WordsLive

Name: WordsLive
Author: WordsLive project

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

Open Source
Free

Overview

WordsLive is a free, open-source worship projection program for Windows, created as a successor to the discontinued Powerpraise and natively supporting its songs and portfolios. It presents songs from a central full-text-searchable library alongside videos, music, PowerPoint and LibreOffice presentations, PDF documents and images, and supports chord display with transposition. Songs can be imported from SongSelect, SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro formats. The software is still labelled beta and is maintained by a small volunteer team.

Supported platforms

Windows

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: Native Powerpraise songs and portfolios; songs can also be imported from SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro files.
- Paste or import plain-text lyrics Unknown
- Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) 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: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
- Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Partial: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
- CCLI usage reporting Partial: Songs can be stored with CCLI numbers, and a command opens CCLI Online Reporting in the browser for the selected songs.
Bible Unknown
- Free translations included Unknown
- Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown
Slides & presentations Supported
- PowerPoint Supported: PowerPoint (ppt, pptx) and OpenDocument (odp) presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 or LibreOffice/OpenOffice Impress to be installed.
- Keynote Unknown
- Google Slides Unknown
- Canva Unknown
- PDF Partial: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental).
- Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown
Media Supported
- Video playback Supported: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
- Audio playback Supported
- Images Supported: Photos can be compiled into an optionally timer-controlled slide show.
- YouTube / online video Unknown
Inputs & other sources Partial
- Live camera / capture card Unknown
- Screen sharing Unknown
- Web pages Unknown
- Countdown timers & clocks Unknown
- On-screen messages & alerts Partial: An additional notification for the audience can be shown during a presentation (experimental).
- Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown

Languages

Multilingual Supported
- Interface in multiple languages Supported: Interface in English and German.
- Songs in other languages Supported
- Bibles in other languages Unknown
- Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own.
- Bible translations side by side Unknown
- 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 Unknown
- Multiple audience screens Unknown
- 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 Unknown
- NDI Unknown
- 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) Not supported

Notes

Songs & lyrics: Import from other presentation software:: Native Powerpraise songs and portfolios; songs can also be imported from SongBeamer, OpenSong, OpenLyrics and ChordPro files.
Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources):: Songs can be imported from SongSelect files or text copied to the clipboard; there is no direct online search.
Songs & lyrics: Chord charts for musicians:: Chords can be shown with the lyrics and transposed automatically.
Songs & lyrics: Motion backgrounds behind lyrics:: Background images for slides, songs or the whole service; background videos are experimental.
Songs & lyrics: CCLI usage reporting:: Songs can be stored with CCLI numbers, and a command opens CCLI Online Reporting in the browser for the selected songs.
Slides & presentations: PowerPoint:: PowerPoint (ppt, pptx) and OpenDocument (odp) presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 or LibreOffice/OpenOffice Impress to be installed.
Slides & presentations: PDF:: PDF and XPS documents are supported (experimental).
Media: Video playback:: Additional formats are supported if VLC is installed and enabled.
Media: Images:: Photos can be compiled into an optionally timer-controlled slide show.
Inputs & other sources: On-screen messages & alerts:: An additional notification for the audience can be shown during a presentation (experimental).
Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages:: Interface in English and German.
Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen:: Songs can carry a translation, shown alongside the main language or on its own.

Frequently asked questions

What is WordsLive?

WordsLive is church presentation software by WordsLive project. Free, open-source Windows projection software for lyrics, videos and presentations.

How much does WordsLive cost?

WordsLive is free to use.

What platforms does WordsLive run on?

WordsLive runs on Windows.

Is WordsLive open source?

Yes. WordsLive is open source under the GPL-3.0 license.

Which slide formats can WordsLive show?

WordsLive supports PowerPoint.

What are the best alternatives to WordsLive?

Similar tools include FreeShow, ChurchPresenter, OpenLP, VideoPsalm, and EasiSlides.

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