Quick Overview
- 1#1: ProPresenter - Professional presentation software for churches with lyrics, media cues, and integrated live streaming to multiple platforms.
- 2#2: OBS Studio - Free open-source software for live video streaming and recording with customizable scenes and multi-platform support.
- 3#3: EasyWorship - Church media presentation software featuring song lyrics, scriptures, and built-in live streaming capabilities.
- 4#4: vMix - Professional live production switcher with streaming, NDI support, and advanced video effects for worship services.
- 5#5: Resi - Resilient cloud streaming platform designed for churches with automatic failover and multi-site broadcasting.
- 6#6: Wirecast - Professional live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, and simulcasting to platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
- 7#7: BoxCast - Cloud-based live streaming service tailored for churches with archiving, engagement tools, and easy hardware integration.
- 8#8: StreamYard - Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-guest broadcasts and overlays for church services.
- 9#9: Restream - Multi-platform live streaming service allowing simultaneous broadcasts to YouTube, Facebook, and church websites.
- 10#10: Switcher Studio - Mobile live switching app for iOS devices with multi-camera support and direct streaming for small church productions.
We selected and ranked these tools based on robust features (including media presentation, multi-platform support, and engagement tools), performance quality, ease of use, and overall value to provide church leaders with a reliable guide.
Comparison Table
Effective church live streaming bridges physical and digital pews, making worship accessible to diverse audiences. This comparison table breaks down top tools like ProPresenter, OBS Studio, EasyWorship, vMix, and Resi, guiding readers to match their needs with the right software.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ProPresenter Professional presentation software for churches with lyrics, media cues, and integrated live streaming to multiple platforms. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | OBS Studio Free open-source software for live video streaming and recording with customizable scenes and multi-platform support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 3 | EasyWorship Church media presentation software featuring song lyrics, scriptures, and built-in live streaming capabilities. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 4 | vMix Professional live production switcher with streaming, NDI support, and advanced video effects for worship services. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Resi Resilient cloud streaming platform designed for churches with automatic failover and multi-site broadcasting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 6 | Wirecast Professional live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, and simulcasting to platforms like YouTube and Facebook. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | BoxCast Cloud-based live streaming service tailored for churches with archiving, engagement tools, and easy hardware integration. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | StreamYard Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-guest broadcasts and overlays for church services. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Restream Multi-platform live streaming service allowing simultaneous broadcasts to YouTube, Facebook, and church websites. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Switcher Studio Mobile live switching app for iOS devices with multi-camera support and direct streaming for small church productions. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
Professional presentation software for churches with lyrics, media cues, and integrated live streaming to multiple platforms.
Free open-source software for live video streaming and recording with customizable scenes and multi-platform support.
Church media presentation software featuring song lyrics, scriptures, and built-in live streaming capabilities.
Professional live production switcher with streaming, NDI support, and advanced video effects for worship services.
Resilient cloud streaming platform designed for churches with automatic failover and multi-site broadcasting.
Professional live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, and simulcasting to platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
Cloud-based live streaming service tailored for churches with archiving, engagement tools, and easy hardware integration.
Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-guest broadcasts and overlays for church services.
Multi-platform live streaming service allowing simultaneous broadcasts to YouTube, Facebook, and church websites.
Mobile live switching app for iOS devices with multi-camera support and direct streaming for small church productions.
ProPresenter
specializedProfessional presentation software for churches with lyrics, media cues, and integrated live streaming to multiple platforms.
Direct multi-platform streaming with NDI and hardware I/O support, eliminating the need for external switchers in most church setups
ProPresenter is a professional presentation and media production software tailored for live events, especially church services, enabling seamless display of lyrics, scriptures, videos, and announcements across multiple screens. It excels in live streaming integration with platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo, supporting NDI for IP-based video workflows and broadcast-quality outputs. With advanced cueing, stage display modules, and MIDI/OSC control, it powers professional-grade worship productions from small congregations to large campuses.
Pros
- Unmatched integration with live streaming services and NDI for low-latency, multi-destination broadcasting
- Powerful media engine with 4K support, dynamic props, and automated lyric workflows
- Reliable multi-screen outputs including confidence monitors and stage displays for volunteer teams
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users despite intuitive interface updates
- Higher cost for full feature set including add-on modules like Stage Display
- Mac version more polished than Windows, with occasional platform-specific bugs
Best For
Mid-to-large churches seeking professional live production tools for high-quality streaming and multi-screen worship presentations.
Pricing
Annual subscription starts at $399/year per editor; perpetual licenses from $799 with $169/year support; additional modules like Stage Display extra.
OBS Studio
specializedFree open-source software for live video streaming and recording with customizable scenes and multi-platform support.
Advanced scene collections with unlimited transitions and hotkeys for real-time live production switching
OBS Studio is a free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming, enabling users to composite multiple sources like cameras, screens, and audio into professional broadcasts. For church live streaming, it excels in creating scenes for worship services, sermons, and overlays such as lyrics or lower thirds, with support for streaming to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. Its plugin ecosystem extends functionality for advanced needs like NDI networking for multi-camera setups.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no feature limits
- Powerful scene switching and multi-source compositing like a pro switcher
- Vast plugin library for church-specific tools like lyrics overlays and NDI
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Cluttered interface overwhelming for beginners
- Resource-intensive on lower-end hardware for multi-cam HD streaming
Best For
Tech-savvy church production teams seeking a highly customizable, no-cost solution for professional live streams.
Pricing
Free (open-source, donations encouraged)
EasyWorship
specializedChurch media presentation software featuring song lyrics, scriptures, and built-in live streaming capabilities.
Seamless PTZ camera control integrated with worship media cues for automated live service switching
EasyWorship is a church-focused media presentation software that integrates worship lyrics, scriptures, videos, and live streaming tools to create professional online services. It enables direct RTMP streaming to platforms like YouTube and Facebook, with NDI output for advanced setups and PTZ camera control for dynamic camera switching. Primarily built for Windows, it excels in overlaying worship elements onto live video but relies on additional hardware for full broadcast production.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup of lyrics and media cues during streams
- Built-in streaming to social platforms with lower thirds and alerts
- Strong integration with CCLI for licensed worship content
Cons
- Windows-only, limiting Mac or cross-platform use
- Perpetual license cost is high upfront without flexible free tiers
- Less robust for complex multi-camera productions compared to dedicated streaming software
Best For
Churches needing an easy-to-use, worship-specific tool for presentations and basic live streaming to social media.
Pricing
Perpetual license starts at $699; subscription options from $15/month per user, plus add-ons for advanced features.
vMix
enterpriseProfessional live production switcher with streaming, NDI support, and advanced video effects for worship services.
Advanced NDI support for seamless integration of networked cameras and devices without cabling
vMix is a professional-grade live production and streaming software that enables churches to switch between multiple camera feeds, incorporate graphics, lower thirds, and overlays in real-time. It supports high-quality streaming to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations, with features like NDI input/output for networked cameras and PTZ control. Ideal for multi-camera church services, it handles complex productions from worship bands to sermons with up to 4K output.
Pros
- Powerful multi-camera switching with unlimited inputs via NDI
- Built-in PTZ camera control and automation for dynamic shots
- Direct multi-platform streaming and recording in high quality
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring training for volunteers
- Windows-only, demanding high-end PC hardware
- Higher cost for full-featured editions
Best For
Tech-savvy church production teams handling multi-camera live streams with professional polish.
Pricing
One-time licenses from $60 (Basic) to $1,200 (Pro), with 4K and streaming editions at $695+; free trial available.
Resi
specializedResilient cloud streaming platform designed for churches with automatic failover and multi-site broadcasting.
Resilient Streaming technology that automatically bonds multiple internet connections for zero-downtime broadcasts
Resi (resi.io) is a professional live streaming platform specializing in resilient video delivery for churches and events, using bonded cellular and Wi-Fi technology to ensure streams never drop. It supports multi-camera setups, simultaneous broadcasting to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and church websites, and includes hardware encoders for high-quality production. Ideal for live church services, Resi provides 24/7 monitoring and support to maintain uninterrupted broadcasts even in unreliable network conditions.
Pros
- Unmatched stream reliability with bonded internet redundancy preventing dropouts during services
- Multi-platform simultaneous streaming and professional-grade hardware encoders
- 24/7 white-glove support tailored for live events like worship services
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs (encoders start at $999)
- Steeper learning curve for setup compared to plug-and-play alternatives
- Subscription pricing can be premium for smaller churches with basic needs
Best For
Mid-to-large churches or multi-campus ministries prioritizing bulletproof reliability for live services over budget constraints.
Pricing
Plans start at $99/month (Solo) up to $999+/month (enterprise); hardware encoders $999–$4,995 one-time.
Wirecast
enterpriseProfessional live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, and simulcasting to platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
Unlimited inputs with professional switcher and integrated PTZ tally/control for seamless multi-camera church productions
Wirecast is a professional live video production and streaming software from Telestream, enabling multi-camera switching, graphics overlays, transitions, and high-quality streaming to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and church websites. It supports church live streaming with features like PTZ camera control, lower thirds for lyrics/scripture, ISO recording for archiving sermons, and NDI for IP-based workflows in larger venues. Ideal for creating broadcast-quality worship services, it handles complex productions but requires capable hardware.
Pros
- Powerful multi-camera switching and PTZ control
- Advanced graphics, titles, and virtual sets for worship elements
- Reliable multi-platform streaming and ISO recording
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-professionals
- Requires high-end Mac or Windows hardware
- Premium pricing not ideal for small churches
Best For
Mid-to-large churches with dedicated AV teams aiming for professional broadcast-quality live streams.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $599 (Studio) or $999 (Pro); annual subscriptions from $299/year (Studio) or $599/year (Pro).
BoxCast
specializedCloud-based live streaming service tailored for churches with archiving, engagement tools, and easy hardware integration.
Hardware BoxCasters that connect via HDMI/SDI for instant, reliable streaming with zero-configuration setup
BoxCast is a user-friendly live streaming platform tailored for churches, offering hardware encoders (BoxCasters) and cloud-based software to broadcast services reliably. It enables simultaneous streaming to over 30 destinations like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and its own customizable player, with automatic archiving for on-demand playback. The service includes scheduling tools, viewer analytics, and mobile app control, making it ideal for non-technical church staff to deliver professional broadcasts.
Pros
- Plug-and-play hardware encoders simplify setup for non-tech users
- Reliable multi-platform streaming to 30+ destinations simultaneously
- Automatic archiving and on-demand playback with analytics
Cons
- Upfront hardware costs ($500–$2,000+) add to expenses
- Limited advanced customization for graphics or overlays
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small churches
Best For
Small to medium churches seeking a hassle-free, hardware-supported live streaming solution without IT expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic streaming (plus one-time hardware purchase); higher tiers up to $299/month for advanced features and unlimited storage.
StreamYard
specializedBrowser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-guest broadcasts and overlays for church services.
Effortless multistreaming to 8+ platforms directly from the browser, with seamless guest invites for remote worship leaders or panel discussions
StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming platform designed for easy broadcasting to multiple destinations like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitch simultaneously. It enables churches to host professional-looking services with features like guest invitations, screen sharing, custom overlays, and live comment moderation. No software downloads are required, making it accessible for volunteers and non-technical staff to stream sermons, worship sessions, and events effortlessly.
Pros
- Intuitive browser interface with no downloads needed, perfect for quick setup during services
- Multistreaming to multiple platforms at once, maximizing church reach
- Live comment display and moderation to engage virtual congregations
Cons
- Limited advanced production tools like multi-camera switching or NDI support for complex setups
- HD recording and unlimited streaming require paid plans, which may strain small church budgets
- No native integrations with church management software like Planning Center or Church Online Platform
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking a simple, reliable way to live stream services without investing in hardware or training tech teams.
Pricing
Free Basic plan (watermarked, 20-hour limit); Professional $25/mo (billed annually) for HD and branding; Business $49/mo (annual) for teams and analytics; Enterprise custom.
Restream
specializedMulti-platform live streaming service allowing simultaneous broadcasts to YouTube, Facebook, and church websites.
Simultaneous multistreaming to over 30 platforms from a single source
Restream is a versatile multistreaming platform that allows users to broadcast live video to over 30 destinations simultaneously, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and church websites, using encoders like OBS Studio. It provides tools for chat aggregation from multiple platforms, real-time analytics, and stream scheduling to enhance audience engagement. For churches, it simplifies reaching wider congregations across social media without needing separate setups for each platform.
Pros
- Multistreaming to 30+ platforms from one encoder
- Aggregated chat from all connected platforms
- Seamless integration with OBS and other RTMP tools
Cons
- No built-in church-specific features like tithe collection or sermon notes
- Free plan limited by watermarks and single platform streaming
- Premium features require paid plans that may strain small church budgets
Best For
Tech-savvy churches seeking to simultaneously live stream services to multiple social media platforms for broader reach.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; Standard at $16/month (1 channel, no watermark), Professional $41/month (more destinations), Business $83/month (teams and advanced tools).
Switcher Studio
specializedMobile live switching app for iOS devices with multi-camera support and direct streaming for small church productions.
Wireless multi-camera production using iOS devices as both cameras and switcher
Switcher Studio is a mobile-first video switcher that transforms iOS devices like iPhones and iPads into a wireless multi-camera production system for live streaming. Churches can use it to switch between multiple smartphone cameras during services, add basic graphics and titles, and stream directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Church Online Platform. It's designed for easy setup without dedicated hardware, making it accessible for volunteer-run productions.
Pros
- Affordable wireless multi-camera switching using everyday iPhones
- Intuitive app-based interface ideal for non-technical volunteers
- Seamless RTMP streaming to major platforms with low hardware needs
Cons
- Relies heavily on stable WiFi, which can cause issues in larger venues
- Limited advanced graphics, tally lights, or worship software integrations
- iOS-only ecosystem excludes Android users and requires multiple devices
Best For
Small to medium churches seeking a simple, budget-friendly multi-camera streaming setup with volunteer operators.
Pricing
$49/month or $499/year for Pro plan (unlimited switching and streaming); free 14-day trial.
Conclusion
ProPresenter leads as the top choice, combining professional presentation tools with seamless live streaming for a comprehensive worship experience. OBS Studio and EasyWorship follow, offering open-source flexibility and intuitive lyric/scripture support—strong alternatives catering to different needs like cost, simplicity, or specialized features. Together, these options highlight the breadth of tools available to churches, ensuring every community can find the right fit.
Take the next step in enhancing your church’s connection: explore ProPresenter to unlock its robust capabilities and stream your worship services with confidence and impact.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison