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PraiseBase Presenter vs SongBeamer

PraiseBase Presenter logo
PraiseBase Presenter

Open-source Windows worship presenter for song lyrics, images and Bible verses.

  • 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

  • PraiseBase Presenter is free, while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
  • PraiseBase Presenter is open source (GPL-3.0); SongBeamer is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows.
  • Note: PraiseBase Presenter is no longer actively maintained.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Screens & outputs: Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in PraiseBase Presenter

No confirmed features where SongBeamer falls short.

Only in SongBeamer

  • Runs on macOS
  • Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in PraiseBase Presenter)
  • Songs & lyrics: CCLI usage reporting (partial in PraiseBase Presenter)
  • Media: YouTube / online video (partial in PraiseBase Presenter)

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 PraiseBase Presenter logo PraiseBase Presenter SongBeamer
Overview
Price Free€124 one-time (single computer)Free trial
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0)No
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status maintenanceactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Not 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 Supported: Importers for PowerPraise, PraiseBox, SongBeamer and WorshipSystem songs plus OpenLyrics files. Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Lyrics can be pasted directly into a song file (added in 1.3.0). Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Partial: Reads CCLI SongSelect (.usr) files and pasted SongSelect text; there is no online connection. 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 Unknown Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds.
CCLI usage reporting Partial: Song statistics based on setlists show how often each song was used, to help with manual CCLI reporting (1.4.0). 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: Uses Zefania XML Bibles; KJV, Luther 1912, Luther 1545 and Elberfelder 1905 are bundled. 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 Unknown Supported
PowerPoint Unknown 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 Unknown Unknown
Media Supported Supported
Video playback Unknown Supported
Audio playback Unknown Supported
Images Supported: Each slide can have its own background image and image slideshows can be built. Supported
YouTube / online video Partial: Experimental YouTube playback by video ID was added in 1.3.0. 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: Live text messages can be shown alongside lyrics and Bible texts. 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: Interface in German and English. Supported: Interface in German and English.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Supported Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: A translation can be added to each song and is shown on the slide in a separate font. 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 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 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 Supported: A chroma-key mode replaces backgrounds with green or blue for keying in a video mixer. 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 Unknown Supported
NDI Unknown 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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