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Presentation Manager vs SongBeamer

Presentation Manager logo
Presentation Manager

Long-running Windows worship projection software with a built-in song database and Bibles.

  • One-time
  • Free Trial
SongBeamer

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

  • One-time
  • Free Trial

Summary

  • Presentation Manager is paid (US$200 one-time (Standard)), while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
  • Both run on Windows.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics · Bible: Free translations included · Media: Video playback · Media: Images · Inputs & other sources: Live camera / capture card · Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks · Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts · Multilingual: Bibles in other languages · Multilingual: Bible translations side by side · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Presentation Manager

  • Bible: Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) (paid add-on in SongBeamer)

Only in SongBeamer

  • Runs on macOS
  • Slides & presentations: PowerPoint (partial in Presentation Manager)
  • Media: YouTube / online video
  • Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages (partial in Presentation Manager)

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 Presentation Manager logo Presentation Manager SongBeamer
Overview
Price US$200 one-time (Standard)Free trial€124 one-time (single computer)Free trial
Open source NoNo
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
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: The Professional package includes over 500 songs, and songs can be added without limit; a built-in editor handles formatting. 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 Unknown Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Unknown 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 Supported: The Professional package includes over 100 video backgrounds, and text can be shown over movies. Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds.
CCLI usage reporting Unknown 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: Public-domain Bibles are included and more are available from pmBible.com. Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Supported: The Professional package includes KJV, NIV, NKJV, NRSV, NASB, ESV and Amplified; the Standard package has less data. Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each).
Slides & presentations Partial Supported
PowerPoint Partial: PowerPoint files can be played on the Windows version only with PowerPoint installed; the pricing page says PM7 itself does not play PowerPoint and runs alongside it. 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 Supported: Movies and DVDs play on one or both screens, with movie-in-movie and picture-in-picture; some formats need codecs. Supported
Audio playback Unknown Supported
Images Supported Supported
YouTube / online video Not supported: The FAQ advises downloading and converting online videos, so they are not played directly. Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time.
Inputs & other sources Supported Supported
Live camera / capture card Supported: Text can be overlaid on live video from webcams or capture cards. 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 Supported: Countdown timer added in release 7.319. Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view.
On-screen messages & alerts Supported: A Nursery Alert box displays numbers or messages during worship. 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 Partial: The changelog mentions multi-language selection with not all translations complete. Supported: Interface in German and English.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Supported Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Unknown Supported: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen.
Bible translations side by side Supported: Two Bible translations, including different languages, can be shown at once and switched on the fly. 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 Supported: Different presentations can be shown on two projectors at once (triple monitor support). 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 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: An internet connection is only needed for optional RSS feeds and remote data or playlist access. 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) Not supported Not supported

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