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Quelea vs WordsLive

Quelea logo
Quelea

Free, open-source Java-based projection software for churches.

  • Open Source
  • Free
  • Unmaintained
WordsLive logo
WordsLive

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

  • Open Source
  • Free

Summary

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  • Note: Quelea is no longer actively maintained.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

Only in Quelea

  • Runs on macOS
  • Runs on Linux
  • Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics (partial in WordsLive)
  • Slides & presentations: PDF (partial in WordsLive)
  • Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts (partial in WordsLive)

Only in WordsLive

No confirmed features where Quelea 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 Quelea logo Quelea WordsLive logo WordsLive
Overview
Price FreeFree
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0-or-later)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 Supported: Imports from EasyWorship, ProPresenter, MediaShout, OpenLP, OpenSong, SongBeamer, VideoPsalm, ZionWorx, SongPro, Sunday Plus, EasySlides and more, plus Elvanto plans. 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: Plain-text song files (with optional ChordPro chords) can be imported, and lyrics can be typed or pasted into the song editor. Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Partial: Imports downloaded SongSelect USR files; no direct online SongSelect connection. 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: Songs can hold chord lines, which can be transposed, printed and shown on the stage view. Supported: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported: Themes can use a video as the background. Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
CCLI usage reporting Unknown 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: KJV, ASV, RSV and NET Bibles ship with Quelea; further Bibles use the Zefania XML format. Unknown
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported Supported
PowerPoint Supported: Displays PowerPoint and PDF files, optionally driving an installed PowerPoint on Windows. 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 Supported Partial: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental).
Plays slide animations & transitions Partial: Animations only play when Quelea is set to use an installed PowerPoint (Windows). 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 Supported Unknown
Inputs & other sources Supported Partial
Live camera / capture card Unknown Unknown
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Supported: Websites can be displayed, with documented limitations. Unknown
Countdown timers & clocks Supported Unknown
On-screen messages & alerts Supported: Notices scroll across the projected display a set number of times. 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 translated into over 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: A song translation can be shown together with the default lyrics. 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 Supported Unknown
Planning Center Supported: Imports schedules from Planning Center Online. 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 Partial Unknown
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Partial: The Mobile Remote HTTP server exposes endpoints (next, previous, lyrics, schedule, search) but is not documented as a public API. 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 Unknown
Multiple audience screens Unknown Unknown
Stage display / confidence monitor Supported Unknown
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown Unknown
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Partial: Mobile Lyrics shows the current lyrics as a web page on the local network. Unknown
Broadcast video Unknown Unknown
NDI Unknown 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 Supported: Web-based Mobile Remote and a Quelea Mobile Remote app. Unknown
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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