Holyrics vs SongBeamer
Holyrics
Free Brazilian worship presentation software for lyrics and Bible verses, with optional online plans.
- Freemium
- Subscription
SongBeamer
German worship presentation software for songs, Bible texts and media, sold as a one-time licence.
- One-time
- Free Trial
Summary
- Holyrics is paid (Free; optional plans from US$2/month), while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
- Both run on Windows and macOS.
- Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) · Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Multilingual: Bible translations side by side · Hardware control: MIDI · Automation & extensibility: Built-in scripting / macros · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Screens & outputs: Stage display / confidence monitor · Screens & outputs: Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline · Connectivity & collaboration: Remote control from phone or tablet.
Only in Holyrics
- Runs on Linux
- Bible: Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) (paid add-on in SongBeamer)
- Multilingual: Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts (partial in SongBeamer)
- Automation & extensibility: Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) (partial in SongBeamer)
Only in SongBeamer
- Slides & presentations: PowerPoint (partial in Holyrics)
- Media: YouTube / online video
- Inputs & other sources: Live camera / capture card (partial in Holyrics)
- Inputs & other sources: Web pages (partial in Holyrics)
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
| SongBeamer |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | Free; optional plans from US$2/month | €124 one-time (single computer)Free trial |
| Open source | No | No |
| Deployment | Desktop app | Desktop app |
| Status | active | active |
| 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 | Supported |
| Import from other presentation software | Supported: Lyrics can be imported from other sources, including PowerPoint files. | Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV. |
| Paste or import plain-text lyrics | Supported | Unknown |
| 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. | Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates. |
| Chord charts for musicians | Supported: Chords and comments can be shown on the return (stage) monitor. | Supported: Songs can be projected and printed with chords, with transposition. |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported: Themes can use videos as backgrounds, with optional BPM-synced playback speed. | Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds. |
| CCLI usage reporting | Unknown | Supported: Optional automatic reporting to CCLI, added in version 6.0, available while entitled to updates; VG Musikedition reports can be exported too. |
| Bible | Supported | Supported |
| Free translations included | Supported | Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML. |
| Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) | Supported: Translations are offered through partnerships with Bible publishers as well as public-domain versions. | Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each). |
| Slides & presentations | Partial | Supported |
| PowerPoint | Partial: .ppt/.pptx files can be run from the program on Windows only, with Microsoft PowerPoint installed. | Supported: PowerPoint and LibreOffice files can be added to the schedule; requires PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer or LibreOffice. |
| Keynote | Unknown | Unknown |
| Google Slides | Unknown | Unknown |
| Canva | Unknown | Unknown |
| Unknown | Supported | |
| 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. | Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time. |
| 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. | Supported: Live video from a camera or capture device can be shown behind text. |
| Screen sharing | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web pages | Partial: A website can be opened full screen on the projection screen (Windows only, requires Chrome or Edge). | Supported: Web pages can be added to the schedule and displayed. |
| Countdown timers & clocks | Supported | Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view. |
| 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: Spontaneous messages to the congregation can be shown over the presentation. |
| 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 | Supported: Interface in German and English. |
| 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: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen. |
| Bible translations side by side | Supported: Up to 3 Bible versions can be shown simultaneously, with verse mapping across languages. | Supported: Up to two Bible translations can be shown at once. |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Supported: Settings for non-Latin scripts including Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Devanagari, Han and Hangul. | Partial: Unicode text such as Cyrillic is supported; the changelog notes right-to-left output (e.g. Arabic) is not yet fully correct. |
| Integrations | ||
| Software integrations | Unknown | Unknown |
| Planning Center | Unknown | Unknown |
| ChurchSuite | Unknown | Unknown |
| WorshipTools Planning | Unknown | Unknown |
| Hardware control | Supported | Supported |
| MIDI | Supported: MIDI input can trigger program actions, e.g. advancing slides from a multitrack playback. | Supported: Control via MIDI and OSC. |
| 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 | Supported |
| Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) | Supported: Local HTTP API server with token authentication; access from the internet requires the Advanced plan. | Partial: Remote control over the network via OSC; no HTTP or WebSocket API is documented. |
| Plugins / extensions | Unknown | Unknown |
| Built-in scripting / macros | Supported: JavaScript (ECMAScript 5.1) scripts, startup code, system variables and custom API routes. | Supported: SongBeamer Script macros can be run from menus or added to the schedule. |
| 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: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta). |
| Stage display / confidence monitor | Supported: Return monitors with their own settings and monitor-only messages and alerts. | Supported |
| Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming | Supported: NDI outputs can use a transparent background for keying over video. | Supported: NDI output has its own formatting and an optional background colour for keying. |
| 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: Text output to OBS Studio and other software via NDI or a text file. |
| 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). | Supported: SongBeamer Remote app for iPhone and iPad. |
| Multiple operators at once | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web native (runs in a browser) | Not supported | Not supported |
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