MediaShout vs ProPresenter: Which Church Presentation Software Is Right for You?
When it comes to running worship lyrics, sermon slides, and media in your church services, the choice of presentation software makes all the difference. Two of the most well-known names are MediaShout and ProPresenter. But which one is the best fit for your church? MediaShout vs ProPresenter… Let’s take a closer look.
Ease of Use: Volunteer-Friendly vs Advanced Power
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MediaShout is designed with volunteers in mind. Its interface feels familiar right away, so even new users can run slides and lyrics without a steep learning curve. Training takes minutes, not hours, when it comes to running presentations. And building presentations is very similar—an easy point and click interface where things just make sense.
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ProPresenter offers advanced features, but the interface can feel overwhelming for new users. Many churches find they need to dedicate more time to training their teams or rely on “power users” instead of a more diversely skilled roster of volunteers. This is especially true when thinking about volunteers being able to actually put together elements of the presentation (think of things like being able to pop in a scripture easily, etc.)
👉 If your church relies heavily on volunteers or even staff who aren’t tech experts, MediaShout’s simplicity is a big advantage.
Pricing: One-Time Cost vs Ongoing Subscription
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MediaShout: Buy it once, own it forever. No subscriptions required. This makes budgeting easier, especially for small or mid-sized churches. Every full version of MediaShout includes an unlimited site license for multiple computers at your campus or those working for it taking home computers.
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ProPresenter: Subscription-based licensing. Churches pay ongoing fees to keep using the software and for updates. Licensing is significantly more expensive for multiple computers vs. a single seat (one-computer) license if you want to actually display presentations from those other computers (like a youth room, kid’s worship space, the sanctuary, and classrooms or multi-purpose rooms).
👉 If long-term savings and predictable budgeting matter, MediaShout’s one-time purchase is the more affordable choice.
Features: All-in-One vs Add-On Costs
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MediaShout includes over 70 Bible translations at no extra charge, plus strong tools for worship lyrics, sermon slides, and scripture—like the Sermon Builder plugin built right in.
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ProPresenter is powerful, but some features require add-ons or extra costs, which can add up quickly. Bibles are charged on a per-Bible version and per-computer basis.
👉 Both are feature-rich, but MediaShout gives churches more of what they need up front, without hidden fees.
Compatibility: Built for Windows vs Cross-Platform
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MediaShout 7 is a Windows-based program, fully compatible with Windows 11. A fully featured but older version of MediaShout is offered for Mac (MediaShout 6).
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ProPresenter 7 runs on both Mac and Windows, which some teams may prefer if they use mixed systems.
👉 If your church already uses Windows PCs (as most do), MediaShout integrates seamlessly.
Support and Training: Real People vs Knowledge Base
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MediaShout offers personal, real-time support—including phone calls, remote desktop help, and even scheduled training calls and Sunday morning live chat through the Plus Membership.
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ProPresenter relies more on documentation, community forums, and ticket-based support.
👉 If you value direct access to a real person, MediaShout’s support team goes above and beyond.
The Bottom Line
Both MediaShout and ProPresenter are capable tools for worship presentation. The difference comes down to what your church values most:
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Choose MediaShout if you want a volunteer-friendly, affordable, one-time purchase solution with personal support.
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Choose ProPresenter if you need advanced cross-platform features and don’t mind ongoing subscription costs.
The good news? You don’t have to decide blindly. MediaShout offers a fully functional 14-day free trial with no watermarks—so you can test it in your actual worship service before making a decision.
