FreeShow vs SoftProjector
SoftProjector
Free, open-source projection software for songs, Bible verses, announcements and media.
- Open Source
- Free
- Unmaintained
Summary
- FreeShow is free, while SoftProjector is free.
- Both are open source.
- Both run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Note: SoftProjector is no longer actively maintained.
- Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Multilingual: Bible translations side by side · Multilingual: Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.
Only in FreeShow
No confirmed features where SoftProjector falls short.
Only in SoftProjector
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
|
SoftProjector
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | Free / Donation-supported | Free |
| Open source | Yes (GPL-3.0-only) | Yes (GPL-3.0-only) |
| Deployment | Desktop app | Desktop app |
| Status | active | maintenance |
| 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: Songs are typed or pasted into the song editor; songbooks import only from SoftProjector's own .sps 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. | Partial: Ready-made songbooks (and Bibles and themes) can be downloaded from a list hosted on softprojector.org; there is no SongSelect import. |
| Chord charts for musicians | Supported: Chords can be added to song text and shown on the stage display. | Unknown |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported | Unknown |
| CCLI usage reporting | Partial: Song usage can be logged to a file and exported; reports are not submitted to CCLI automatically. | Unknown |
| 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: KJV, Russian Synodal and Ukrainian Bibles were bundled, and more can be downloaded from softprojector.org or imported from Unbound Bible files. |
| 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 | Unknown |
| PowerPoint | Supported: PowerPoint and PDF files are imported as slides; a deprecated controller mode drives an installed PowerPoint or Keynote. | Unknown |
| 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 |
| 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. | Unknown |
| Media | Supported | Supported |
| Video playback | Supported | Supported |
| Audio playback | Supported | Supported |
| Images | Supported | Supported: Picture slideshows can be created and shown. |
| 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: Custom announcements can be shown on screen. |
| 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 English, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Czech and Armenian. |
| Songs in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bibles in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bilingual lyrics on screen | Supported: Songs can carry translations that are shown together with the original lyrics. | Unknown |
| Bible translations side by side | Supported: Scripture collections show several versions at the same time. | Supported: Up to three Bible versions can be shown on one screen (six across two screens). |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Supported: Text items have a right-to-left option, and the interface has an Arabic translation. | Supported: Cyrillic and Armenian text are supported; right-to-left scripts are not documented. |
| 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 | Unknown |
| Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) | Supported: WebSocket and REST API, enabled in Connections settings. | Unknown |
| 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 | Supported |
| Multiple audience screens | Supported | Supported: A second display screen can be configured alongside the main projector screen. |
| 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 | Unknown |
| NDI | Supported | Unknown |
| 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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