Quick Overview
- 1#1: ProPresenter - Professional worship presentation software with NDI output, multi-screen support, and integrated live streaming for church services.
- 2#2: StreamYard - Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-platform broadcasts, guest invites, and branded overlays for church audiences.
- 3#3: BoxCast - Cloud-based streaming platform optimized for churches with scheduling, DVR playback, and simulcasting to multiple destinations.
- 4#4: OBS Studio - Free open-source tool for live streaming and recording with customizable scenes, plugins, and multi-camera support popular in churches.
- 5#5: Resi - Resilient streaming hardware and software solution providing automatic failover for uninterrupted church livestreams.
- 6#6: vMix - Professional live production software supporting 4K video, unlimited inputs, PTZ cameras, and direct streaming for church broadcasts.
- 7#7: Restream - Multistreaming service that broadcasts church services simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms.
- 8#8: Wirecast - Advanced live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, ISO recording, and professional encoding for church productions.
- 9#9: EasyWorship - Church media presentation software with lyrics, videos, scripture integration, and live stream output capabilities.
- 10#10: Planning Center - Church management platform with online services tools for scheduling, live streaming, and audience engagement during services.
We evaluated these tools based on critical factors like feature strength (including multi-platform support, reliability, and integration capabilities), ease of use for small teams, and overall value, ensuring each entry delivers robust performance for modern church broadcasting demands.
Comparison Table
Explore top church livestream software with this comparison table, featuring ProPresenter, StreamYard, BoxCast, OBS Studio, Resi, and more. This guide outlines key features, usability, and practical fit for various church needs, helping you choose the ideal tool to elevate your worship broadcasts.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ProPresenter Professional worship presentation software with NDI output, multi-screen support, and integrated live streaming for church services. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | StreamYard Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-platform broadcasts, guest invites, and branded overlays for church audiences. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | BoxCast Cloud-based streaming platform optimized for churches with scheduling, DVR playback, and simulcasting to multiple destinations. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | OBS Studio Free open-source tool for live streaming and recording with customizable scenes, plugins, and multi-camera support popular in churches. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 5 | Resi Resilient streaming hardware and software solution providing automatic failover for uninterrupted church livestreams. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | vMix Professional live production software supporting 4K video, unlimited inputs, PTZ cameras, and direct streaming for church broadcasts. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | Restream Multistreaming service that broadcasts church services simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Wirecast Advanced live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, ISO recording, and professional encoding for church productions. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | EasyWorship Church media presentation software with lyrics, videos, scripture integration, and live stream output capabilities. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Planning Center Church management platform with online services tools for scheduling, live streaming, and audience engagement during services. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Professional worship presentation software with NDI output, multi-screen support, and integrated live streaming for church services.
Browser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-platform broadcasts, guest invites, and branded overlays for church audiences.
Cloud-based streaming platform optimized for churches with scheduling, DVR playback, and simulcasting to multiple destinations.
Free open-source tool for live streaming and recording with customizable scenes, plugins, and multi-camera support popular in churches.
Resilient streaming hardware and software solution providing automatic failover for uninterrupted church livestreams.
Professional live production software supporting 4K video, unlimited inputs, PTZ cameras, and direct streaming for church broadcasts.
Multistreaming service that broadcasts church services simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms.
Advanced live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, ISO recording, and professional encoding for church productions.
Church media presentation software with lyrics, videos, scripture integration, and live stream output capabilities.
Church management platform with online services tools for scheduling, live streaming, and audience engagement during services.
ProPresenter
specializedProfessional worship presentation software with NDI output, multi-screen support, and integrated live streaming for church services.
NDI output enabling zero-configuration, broadcast-quality video feeds to streaming software
ProPresenter is a professional presentation software widely used in churches for managing lyrics, scriptures, videos, and announcements during live worship services. It excels in multi-screen outputs, including audience displays, stage monitors, and NDI streams for seamless integration with livestream tools like OBS Studio. With advanced cueing, media libraries, and customizable templates, it powers high-quality church productions both in-person and online.
Pros
- Industry-leading lyric and media management with precise cue control
- Native NDI output for low-latency livestream integration
- Robust multi-screen support including stage display and audience screens
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- High upfront licensing cost
- Requires companion software like OBS for complete streaming workflows
Best For
Churches and houses of worship needing top-tier presentation tools for professional live services and high-quality livestreams.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $399 for ProPresenter 7; optional $149/year subscription for updates and cloud features; additional modules extra.
StreamYard
specializedBrowser-based live streaming studio enabling easy multi-platform broadcasts, guest invites, and branded overlays for church audiences.
Seamless remote guest invitations for distributed worship teams and speakers
StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming platform designed for easy broadcasting to multiple destinations like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch simultaneously. It provides church-friendly features such as customizable overlays, branded backgrounds, on-screen comments, and emoji reactions to enhance viewer engagement during services. Users can invite remote guests effortlessly, record streams for on-demand playback, and access replays, making it accessible for non-technical church staff.
Pros
- Browser-based with no downloads required, perfect for quick setups
- Multistreaming to key church platforms like YouTube and Facebook
- Strong audience interaction via live comments and reactions
Cons
- Limited advanced production tools like multi-camera switching
- No native integrations with church management or donation software
- Higher pricing tiers needed for large audiences or teams
Best For
Small to medium churches wanting simple, professional livestreams without technical expertise.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Professional $20/month (or $240/year); Business $49/month (or $588/year); Enterprise custom pricing.
BoxCast
specializedCloud-based streaming platform optimized for churches with scheduling, DVR playback, and simulcasting to multiple destinations.
Proprietary hardware encoders with built-in cellular backup for unbreakable connectivity in any venue
BoxCast is a turnkey live streaming platform tailored for churches, providing dedicated hardware encoders and a cloud-based dashboard for broadcasting worship services to multiple platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and custom websites. It supports multi-camera switching, scheduling, titling overlays, and automatic on-demand archiving with analytics. Designed for reliability, it minimizes technical glitches, allowing church staff to focus on ministry rather than IT troubleshooting.
Pros
- Exceptional reliability with 99.9% uptime and automatic failover
- Plug-and-play hardware encoders requiring no technical expertise
- Seamless multi-platform simulcasting and church-specific tools like titling and scheduling
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs (starting at $999)
- Monthly subscriptions can become expensive for larger churches
- Limited advanced customization for graphics and overlays compared to pro tools
Best For
Mid-sized churches wanting a hassle-free, reliable streaming setup without dedicated AV staff.
Pricing
Hardware encoders from $999 one-time; monthly plans from $99 (Econo, 1 channel) to $299 (Premium, unlimited channels) including cloud storage and support.
OBS Studio
otherFree open-source tool for live streaming and recording with customizable scenes, plugins, and multi-camera support popular in churches.
Highly flexible scene collections with unlimited multi-source compositing and plugin extensibility
OBS Studio is a free, open-source software for live video streaming and recording, enabling users to mix multiple sources like cameras, slideshows, lyrics overlays, and audio inputs into professional broadcasts. For church livestreaming, it excels at creating dynamic scenes for services, supporting direct streaming to platforms such as YouTube, Facebook Live, and Twitch. Its extensive plugin ecosystem allows customization for worship-specific needs like NDI integration for multi-camera setups and lower thirds for scriptures.
Pros
- Completely free with no licensing costs
- Unlimited scenes, sources, and advanced audio/video mixing
- Vast plugin library for church-specific tools like remote cameras
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Resource-heavy on lower-end hardware
- No built-in collaboration or cloud backup features
Best For
Tech-savvy church production teams seeking a powerful, customizable, zero-cost solution for multi-camera livestreams.
Pricing
100% free (open-source, donations encouraged).
Resi
enterpriseResilient streaming hardware and software solution providing automatic failover for uninterrupted church livestreams.
Resilient Streaming with 8x redundant encodes to 40+ CDNs for near-perfect uptime
Resi (resi.io) is a resilient live streaming platform that uses patented technology to send eight simultaneous streams across 40+ CDNs, ensuring 99.99% uptime even on poor internet connections. It supports church livestreaming with scheduling, multi-platform distribution to YouTube, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations, and integrations with tools like OBS, vMix, and TriCaster. Designed for mission-critical events, it minimizes disruptions during services through automatic failover and recovery.
Pros
- Exceptional reliability with resilient streaming technology
- Seamless multi-platform broadcasting
- 24/7 professional support and monitoring
Cons
- Hardware encoders add upfront costs and setup complexity
- Limited native church-specific features like tithe overlays
- Pricing can be premium for smaller congregations
Best For
Mid-to-large churches prioritizing unbreakable stream reliability over spotless internet.
Pricing
Software plans start at $79/month (Resi 1) up to $299/month (Resi 8); hardware encoders from $995 one-time + subscription.
vMix
enterpriseProfessional live production software supporting 4K video, unlimited inputs, PTZ cameras, and direct streaming for church broadcasts.
Integrated NDI and PTZ camera control for effortless multi-camera switching in live church productions
vMix is a professional-grade live production software for Windows that enables seamless switching between multiple cameras, audio mixing, graphics overlays, and high-quality streaming/recording. For churches, it excels in handling multi-camera worship services with NDI support, PTZ camera control, and custom titles for lyrics or scriptures. It streams directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch while offering unlimited inputs based on hardware capabilities.
Pros
- Unlimited camera inputs and NDI/PTZ support for complex church setups
- Powerful built-in titler and audio mixer for lyrics, scriptures, and worship sound
- One-time purchase with multi-platform streaming and recording
Cons
- Steep learning curve requires training for non-professionals
- Windows-only, no native Mac or mobile support
- Hardware-intensive, demands a powerful PC for 4K or multi-cam
Best For
Churches with a technical AV team seeking broadcast-quality livestreams without expensive hardware switchers.
Pricing
One-time licenses: HD ($350), 4K ($695), Pro ($1,200); free updates first year, then $60-$200 annual optional subscription.
Restream
specializedMultistreaming service that broadcasts church services simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms.
Simultaneous multistreaming to 30+ platforms from one encoder
Restream is a powerful multistreaming platform that allows users to broadcast live video simultaneously to over 30 destinations like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and church websites. It features aggregated chat from all platforms, recording, scheduling, and seamless integration with tools like OBS Studio. For churches, it simplifies reaching wider online audiences without multiple streaming setups.
Pros
- Multistreaming to 30+ platforms simultaneously
- Unified chat aggregation from all destinations
- User-friendly interface with OBS integration and scheduling
Cons
- No built-in church-specific tools like donation overlays or sermon notes
- Free plan includes watermarks and stream time limits
- Advanced analytics and custom RTMP require paid tiers
Best For
Churches wanting to easily livestream services to multiple social media platforms at once to grow their online congregation.
Pricing
Free plan available; Standard $16/mo (8 channels); Professional $41/mo (unlimited channels, recording); Business $83/mo (team features); billed annually.
Wirecast
enterpriseAdvanced live streaming software with multi-camera switching, graphics, ISO recording, and professional encoding for church productions.
Rendezvous peer-to-peer remote guest integration for easy virtual interviews or contributors
Wirecast by Telestream is a professional-grade live video production software designed for multi-camera switching, encoding, streaming, and recording. It supports unlimited video inputs via NDI, SDI, or USB, advanced graphics overlays, audio mixing, and simultaneous streaming to multiple platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations. For churches, it enables broadcast-quality livestreams with features like ISO recording for post-production and virtual sets, though it requires more technical expertise than simpler church tools.
Pros
- Unlimited camera inputs and professional switching engine
- Built-in streaming to 30+ platforms with adaptive bitrate
- Advanced graphics, titles, and ISO recording for high-quality productions
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-professionals
- High upfront cost and resource-heavy on hardware
- Overkill for simple single-camera church setups
Best For
Churches with experienced AV teams needing broadcast-level multi-camera livestreams and complex productions.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses from $599 (Wirecast One) to $3,995 (Wirecast Pro 16); annual Wirecast Central upgrades $299-$999.
EasyWorship
specializedChurch media presentation software with lyrics, videos, scripture integration, and live stream output capabilities.
Integrated CCLI SongSelect database for instant lyric importing and copyright-compliant worship media management
EasyWorship is a worship presentation software tailored for churches, enabling the creation and display of song lyrics, Bible verses, videos, images, and custom media during live services. It supports output to projectors, confidence monitors, and livestreams via NDI, SDI, or integrations with platforms like YouTube and Facebook Live. While excellent for church media presentations, it functions best as a source feed for dedicated streaming software rather than a full-featured livestream production tool.
Pros
- User-friendly interface ideal for volunteers with minimal training
- Robust worship-specific tools like CCLI SongSelect integration and Bible library
- Reliable NDI output for seamless integration with streaming software
Cons
- Subscription-only pricing without one-time purchase option
- Limited built-in multi-camera switching or advanced graphics for complex productions
- Requires additional tools for full professional livestream workflows
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches prioritizing easy worship presentations with basic livestream output to platforms like YouTube.
Pricing
Subscription plans start at $169/year (Essentials) up to $399/year (Advanced) per church, billed annually with multi-site options available.
Planning Center
specializedChurch management platform with online services tools for scheduling, live streaming, and audience engagement during services.
Tight integration between service planning workflows and online video embedding for a unified church operations experience
Planning Center is a modular church management platform with Planning Center Online serving as a customizable church website for hosting livestreams and on-demand content. It enables embedding live streams from third-party sources like YouTube or Vimeo directly into service pages, integrated with worship planning and people management tools. While not a standalone streaming engine, it streamlines church online presence by combining service planning with video delivery for congregations.
Pros
- Seamless integration with worship planning and church database tools
- Intuitive interface tailored for church staff with minimal tech expertise
- Free basic Online platform with easy embedding of external streams
Cons
- Lacks native streaming capabilities, relying on third-party platforms
- No advanced features like multi-camera switching or built-in graphics overlays
- Modular pricing structure can become expensive for full functionality
Best For
Churches already in the Planning Center ecosystem seeking an integrated online hub for embedding and sharing livestreams without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for basic Planning Center Online; Publishing add-on starts at $29/month for up to 500 concurrent viewers, with higher tiers for larger audiences.
Conclusion
From professional tools to user-friendly platforms, the top-ranked ProPresenter shines as the best choice, boasting integrated live streaming and multi-screen support. StreamYard impresses with its browser-based ease and branded overlays, while BoxCast stands out for cloud optimization and scheduling, offering strong alternatives for varied needs.
Elevate your church’s livestream with ProPresenter—its seamless presentation and streaming tools make it the ultimate choice to connect with your audience effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison