be sent to the audience screen and the stage display.
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: Interface available in English, German, Spanish, Ukrainian, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and French.
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 Unknown
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown Supported
Integrations
Software integrations Unknown Supported
Planning Center Unknown Supported: Planning Center Services plans can be imported and re-synced (documented for the legacy version).
ChurchSuite Unknown Unknown
WorshipTools Planning Unknown Supported: Services from WorshipTools Planning and charts from WorshipTools Charts sync with Presenter.
Hardware control Unknown Supported
MIDI Unknown Supported: MIDI mapping to control service items, over USB/5-pin or a network session; MIDI Out is also listed.
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. Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; unlimited outputs, each with its own layout (audience, stage, livestream lyrics).
Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; companion stage display app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown Supported: Lower-third lyrics templates are offered for livestream outputs.
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Unknown Supported
NDI Unknown Supported: Outputs can be sent over the network as NDI.
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 Supported
Works fully offline Supported Supported: Offline mode runs existing and new services; YouTube and SongSelect import need a connection.
Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; remote app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Multiple operators at once Unknown Supported: Multiple users can work on presentations from one account; simultaneous Presenter sessions require Pro Plus.
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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