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OpenSong vs Praisenter

OpenSong logo
OpenSong

Free, open-source tool for managing lyrics, chords and lead sheets and projecting them.

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained
Praisenter logo
Praisenter

Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.

  • Open Source
  • Free

Summary

  • OpenSong is free, while Praisenter is free.
  • Both are open source.
  • Both run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Note: OpenSong is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in OpenSong

  • Bible: Free translations included (partial in Praisenter)
  • Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages (partial in Praisenter)

Only in Praisenter

  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in OpenSong)
  • Media: Video playback (partial in OpenSong)
  • Media: Audio playback (partial in OpenSong)

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 OpenSong logo OpenSong Praisenter logo Praisenter
Overview
Price FreeFree
Open source Yes (GPL-2.0-only)Yes (BSD-3-Clause)
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status maintenanceactive
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 Unknown Supported: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Lyrics found online can be pasted into a song using OpenSong's chord/lyric text format. 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) Not supported: The built-in CCLI SongSelect import has been disabled because it broke; CCLI exports can be converted with the separate OpenSong Import Utility. Partial: Imports SongSelect files downloaded by the user (since 3.1.7); there is no online SongSelect connection.
Chord charts for musicians Supported: Chords transpose automatically, and lead sheets can print regular and capo chords together. Unknown
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Partial: Backgrounds are colours or images; a video background is only possible through a VideoLAN overlay preset (Windows). Supported: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background.
CCLI usage reporting Partial: Presented songs are logged with their CCLI numbers in an activity log; there is no direct CCLI submission. Unknown
Bible Supported Partial
Free translations included Supported: The KJV is included; other Bibles must be converted to OpenSong's own format (several are offered on the downloads page). Partial: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Unknown
PowerPoint Supported: Drives an installed PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress with live preview, or imports slides as image snapshots. Unknown
Keynote Unknown Unknown
Google Slides Unknown Unknown
Canva Unknown Unknown
PDF Unknown Unknown
Plays slide animations & transitions Partial: Animations only play when OpenSong drives PowerPoint or Impress directly; imported snapshots are static. Unknown
Media Supported Supported
Video playback Partial: Video is played via an external VideoLAN (VLC) player launched from a slide. Supported
Audio playback Partial: Audio clips are played through the external VideoLAN (VLC) player. Supported
Images Supported Supported
YouTube / online video Unknown Unknown
Inputs & other sources Supported Supported
Live camera / capture card Unknown Unknown
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown Supported: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns.
On-screen messages & alerts Supported: Alerts can be shown over the presentation, including via the API. Supported: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed.
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Supported: The interface is available in about 20 languages. 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 Unknown Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Bilingual songs can render the second language in a different style. Supported: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template.
Bible translations side by side Unknown Supported: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide.
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 Supported Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Supported: REST and WebSocket API for remote control and integrations. 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 Unknown Supported
Multiple audience screens Unknown Supported: Each connected display can receive content independently.
Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Supported Supported
NDI Supported: NDI output is supported (disabled by default in recent builds). Supported: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays.
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 Unknown Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Unknown

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