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OpenSong vs SongBeamer

OpenSong logo
OpenSong

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

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained
SongBeamer

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

  • One-time
  • Free Trial

Summary

  • OpenSong is free, while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
  • OpenSong is open source (GPL-2.0-only); SongBeamer is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows and macOS.
  • Note: OpenSong is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians · Bible: Free translations included · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in OpenSong

  • Runs on Linux
  • Automation & extensibility: Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) (partial in SongBeamer)

Only in SongBeamer

  • Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources)
  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in OpenSong)
  • Songs & lyrics: CCLI usage reporting (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 SongBeamer
Overview
Price Free€124 one-time (single computer)Free trial
Open source Yes (GPL-2.0-only)No
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status maintenanceactive
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 Unknown Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Lyrics found online can be pasted into a song using OpenSong's chord/lyric text format. Unknown
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. Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates.
Chord charts for musicians Supported: Chords transpose automatically, and lead sheets can print regular and capo chords together. Supported: Songs can be projected and printed with chords, with transposition.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Partial: Backgrounds are colours or images; a video background is only possible through a VideoLAN overlay preset (Windows). Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds.
CCLI usage reporting Partial: Presented songs are logged with their CCLI numbers in an activity log; there is no direct CCLI submission. 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: The KJV is included; other Bibles must be converted to OpenSong's own format (several are offered on the downloads page). Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown 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: Drives an installed PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress with live preview, or imports slides as image snapshots. 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: 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 Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time.
Inputs & other sources Supported Supported
Live camera / capture card Unknown 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 Supported: Alerts can be shown over the presentation, including via the API. 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 Supported: The interface is available in about 20 languages. Supported: Interface in German and English.
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: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen.
Bible translations side by side Unknown 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 Supported Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Supported: REST and WebSocket API for remote control and integrations. 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 Unknown Supported
Multiple audience screens Unknown Supported: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta).
Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown Supported
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown 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: NDI output is supported (disabled by default in recent builds). 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 Supported Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown Supported: SongBeamer Remote app for iPhone and iPad.
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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