OpenLP

OpenLP is church worship-presentation software that brings songs, scripture, presentations, and media into a service workflow. It best suits churches seeking a free, open-source tool with remote control and no per-install fees. Its broad worship features are useful, but presentation integrations vary by platform.

Overview

Developed since 2004, OpenLP combines searchable song and Bible verse databases with service ordering and projection. Teams can display material immediately or prepare a service order in advance, then run presentations, video, and audio from the same program. Its GNU General Public License permits use, distribution, and modification, making it a practical choice for churches that want to install it on as many copies as needed without licensing costs.

Key features

• Service content: Searchable songs and Bible verses can be projected on demand or added to a prepared service order. That supports both planned services and material selected as the service unfolds.
• Presentations and media: OpenLP runs PowerPoint and OpenOffice presentations, videos, and audio. VLC integration supports a wide variety of media formats. Importing and controlling presentations through PowerPoint, PowerPoint Viewer, and LibreOffice Impress depends on the platform, so churches should confirm compatibility with their intended setup.
• Remote control and stage view: A web app lets users control slides and search content from network-connected devices; free Android and iOS remote apps offer another control option. Stage view is accessible in a browser on the local network. These features are useful for teams that need control or stage information away from the presentation computer, but they rely on devices sharing the network.
• Integrations and imports: A plugin imports service plans from the Planning Center Online v2 API, while an OBS Studio plugin controls scenes and sources from OpenLP. Song imports support CCLI SongSelect, EasyWorship, ProPresenter 4, and SongShow Plus, which can help churches bring existing material into the workflow.
• Support and security: The project provides a manual, troubleshooting guide, and community forums, and its volunteer developers also help users. OpenLP says it uses SSL to connect to its download servers and CCLI SongSelect.

Pricing

OpenLP — free. The free plan is free to download and use, open source, and can be installed on as many copies as needed. There is no free trial because there is no paid plan to trial. This suits churches that want broad service-projection functionality without per-copy charges; users should note that the project describes the Flatpak as experimental and unsupported by its team.

Platforms

OpenLP supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Its web app and browser-based stage view extend control to local-network devices, while the Flatpak option is explicitly experimental and unsupported. Presentation integrations are platform-dependent, so support for a listed platform does not guarantee every integration works there.

Who it's for

OpenLP is a strong fit for churches that need searchable worship content, service ordering, media playback, and remote control in one free program. It is especially compelling where open-source licensing and installation across multiple copies matter. Churches whose service workflow depends on a particular presentation integration should verify its platform support, and teams wanting supported Flatpak distribution should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No per-copy fees: The free, open-source license permits installation on as many copies as needed, avoiding seat or installation charges.
• Broad worship workflow: Searchable songs and scripture, service plans, presentations, audio, and video cover more than projection of lyrics alone.
• Remote options: Web control, local-network stage view, and free Android and iOS remote apps give teams several ways to work away from the main computer.
• Useful import paths: Song imports and integrations with Planning Center and OBS can connect OpenLP to existing church workflows.

Cons

• Presentation support varies: Integration with PowerPoint, PowerPoint Viewer, and LibreOffice Impress depends on platform, limiting predictability for mixed-device setups.
• Flatpak is unsupported: Churches relying on that installation option should expect no support from the OpenLP team.
• Volunteer-led assistance: Support through documentation, forums, and volunteer developers may not suit churches that require formal vendor support.

Alternatives

Holyrics is worth considering for churches that want a freemium option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows; its Basic plan is $5 a month for up to 3 computers and 30 apps, while Advanced is $10 a month for up to 10 computers and 100 apps.

VerseVIEW is another free option, with a Free forever plan, no ads, and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

WorshipTools Presenter may suit teams comfortable with a free tier capped at 500 MB cloud storage, 10 users, and 15 items per service, with unlimited services and songs.

Church Presenter offers a free forever option under GNU GPL v3, with no subscription and no seat limits.

SongShow Plus is a paid alternative with a free trial and support for Android, iOS, web, and Windows.

DisplayWord offers a free church plan with a hall screen, Bible and song library, editor, PDF chord sheets, offline use, media, and backgrounds; it also has a free trial.

FreeShow is a free presentation-software option for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; its maker says it will always be free.

MakeChurchEasy has a freemium plan with a cap of 10 songs, lyrics, and media, five Bible versions, and a 30-minute speech-to-scripture trial.

For broader comparisons, browse Church Presentation Software and Presentation software.

Verdict

Choose OpenLP if your church wants a no-cost, open-source system for worship content, media, and remote control that can be installed across multiple computers. Its strongest advantage is the breadth of its service workflow without copy fees. Look elsewhere if you depend on a specific presentation integration without platform flexibility or need a supported Flatpak release.