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FreeShow vs OpenSong

FreeShow logo
FreeShow

Free, open-source presentation software for lyrics, scripture and media.

  • Open Source
  • Free
OpenSong logo
OpenSong

Free, open-source tool for managing lyrics, chords and lead sheets and projecting them.

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained

Summary

  • FreeShow is free, while OpenSong is free.
  • Both are open source.
  • Both run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Note: OpenSong is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics · Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians · Bible: Free translations included · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Automation & extensibility: Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in FreeShow

  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in OpenSong)
  • Media: Video playback (partial in OpenSong)
  • Media: Audio playback (partial in OpenSong)

Only in OpenSong

No confirmed features where FreeShow falls short.

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 FreeShow logo FreeShow OpenSong logo OpenSong
Overview
Price Free / Donation-supportedFree
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0-only)Yes (GPL-2.0-only)
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activemaintenance
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Supported
Linux Supported 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 Supported
Import from other presentation software Supported: Imports from ProPresenter, EasyWorship, VideoPsalm, OpenLP/OpenLyrics, OpenSong, MediaShout, Quelea, SoftProjector, SongBeamer, EasySlides and VerseVIEW, plus ChordPro, CSV and Word. Unknown
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Lyrics can be pasted into the Quick lyrics box when creating a show. Supported: Lyrics found online can be pasted into a song using OpenSong's chord/lyric text format.
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Partial: No SongSelect integration because CCLI discontinued its API; song lyrics can be pulled from Planning Center plans. Not supported: The built-in CCLI SongSelect import has been disabled because it broke; CCLI exports can be converted with the separate OpenSong Import Utility.
Chord charts for musicians Supported: Chords can be added to song text and shown on the stage display. Supported: Chords transpose automatically, and lead sheets can print regular and capo chords together.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported Partial: Backgrounds are colours or images; a video background is only possible through a VideoLAN overlay preset (Windows).
CCLI usage reporting Partial: Song usage can be logged to a file and exported; reports are not submitted to CCLI automatically. Partial: Presented songs are logged with their CCLI numbers in an activity log; there is no direct CCLI submission.
Bible Supported Supported
Free translations included Supported: Over 200 versions can be downloaded through API.Bible (online), or Zefania, OSIS, Beblia and OpenSong files imported. Supported: The KJV is included; other Bibles must be converted to OpenSong's own format (several are offered on the downloads page).
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Partial: Some copyrighted versions are available through API.Bible; the docs do not list NIV or ESV. Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Supported: PowerPoint and PDF files are imported as slides; a deprecated controller mode drives an installed PowerPoint or Keynote. Supported: Drives an installed PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress with live preview, or imports slides as image snapshots.
Keynote Partial: Keynote is only supported through the deprecated controller mode, which needs Keynote installed on macOS. Unknown
Google Slides Unknown Unknown
Canva Supported: A Canva connection (OAuth) lets designs be browsed and used from FreeShow's content library. Unknown
PDF Supported Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions Partial: Original slide animations only play in the deprecated PowerPoint/Keynote controller mode; FreeShow has its own transitions and item animations. Partial: Animations only play when OpenSong drives PowerPoint or Impress directly; imported snapshots are static.
Media Supported Supported
Video playback Supported Partial: Video is played via an external VideoLAN (VLC) player launched from a slide.
Audio playback Supported Partial: Audio clips are played through the external VideoLAN (VLC) player.
Images Supported Supported
YouTube / online video Supported: YouTube and Vimeo videos can be played by pasting a link. Unknown
Inputs & other sources Supported Supported
Live camera / capture card Supported: Cameras, screens and windows can be shown from the media drawer. Unknown
Screen sharing Supported Unknown
Web pages Supported Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks Supported Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts Supported: Any number of overlays can be layered over slides for announcements and messages. Supported: Alerts can be shown over the presentation, including via the API.
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Supported: Interaction slides (join, question, chart, leaderboard) let the audience take part from their phones. Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Supported: The interface is translated into about 30 languages. Supported: The interface is available in about 20 languages.
Songs in other languages Supported Supported
Bibles in other languages Supported Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Songs can carry translations that are shown together with the original lyrics. Supported: Bilingual songs can render the second language in a different style.
Bible translations side by side Supported: Scripture collections show several versions at the same time. Unknown
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Supported: Text items have a right-to-left option, and the interface has an Arabic translation. Unknown
Integrations
Software integrations Supported Unknown
Planning Center Supported: Downloads upcoming Planning Center service plans; ChurchApps (B1.church) and OnStage are also supported. Unknown
ChurchSuite Unknown Unknown
WorshipTools Planning Unknown Unknown
Hardware control Supported Unknown
MIDI Supported: Can receive MIDI to trigger actions and slides and send MIDI on slide changes. Unknown
DMX lighting Unknown Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion Supported: Bitfocus Companion is supported for Stream Deck control. Unknown
Automation & extensibility Supported Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Supported: WebSocket and REST API, enabled in Connections settings. Supported: REST and WebSocket API for remote control and integrations.
Plugins / extensions Unknown Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros Unknown Unknown
Webhooks / triggers to other systems Supported: Emitter templates send HTTP, OSC or MIDI messages from slides and actions. Unknown
MCP server for AI assistants Unknown Unknown
AI features (e.g. verse detection, lyric formatting) Supported: Optional AI features include speech-to-text transcription with automatic scripture detection and an LLM assistant (local or cloud models). Unknown
Presenting & control
Screens & outputs Supported Unknown
Multiple audience screens Supported Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Supported: Outputs can have their own styles and an alpha key output for keying lyrics over video. Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Supported: OutputShow serves an output as a web page on the local network. Unknown
Broadcast video Supported Supported
NDI Supported Supported: NDI output is supported (disabled by default in recent builds).
SDI Supported: Blackmagic DeckLink and UltraStudio outputs are supported. Unknown
Built-in streaming & recording Supported Unknown
Stream to any RTMP destination Supported: Outputs can be streamed over RTMP (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Live) or WebRTC/WHIP. Unknown
YouTube Live Supported Unknown
Facebook Live Supported Unknown
Record the output to a file Supported: Outputs and captured screens can be recorded to a file. 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: The library can be synced across computers through cloud sync (e.g. Google Drive or ChurchApps). Unknown
Works fully offline Supported Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Supported Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Unknown

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