Praisenter vs WorshipTools Presenter
Praisenter
Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.
- Open Source
- Free
WorshipTools Presenter
Free church presentation app with cloud sync and paid tiers for multi-screen features.
- Freemium
- Subscription
Summary
- Praisenter is free, while WorshipTools Presenter is paid (Freemium / Subscription).
- Praisenter is open source (BSD-3-Clause); WorshipTools Presenter is proprietary.
- Both run on Windows and macOS.
- Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Broadcast video: NDI · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.
Only in Praisenter
- Runs on Linux
- Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens (paid add-on in WorshipTools Presenter)
Only in WorshipTools Presenter
- Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in Praisenter)
- Bible: Free translations included (partial in Praisenter)
- Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages (partial in Praisenter)
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 |
Praisenter
|
WorshipTools Presenter
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | Free | Freemium / Subscription |
| Open source | Yes (BSD-3-Clause) | No |
| Deployment | Desktop app | Desktop app, Cloud / hosted |
| Status | active | active |
| 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 | Supported: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats. | Supported: Lyrics can be imported from EasyWorship 7, OpenLP, ProPresenter 6/7, MediaShout (Windows) and others. |
| Paste or import plain-text lyrics | Supported: Lyrics can be pasted into the bulk editor, and text can be extracted from a PDF into it. | Unknown |
| Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) | Partial: Imports SongSelect files downloaded by the user (since 3.1.7); there is no online SongSelect connection. | Supported: Lyrics, chords and lyric videos can be imported from CCLI SongSelect and Loop Community on all tiers. |
| Chord charts for musicians | Unknown | Supported: ChordPro chords from SongSelect or Loop Community appear on the stage display and can be transposed; requires SongSelect Premium. |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background. | Supported: Free and Pro include one motion graphic per month; Pro Plus has unlimited access to 500+ motion loops. |
| CCLI usage reporting | Unknown | Supported |
| Bible | Partial | Supported |
| Free translations included | Partial: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported. | Supported: 45+ free translations in many languages are included on all tiers; custom XML Bibles can also be imported. |
| Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) | Unknown | Paid add-on or tier: Translations such as NIV, ESV, NKJV and NLT can be purchased from the WorshipTools account page. |
| Slides & presentations | Unknown | Supported |
| PowerPoint | Unknown | Supported |
| Keynote | Unknown | Supported: Keynote import is macOS only and requires Keynote to be installed. |
| Google Slides | Unknown | Supported: Google Slides presentations can be imported and re-synced after changes. |
| Canva | Unknown | Unknown |
| Unknown | Unknown | |
| Plays slide animations & transitions | Unknown | Partial: PowerPoint is converted to static images; the "Launch with PowerPoint" option (Windows only) keeps animations and transitions. |
| Media | Supported | Supported |
| Video playback | Supported | Supported |
| Audio playback | Supported | Supported |
| Images | Supported | Supported |
| YouTube / online video | Unknown | Supported: YouTube and Vimeo videos can be played as Web Video items (needs internet). |
| Inputs & other sources | Supported | Supported |
| Live camera / capture card | Unknown | Supported: A camera or capture feed can be used as the background of any item to overlay lyrics or scripture (documented for the legacy version). |
| Screen sharing | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web pages | Unknown | Supported: Web Page service items show most external websites. |
| Countdown timers & clocks | Supported: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns. | Supported |
| On-screen messages & alerts | Supported: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed. | Supported: Alerts can be sent to the audience screen and the stage display. |
| Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Languages | ||
| Multilingual | Supported | Supported |
| Interface in multiple languages | Partial: The interface ships in English only; users can add their own translation of the messages file. | Supported: Interface available in English, German, Spanish, Ukrainian, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and French. |
| Songs in other languages | Supported | Unknown |
| Bibles in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bilingual lyrics on screen | Supported: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template. | Unknown |
| Bible translations side by side | Supported: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide. | Unknown |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Unknown | Supported |
| Integrations | ||
| Software integrations | Unknown | Supported |
| Planning Center | Unknown | Supported: Planning Center Services plans can be imported and re-synced (documented for the legacy version). |
| ChurchSuite | Unknown | Unknown |
| WorshipTools Planning | Unknown | Supported: Services from WorshipTools Planning and charts from WorshipTools Charts sync with Presenter. |
| Hardware control | Unknown | Supported |
| MIDI | Unknown | Supported: MIDI mapping to control service items, over USB/5-pin or a network session; MIDI Out is also listed. |
| 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 | Supported |
| Multiple audience screens | Supported: Each connected display can receive content independently. | Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; unlimited outputs, each with its own layout (audience, stage, livestream lyrics). |
| Stage display / confidence monitor | Unknown | Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; companion stage display app for iPhone, iPad and Android. |
| Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming | Unknown | Supported: Lower-third lyrics templates are offered for livestream outputs. |
| Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Broadcast video | Supported | Supported |
| NDI | Supported: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays. | Supported: Outputs can be sent over the network as NDI. |
| 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 | Supported |
| Works fully offline | Supported | Supported: Offline mode runs existing and new services; YouTube and SongSelect import need a connection. |
| Remote control from phone or tablet | Unknown | Paid add-on or tier: Requires a Pro plan; remote app for iPhone, iPad and Android. |
| Multiple operators at once | Unknown | Supported: Multiple users can work on presentations from one account; simultaneous Presenter sessions require Pro Plus. |
| Web native (runs in a browser) | Unknown | Not supported |
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