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OpenSong vs WordsLive

OpenSong logo
OpenSong

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

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained
WordsLive logo
WordsLive

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

  • Open Source
  • Free

Summary

  • OpenSong is free, while WordsLive is free.
  • Both are open source.
  • Both run on Windows.
  • Note: OpenSong is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Images · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Songs in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in OpenSong

  • Runs on macOS
  • Runs on Linux
  • Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts (partial in WordsLive)

Only in WordsLive

  • 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 WordsLive logo WordsLive
Overview
Price FreeFree
Open source Yes (GPL-2.0-only)Yes (GPL-3.0)
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status maintenanceactive
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 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 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. Partial: Songs can be imported from SongSelect files or text copied to the clipboard; there is no direct online search.
Chord charts for musicians Supported: Chords transpose automatically, and lead sheets can print regular and capo chords together. Supported: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Partial: Backgrounds are colours or images; a video background is only possible through a VideoLAN overlay preset (Windows). Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
CCLI usage reporting Partial: Presented songs are logged with their CCLI numbers in an activity log; there is no direct CCLI submission. 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: The KJV is included; other Bibles must be converted to OpenSong's own format (several are offered on the downloads page). Unknown
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Supported: Drives an installed PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress with live preview, or imports slides as image snapshots. 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: 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: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
Audio playback Partial: Audio clips are played through the external VideoLAN (VLC) player. Supported
Images Supported 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 Unknown Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts Supported: Alerts can be shown over the presentation, including via the API. 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 Supported: The interface is available in about 20 languages. Supported: Interface in English and German.
Songs in other languages Supported Supported
Bibles in other languages Unknown Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Bilingual songs can render the second language in a different style. 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 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 Unknown
Multiple audience screens Unknown Unknown
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 Unknown
NDI Supported: NDI output is supported (disabled by default in recent builds). 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 Unknown Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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