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LyricDisplay vs WordsLive

LyricDisplay logo
LyricDisplay

Open-source lyric control app with outputs for projectors, stage displays, OBS and vMix.

  • Open Source
  • Free
WordsLive logo
WordsLive

Free, open-source Windows projection software for lyrics, videos and presentations.

  • Open Source
  • Free

Summary

  • LyricDisplay is free, while WordsLive is free.
  • Both are open source.
  • Both run on Windows.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in LyricDisplay

  • Runs on macOS
  • Runs on Linux
  • Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in WordsLive)
  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in WordsLive)
  • Inputs & other sources (partial in WordsLive)

Only in WordsLive

  • Slides & presentations: PowerPoint (partial in LyricDisplay)

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 LyricDisplay logo LyricDisplay WordsLive logo WordsLive
Overview
Price Free / Donation-supportedFree
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0-or-later)Yes (GPL-3.0)
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Not 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: EasyWorship song databases can be imported, keeping title, writers, copyright and CCLI number. Supported: Native Powerpraise songs and portfolios; songs can also be imported from SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro files.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Imports text, LRC, Markdown, RTF and DOCX files, and lyrics can be pasted from websites. Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Supported: Built-in online lyric search via LRCLIB, Lyrics.ovh and OpenHymnal. Partial: Songs can be imported from SongSelect files or text copied to the clipboard; there is no direct online search.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported: Each output can have its own image or video background. Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
CCLI usage reporting Unknown Partial: Songs can be stored with CCLI numbers, and a command opens CCLI Online Reporting in the browser for the selected songs.
Bible Unknown Unknown
Free translations included Unknown Unknown
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Unknown
Slides & presentations Partial Supported
PowerPoint Partial: PowerPoint files are imported as lyric slides (one text slide per PowerPoint slide); it is not a general slide player. Supported: PowerPoint (ppt, pptx) and OpenDocument (odp) presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 or LibreOffice/OpenOffice Impress to be installed.
Keynote Unknown Unknown
Google Slides Unknown Unknown
Canva Unknown Unknown
PDF Unknown Partial: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental).
Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown Unknown
Media Unknown Supported
Video playback Unknown Supported: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
Audio playback Unknown Supported
Images Unknown Supported: Photos can be compiled into an optionally timer-controlled slide show.
YouTube / online video Unknown Unknown
Inputs & other sources Supported Partial
Live camera / capture card Unknown Unknown
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks Supported: A separate timer display driven by a schedule/agenda. Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts Unknown Partial: An additional notification for the audience can be shown during a presentation (experimental).
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Unknown Supported: Interface in English and German.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Unknown Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Translation lines can be grouped with each lyric line and shown together. Supported: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own.
Bible translations side by side Unknown Unknown
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown Unknown
Integrations
Software integrations Unknown Unknown
Planning Center Unknown Unknown
ChurchSuite Unknown Unknown
WorshipTools Planning Unknown Unknown
Hardware control Supported Unknown
MIDI Supported: MIDI and OSC control. Unknown
DMX lighting Unknown Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion Unknown Unknown
Automation & extensibility Supported Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Supported: Documented HTTP (OpenAPI) and Socket.IO realtime APIs. 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 Unknown
Multiple audience screens Supported: Two default lyric outputs plus up to four custom outputs, a stage display and a timer display. Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Supported: Outputs can be added as transparent browser sources in OBS, vMix and Wirecast. Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Supported: Every output is a browser URL that can be opened on other devices on the LAN or in streaming software. Unknown
Broadcast video Paid add-on or tier Unknown
NDI Paid add-on or tier: NDI output requires the separately downloaded (free) LyricDisplay NDI companion. Unknown
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 Unknown
Works fully offline Supported Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Supported: Join-code-protected mobile/web controllers. Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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