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MediaShout is church presentation software for displaying lyrics, Scripture, and video during worship, available on Windows and Mac. Running since 1999, it stands out for offering a perpetual one-time license in a market dominated by subscriptions.
Our verdict
MediaShout has been putting lyrics, Scripture, and video on church screens since 1999, making it one of the longest-running names in worship presentation. It runs as installed desktop software on Windows (version 7) and Mac (version 6), and its defining feature in a subscription-dominated market is that you can still buy a perpetual license outright. For a volunteer-run booth, that ownership model and the familiar cue-based workflow are the main reasons churches choose it.
In practice the software is approachable enough for rotating volunteers: song libraries with CCLI SongSelect integration, multiple Bible translations, media playlists, and multi-screen output are all built in, and the cue-based layout mirrors how a service actually flows. The optional Plus membership and Shift Worship media plans add cloud backup, themes, and stock backgrounds for teams that want more polish without hunting for their own assets.
The trade-offs are real. Its Capterra rating of 4.3 trails EasyWorship (4.6) and the widely regarded leader ProPresenter, and a recurring theme in reviews is occasional crashes and glitches mid-service, which is the last thing a Sunday operator wants. The interface also looks dated next to newer tools, and the Windows and Mac versions sit on separate release tracks. If you value owning your software and want a proven, no-frills presentation engine, MediaShout earns its place; if you need leading-edge stability and design, look higher up the shelf.
How we scored it
Standout features
Song & Lyric Library
CCLI SongSelect integration for quick lyric slides
Scripture Slides
Multiple Bible translations built in for on-screen verses
Media Playback
Videos, images, and motion backgrounds in your cues
Multi-Screen Output
Separate audience, stage, and confidence displays
Perpetual License
Buy once and keep using it without a subscription
Plus Membership
Optional cloud backup, themes, and stock media
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Perpetual one-time license available in a market dominated by subscriptions
- Approachable, cue-based workflow that rotating volunteers can learn quickly
- Built-in CCLI SongSelect, Bible translations, and media playlist support
- Runs on both Windows and Mac with multi-screen and stage-display output
- More than two decades of church-specific development and support
– Cons
- Reviewers report occasional crashes and glitches during live services
- Interface feels dated compared with ProPresenter and newer tools
- Windows (v7) and Mac (v6) are on separate versions, so features can differ
Best for
Churches that want to own their presentation software outright and need a dependable, volunteer-friendly engine for lyrics, Scripture, and video across Windows or Mac.
Look elsewhere if
You want the most polished, rock-solid live experience or advanced stage-display and playback features, where ProPresenter and EasyWorship are stronger.
Pricing
How it compares
| MediaShout | ProPresenter | EasyWorship | Proclaim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.4 | 8.6 | 8.1 | 7.2 |
| Ease of use | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 7.6 |
| Live reliability | 6.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 7.2 |
| Pricing model | One-time | Subscription | One-time | Subscription |
| Design polish | 7.0 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 7.4 |
FAQ
Is MediaShout a subscription or a one-time purchase?
Both models exist. You can buy a perpetual 'Site' license (from $599 on Windows, $499 on Mac) or subscribe to the LE plan at $198/year for one computer; higher tiers add annual media memberships.
Does MediaShout work on Mac?
Yes, but Mac runs MediaShout 6 while Windows runs MediaShout 7, so the two platforms sit on different versions and some features may differ.
Can it pull worship songs automatically?
Yes. MediaShout integrates with CCLI SongSelect so you can search and import lyric slides directly, and it includes multiple Bible translations for Scripture.
How many computers does a license cover?
A 'Site' license covers unlimited computers at your church, while the LE subscription is limited to a single computer.
How does it compare to ProPresenter?
ProPresenter is generally seen as the polish-and-stability leader and is subscription-based, while MediaShout's edge is lower long-term cost through one-time ownership.
