ProPresenter vs WordsLive

ProPresenter

Live presentation and production software for worship services, events and broadcast.

Subscription
Free Trial

WordsLive

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

Open Source
Free

Summary

ProPresenter is paid ($289/year (one seat)), while WordsLive is free.
WordsLive is open source (GPL-3.0); ProPresenter is proprietary.
Both run on Windows.
Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians · Slides & presentations: PowerPoint · Media: Video playback · Media: Audio playback · Media: Images · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in ProPresenter

Runs on macOS
Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in WordsLive)
Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in WordsLive)
Songs & lyrics: CCLI usage reporting (partial in WordsLive)
Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts (partial in WordsLive)

Only in WordsLive

No confirmed features where ProPresenter falls short.

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	ProPresenter	WordsLive
Overview
Price	$289/year (one seat)Free trial	Free
Open source	No	Yes (GPL-3.0)
Deployment	Desktop app	Desktop app
Status	active	active
Platforms
Windows	Supported	Supported
macOS	Supported	Not 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	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	Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources)	Supported: Requires a SongSelect subscription and CCLI licence.	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: Chord charts can be shown on stage screens (e.g. from Planning Center or MultiTracks).	Supported: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics	Supported	Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
CCLI usage reporting	Supported: Songs triggered from presentations with a CCLI number can be auto-reported once SongSelect is signed in.	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: 130+ translations in 25+ languages are available in the Bible module.	Unknown
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.)	Paid add-on or tier: Some translations are sold separately.	Unknown
Slides & presentations	Supported	Supported
PowerPoint	Supported: Since 21.2, .pptx files can be imported natively as editable presentations without PowerPoint installed.	Supported: PowerPoint (ppt, pptx) and OpenDocument (odp) presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 or LibreOffice/OpenOffice Impress to be installed.
Keynote	Partial: Keynote files are not converted; on Mac they are triggered from a playlist and Keynote takes over the output.	Unknown
Google Slides	Unknown	Unknown
Canva	Unknown	Unknown
PDF	Unknown	Partial: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental).
Plays slide animations & transitions	Partial: The native PowerPoint importer keeps simple builds and transitions; emphasis and some other animations are not supported.	Unknown
Media	Supported	Supported
Video playback	Supported	Supported: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
Audio playback	Supported	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	Supported	Unknown
Screen sharing	Supported: AirCast (added in 18) receives AirPlay screens and audio as inputs.	Unknown
Web pages	Supported: Web pages can be shown as a web fill on slides.	Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks	Supported	Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts	Supported	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	Unknown	Supported: Interface in English and German.
Songs in other languages	Unknown	Supported
Bibles in other languages	Supported	Unknown
Bilingual lyrics on screen	Unknown	Supported: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own.
Bible translations side by side	Supported: Multiple translations can be shown on one slide using a theme with one text box per translation.	Unknown
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts	Supported	Unknown
Integrations
Software integrations	Supported	Unknown
Planning Center	Supported: Planning Center Services plans can be added as playlists; requires a separate Planning Center subscription.	Unknown
ChurchSuite	Unknown	Unknown
WorshipTools Planning	Unknown	Unknown
Hardware control	Supported	Unknown
MIDI	Supported	Unknown
DMX lighting	Supported	Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion	Supported: Official Elgato Stream Deck plugin since 7.9; Bitfocus Companion also has a ProPresenter module.	Unknown
Automation & extensibility	Supported	Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket)	Supported: Public network API (OpenAPI spec) introduced in ProPresenter 7.9; older TCP/IP control also exists.	Unknown
Plugins / extensions	Unknown	Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros	Supported: Macros run multi-step action sequences from a slide, a device or on demand.	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	Unknown
Multiple audience screens	Supported: Up to 8 unique outputs; multiple computers can be linked with Network Link.	Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor	Supported	Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming	Supported: Separate key/fill outputs are available for broadcast graphics.	Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source)	Unknown	Unknown
Broadcast video	Supported	Unknown
NDI	Supported	Unknown
SDI	Supported	Unknown
Built-in streaming & recording	Supported	Unknown
Stream to any RTMP destination	Supported: The Capture feature streams any output over RTMP, records it to disk, or both; Resi streaming is also supported.	Unknown
YouTube Live	Supported	Unknown
Facebook Live	Supported	Unknown
Record the output to a file	Supported	Unknown
TV output	Paid add-on or tier	Unknown
Apple TV app	Paid add-on or tier: Via ProDisplay (separate per-screen subscription), which runs on Apple TV and select Google TV devices.	Unknown
Android / Google TV app	Paid add-on or tier: Via ProDisplay on select Google TV devices (separate per-screen subscription).	Unknown
Fire TV app	Unknown	Unknown
Roku app	Unknown	Unknown
Chromecast / AirPlay	Unknown	Unknown
Connectivity & collaboration	Supported	Supported
Cloud sync of library	Supported: ProPresenter Cloud syncs playlists, media and settings between machines.	Unknown
Works fully offline	Supported	Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet	Supported: ProPresenter Remote app is included with an active subscription.	Unknown
Multiple operators at once	Partial: ProPresenter Cloud (beta in 22) lets others prepare playlists and make mid-service changes while an operator presents.	Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser)	Not supported	Not supported

ProPresenter vs WordsLive

Summary

Only in ProPresenter

Only in WordsLive

Side by side

Other comparisons