Praisenter

Name: Praisenter
Author: William Bittle

Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.

Open Source
Free

Overview

Praisenter is a free, open-source church presentation application developed by William Bittle. It displays Bible verses, song lyrics, notifications and custom slides on secondary displays, with customizable templates, transitions and side-by-side display of two languages or Bible versions. Content is organised into workspaces and can be exported and imported between computers. It is distributed through the Microsoft Store, the Snap Store and the Mac App Store.

Supported platforms

Features

Supported Supported
Partial Partial
Paid add-on or tier Paid add-on / tier
Not supported Not supported
Unknown Unknown
* Hover or tap for note

Content

Songs & lyrics Supported
- Song library Supported
- Import from other presentation software Supported: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chord charts for musicians Unknown
- Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Supported: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background.
- CCLI usage reporting Unknown
Bible Partial
- Free translations included Partial: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported.
- Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown
Slides & presentations Unknown
- PowerPoint Unknown
- Keynote Unknown
- Google Slides Unknown
- Canva Unknown
- PDF Unknown
- Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown
Media Supported
- Video playback Supported
- Audio playback Supported
- Images Supported
- YouTube / online video Unknown
Inputs & other sources Supported
- Live camera / capture card Unknown
- Screen sharing Unknown
- Web pages Unknown
- Countdown timers & clocks Supported: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns.
- On-screen messages & alerts Supported: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed.
- Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown

Languages

Multilingual Supported
- Interface in multiple languages Partial: The interface ships in English only; users can add their own translation of the messages file.
- Songs in other languages Supported
- Bibles in other languages Supported
- Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template.
- Bible translations side by side Supported: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide.
- Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown

Integrations

Software integrations Unknown
- Planning Center Unknown
- ChurchSuite Unknown
- WorshipTools Planning Unknown
Hardware control Unknown
- MIDI Unknown
- DMX lighting Unknown
- Stream Deck / Companion Unknown
Automation & extensibility Unknown
- Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown
- Plugins / extensions Unknown
- Built-in scripting / macros Unknown
- Webhooks / triggers to other systems Unknown
- MCP server for AI assistants Unknown
- AI features (e.g. verse detection, lyric formatting) Unknown

Presenting & control

Screens & outputs Supported
- Multiple audience screens Supported: Each connected display can receive content independently.
- Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown
- Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown
- Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown
Broadcast video Supported
- NDI Supported: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays.
- SDI Unknown
Built-in streaming & recording Unknown
- Stream to any RTMP destination Unknown
- YouTube Live Unknown
- Facebook Live Unknown
- Record the output to a file Unknown
TV output Unknown
- Apple TV app Unknown
- Android / Google TV app Unknown
- Fire TV app Unknown
- Roku app Unknown
- Chromecast / AirPlay Unknown
Connectivity & collaboration Supported
- Cloud sync of library Unknown
- Works fully offline Supported
- Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown
- Multiple operators at once Unknown
- Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown

Notes

Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software:: Imports OpenLyrics, ChordPro, SongSelect and ChurchView song files plus older Praisenter formats.
Songs & lyrics: Paste or import plain-text lyrics:: Lyrics can be pasted into the bulk editor, and text can be extracted from a PDF into it.
Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources):: Imports SongSelect files downloaded by the user (since 3.1.7); there is no online SongSelect connection.
Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics:: Slides and slide templates can use a video as their background.
Bible: Free translations included:: Only a sample Bible is included; free Bibles are downloaded separately (Unbound, Zefania or OpenSong formats) and imported.
Inputs & other sources: Countdown timers & clocks:: Slides can include the current date/time and countdowns.
Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts:: Notifications overlay a message on top of whatever is currently displayed.
Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages:: The interface ships in English only; users can add their own translation of the messages file.
Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen:: A primary and secondary set of song lyrics can be shown side by side with a suitable template.
Multilingual: Bible translations side by side:: A primary and secondary Bible can be shown on the same slide.
Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens:: Each connected display can receive content independently.
Broadcast video: NDI:: Outputs can be sent as NDI displays.

Frequently asked questions

What is Praisenter?

Praisenter is church presentation software by William Bittle. Free, open-source desktop app for showing Bible verses, song lyrics and slides.

How much does Praisenter cost?

Praisenter is free to use.

What platforms does Praisenter run on?

Praisenter runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Is Praisenter open source?

Yes. Praisenter is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license.

Does Praisenter include a Bible?

Praisenter has limited Bible support.

What are the best alternatives to Praisenter?

Similar tools include FreeShow, ChurchPresenter, Holyrics, OpenLP, and SongBeamer.

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