Holyrics vs Praisenter
Holyrics
Free Brazilian worship presentation software for lyrics and Bible verses, with optional online plans.
- Freemium
- Subscription
Praisenter
Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.
- Open Source
- Free
Summary
- Holyrics is paid (Free; optional plans from US$2/month), while Praisenter is free.
- Praisenter is open source (BSD-3-Clause); Holyrics is proprietary.
- Both run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Multilingual: Bible translations side by side · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.
Only in Holyrics
- Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in Praisenter)
- Bible: Free translations included (partial in Praisenter)
- Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages (partial in Praisenter)
Only in Praisenter
No confirmed features where Holyrics 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 |
Holyrics
|
Praisenter
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | Free; optional plans from US$2/month | Free |
| Open source | No | Yes (BSD-3-Clause) |
| Deployment | Desktop app | Desktop app |
| Status | active | active |
| 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: Lyrics can be imported from other sources, including PowerPoint files. | Supported: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats. |
| Paste or import plain-text lyrics | Supported | Supported: Lyrics can be pasted into the bulk editor, and text can be extracted from a PDF into it. |
| Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) | Supported: Built-in web search of the holyrics.com lyrics database, with many songs pre-formatted for projection. | Partial: Imports SongSelect files downloaded by the user (since 3.1.7); there is no online SongSelect connection. |
| Chord charts for musicians | Supported: Chords and comments can be shown on the return (stage) monitor. | Unknown |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported: Themes can use videos as backgrounds, with optional BPM-synced playback speed. | Supported: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background. |
| CCLI usage reporting | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bible | Supported | Partial |
| Free translations included | Supported | Partial: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported. |
| Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) | Supported: Translations are offered through partnerships with Bible publishers as well as public-domain versions. | Unknown |
| Slides & presentations | Partial | Unknown |
| PowerPoint | Partial: .ppt/.pptx files can be run from the program on Windows only, with Microsoft PowerPoint installed. | Unknown |
| Keynote | Unknown | Unknown |
| Google Slides | Unknown | Unknown |
| Canva | Unknown | Unknown |
| Unknown | Unknown | |
| Plays slide animations & transitions | Unknown | Unknown |
| Media | Supported | Supported |
| Video playback | Supported: Audio and video play through the integrated VLC player. | Supported |
| Audio playback | Supported | Supported |
| Images | Supported | Supported |
| YouTube / online video | Not supported: The FAQ states YouTube videos cannot be played in the program because of YouTube policy. | Unknown |
| Inputs & other sources | Supported | Supported |
| Live camera / capture card | Partial: Webcams and IP cameras can be played through the VLC player, though the FAQ warns of noticeable delay. | Unknown |
| Screen sharing | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web pages | Partial: A website can be opened full screen on the projection screen (Windows only, requires Chrome or Edge). | Unknown |
| Countdown timers & clocks | Supported | Supported: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns. |
| On-screen messages & alerts | Supported: Alerts at the top or bottom of the screen, custom messages and a communication panel for the stage screen. | Supported: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed. |
| Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) | Paid add-on or tier: Q&A, polls and raffles via a Telegram chatbot are part of the paid online plans; a built-in multiple-choice quiz is also available. | Unknown |
| Languages | ||
| Multilingual | Supported | Supported |
| Interface in multiple languages | Supported | Partial: The interface ships in English only; users can add their own translation of the messages file. |
| Songs in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bibles in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bilingual lyrics on screen | Supported: Song slides can carry translations, shown on separate screens or together on one screen. | Supported: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template. |
| Bible translations side by side | Supported: Up to 3 Bible versions can be shown simultaneously, with verse mapping across languages. | Supported: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide. |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Supported: Settings for non-Latin scripts including Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Devanagari, Han and Hangul. | Unknown |
| Integrations | ||
| Software integrations | Unknown | Unknown |
| Planning Center | Unknown | Unknown |
| ChurchSuite | Unknown | Unknown |
| WorshipTools Planning | Unknown | Unknown |
| Hardware control | Supported | Unknown |
| MIDI | Supported: MIDI input can trigger program actions, e.g. advancing slides from a multitrack playback. | Unknown |
| DMX lighting | Partial: No direct DMX output; API items and triggers can send commands to the Lumikit lighting software. | Unknown |
| Stream Deck / Companion | Unknown | Unknown |
| Automation & extensibility | Supported | Unknown |
| Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) | Supported: Local HTTP API server with token authentication; access from the internet requires the Advanced plan. | Unknown |
| Plugins / extensions | Unknown | Unknown |
| Built-in scripting / macros | Supported: JavaScript (ECMAScript 5.1) scripts, startup code, system variables and custom API routes. | Unknown |
| Webhooks / triggers to other systems | Supported: Triggers run actions on program events, sending HTTP, WebSocket, TCP/UDP, OSC or MIDI messages and controlling OBS, vMix and PTZ cameras. | 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 | Supported: Each connected display can receive content independently. |
| Stage display / confidence monitor | Supported: Return monitors with their own settings and monitor-only messages and alerts. | Unknown |
| Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming | Supported: NDI outputs can use a transparent background for keying over video. | Unknown |
| Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) | Supported: The Holyrics plugin runs an HTTP server so the projection can be viewed in browsers or added as a source in streaming software. | Unknown |
| Broadcast video | Supported | Supported |
| NDI | Supported: Multiple NDI outputs with configurable resolution, frame rate and theme. | Supported: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays. |
| SDI | Unknown | Unknown |
| Built-in streaming & recording | Not supported | Unknown |
| Stream to any RTMP destination | Not supported: The FAQ states the program does not stream itself but works alongside streaming software such as OBS. | Unknown |
| YouTube Live | Not supported | Unknown |
| Facebook Live | Not supported | 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 | Supported: All data and media can be synchronised between computers through Google Drive (settings are not synced). | Unknown |
| Works fully offline | Supported | Supported |
| Remote control from phone or tablet | Supported: Holyrics mobile app for Android and iOS (iOS app is a one-time US$0.99 purchase). | Unknown |
| Multiple operators at once | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web native (runs in a browser) | Not supported | Unknown |
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