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MediaShout vs WordsLive

MediaShout logo
MediaShout

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

  • Subscription
  • One-time
  • Free Trial
WordsLive logo
WordsLive

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

  • Open Source
  • Free

Summary

  • MediaShout is paid ($599 one-time (Windows site licence)), while WordsLive is free.
  • WordsLive is open source (GPL-3.0); MediaShout is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images.

Only in MediaShout

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

Only in WordsLive

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 WordsLive logo WordsLive
Overview
Price $599 one-time (Windows site licence)Free trialFree
Open source NoYes (GPL-3.0)
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Not 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: Native Powerpraise songs and portfolios; songs can also be imported from SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro files.
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. 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: Motion backgrounds are available, with Shift Worship Media included in the Complete bundle. Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
CCLI usage reporting Supported: Songs used are reported to CCLI automatically; listed for the Windows version. Partial: Songs can be stored with CCLI numbers, and a command opens CCLI Online Reporting in the browser for the selected songs.
Bible Supported Unknown
Free translations included Supported: About 70 translations, including public-domain and copyrighted versions, are included with the licence. Unknown
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Supported: Copyrighted translations are among the 70 included at no additional cost. Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Supported: PowerPoint slides can be imported as images or as editable MediaShout cues. 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 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: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
Audio playback Supported Supported
Images Supported: Unsplash and Pixabay images and videos can be searched and inserted from within the software. 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 Supported: Live video feeds (cameras, phones, other apps) via NDI. Unknown
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown 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 Unknown Supported: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own.
Bible translations side by side Supported: Dual Bible display can show two translations or languages on screen. 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 Unknown Unknown
MIDI Unknown Unknown
DMX lighting Unknown Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion Unknown Unknown
Automation & extensibility Unknown Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown 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: Control screen, main display and an optional third output for stage/confidence or livestream. Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported: Not included in the LE edition. Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Supported: Lower-third templates are included. Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Supported Unknown
NDI Supported: Since version 7.4, NDI feeds can be shown in presentations and outputs can be sent over NDI. 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 Unknown Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Supported: MediaShout Remote app for iOS (added in 7.3); standard USB presentation remotes also work. Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Not supported Not supported

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