SongBeamer vs WordsLive
SongBeamer
German worship presentation software for songs, Bible texts and media, sold as a one-time licence.
- One-time
- Free Trial
WordsLive
Free, open-source Windows projection software for lyrics, videos and presentations.
- Open Source
- Free
Summary
- SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)), while WordsLive is free.
- WordsLive is open source (GPL-3.0); SongBeamer is proprietary.
- Both run on Windows.
- 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 SongBeamer
- 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)
- Slides & presentations: PDF (partial in WordsLive)
- Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts (partial in WordsLive)
Only in WordsLive
No confirmed features where SongBeamer 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 | SongBeamer |
WordsLive
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price | €124 one-time (single computer)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 | Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV. | Supported: Native Powerpraise songs and portfolios; songs can also be imported from SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro files. |
| Paste or import plain-text lyrics | Unknown | Unknown |
| Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) | Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates. | 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 be projected and printed with chords, with transposition. | Supported: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically. |
| Motion backgrounds behind lyrics | Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds. | Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental. |
| CCLI usage reporting | Supported: Optional automatic reporting to CCLI, added in version 6.0, available while entitled to updates; VG Musikedition reports can be exported too. | 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: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML. | Unknown |
| Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) | Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each). | Unknown |
| Slides & presentations | Supported | Supported |
| PowerPoint | Supported: PowerPoint and LibreOffice files can be added to the schedule; requires PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer or LibreOffice. | 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 |
| Supported | Partial: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental). | |
| Plays slide animations & transitions | Unknown | 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: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time. | Unknown |
| Inputs & other sources | Supported | Partial |
| Live camera / capture card | Supported: Live video from a camera or capture device can be shown behind text. | Unknown |
| Screen sharing | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web pages | Supported: Web pages can be added to the schedule and displayed. | Unknown |
| Countdown timers & clocks | Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view. | Unknown |
| On-screen messages & alerts | Supported: Spontaneous messages to the congregation can be shown over the presentation. | 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: Interface in German and English. | Supported: Interface in English and German. |
| Songs in other languages | Supported | Supported |
| Bibles in other languages | Supported | Unknown |
| Bilingual lyrics on screen | Supported: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen. | Supported: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own. |
| Bible translations side by side | Supported: Up to two Bible translations can be shown at once. | Unknown |
| Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts | Partial: Unicode text such as Cyrillic is supported; the changelog notes right-to-left output (e.g. Arabic) is not yet fully correct. | Unknown |
| Integrations | ||
| Software integrations | Unknown | Unknown |
| Planning Center | Unknown | Unknown |
| ChurchSuite | Unknown | Unknown |
| WorshipTools Planning | Unknown | Unknown |
| Hardware control | Supported | Unknown |
| MIDI | Supported: Control via MIDI and OSC. | Unknown |
| DMX lighting | Unknown | Unknown |
| Stream Deck / Companion | Unknown | Unknown |
| Automation & extensibility | Supported | Unknown |
| Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) | Partial: Remote control over the network via OSC; no HTTP or WebSocket API is documented. | Unknown |
| Plugins / extensions | Unknown | Unknown |
| Built-in scripting / macros | Supported: SongBeamer Script macros can be run from menus or added to the schedule. | 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: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta). | Unknown |
| Stage display / confidence monitor | Supported | Unknown |
| Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming | Supported: NDI output has its own formatting and an optional background colour for keying. | Unknown |
| Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Broadcast video | Supported | Unknown |
| NDI | Supported: Text output to OBS Studio and other software via NDI or a text file. | 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: SongBeamer Remote app for iPhone and iPad. | Unknown |
| Multiple operators at once | Unknown | Unknown |
| Web native (runs in a browser) | Not supported | Not supported |
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