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MediaShout vs SongBeamer

MediaShout logo
MediaShout

Church presentation software sold mainly as a one-time site licence.

  • Subscription
  • One-time
  • Free Trial
SongBeamer

German worship presentation software for songs, Bible texts and media, sold as a one-time licence.

  • One-time
  • Free Trial

Summary

  • MediaShout is paid ($599 one-time (Windows site licence)), while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
  • Both run on Windows and macOS.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Songs & lyrics: CCLI usage reporting · Bible: Free translations included · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Live camera / capture card · Multilingual: Bible translations side by side · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Screens & outputs: Stage display / confidence monitor · Screens & outputs: Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Remote control from phone or tablet.

Only in MediaShout

  • Bible: Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) (paid add-on in SongBeamer)

Only in SongBeamer

No confirmed features where MediaShout 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 MediaShout logo MediaShout SongBeamer
Overview
Price $599 one-time (Windows site licence)Free trial€124 one-time (single computer)Free trial
Open source NoNo
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Supported
Linux Not 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 Unknown Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Unknown Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Supported: Lyrics can be imported through the CCLI SongSelect integration. Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: Songs can be projected and printed with chords, with transposition.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported: Motion backgrounds are available, with Shift Worship Media included in the Complete bundle. Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds.
CCLI usage reporting Supported: Songs used are reported to CCLI automatically; listed for the Windows version. 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: About 70 translations, including public-domain and copyrighted versions, are included with the licence. Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Supported: Copyrighted translations are among the 70 included at no additional cost. Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each).
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Supported: PowerPoint slides can be imported as images or as editable MediaShout cues. 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
PDF Unknown Supported
Plays slide animations & transitions Partial: MediaShout's own slides support text animations and transitions; it is not stated that imported PowerPoint animations are kept. Unknown
Media Supported Supported
Video playback Supported Supported
Audio playback Supported Supported
Images Supported: Unsplash and Pixabay images and videos can be searched and inserted from within the software. Supported
YouTube / online video Unknown Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time.
Inputs & other sources Supported Supported
Live camera / capture card Supported: Live video feeds (cameras, phones, other apps) via NDI. Supported: Live video from a camera or capture device can be shown behind text.
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Supported: Web pages can be added to the schedule and displayed.
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view.
On-screen messages & alerts Unknown Supported: Spontaneous messages to the congregation can be shown over the presentation.
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Unknown Supported: Interface in German and English.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Unknown Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Unknown Supported: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen.
Bible translations side by side Supported: Dual Bible display can show two translations or languages on screen. Supported: Up to two Bible translations can be shown at once.
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown 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 Unknown Supported
MIDI Unknown Supported: Control via MIDI and OSC.
DMX lighting Unknown Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion Unknown Unknown
Automation & extensibility Unknown Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown Partial: Remote control over the network via OSC; no HTTP or WebSocket API is documented.
Plugins / extensions Unknown Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros Unknown Supported: SongBeamer Script macros can be run from menus or added to the schedule.
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 Supported
Multiple audience screens Supported: Control screen, main display and an optional third output for stage/confidence or livestream. Supported: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta).
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported: Not included in the LE edition. Supported
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Supported: Lower-third templates are included. Supported: NDI output has its own formatting and an optional background colour for keying.
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Supported Supported
NDI Supported: Since version 7.4, NDI feeds can be shown in presentations and outputs can be sent over NDI. Supported: Text output to OBS Studio and other software via NDI or a text file.
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 Unknown Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Supported: MediaShout Remote app for iOS (added in 7.3); standard USB presentation remotes also work. 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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