Holyrics

Holyrics is presentation software for churches using lyrics and Bible verses during worship and events. It can display songs, scripture, text, images, audio, video, countdowns, alerts, and stage-view content, with multi-screen output. The media player supports VLC Media Player, while the mobile app can access program data and control presentations. Cloud synchronization can transfer program data and media files between computers, but local settings are excluded. Telegram features include questions, polls, draws, chat synchronization, and file transfer through a chatbot. Direct Telegram transfers are limited to 20MB; larger files can be shared with a Google Drive link. The Advanced plan provides an online API for other applications to send HTTP requests to Holyrics. Holyrics does not stream directly, though it is compatible with streaming programs. Desktop downloads are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac, and require Java 8; Java 9 does not work. The Holyrics plan is free; Basic costs $5 a month, and Advanced costs $10 a month.

Holyrics combines church presentation features with mobile control and computer-to-computer synchronization. It is free to use, with paid plans available and a Java 8 requirement for desktop installations.

Holyrics suits churches that need to display lyrics, scripture, and other media during worship or events. It also fits presenters who want mobile control or cloud synchronization between computers.

Holyrics is church presentation software for worship services and events, with a desktop program and a mobile app for presentation control. It suits churches that want lyrics, Scripture, media and stage content in one presentation workflow. Its breadth is useful, but Java requirements and the lack of direct streaming make it less suitable for teams seeking an all-in-one broadcast setup.

Overview

Holyrics covers common service projection needs and extends beyond songs and Bible verses to text, images, audio, video, countdowns, alerts and stage-view content. Multi-screen output gives teams room to present different material across displays, while the mobile app can access program data and control presentations.

Cloud synchronization can share program data and media files between computers, but excludes local settings. That is practical for keeping service materials aligned across machines, not for duplicating each computer's full setup. Holyrics works with streaming programs but does not stream directly, so a church that needs streaming must use a separate compatible program.

It fits the Church Presentation Software category as well as broader Presentation software.

Key features

Projection and media

Lyrics, Scripture, stage display and media playback are all supported. The ability to combine service text and media with countdowns and alerts makes Holyrics more flexible than a lyrics-only workflow. Its audio and video player supports VLC Media Player, which is useful for churches already using that player; the software still does not replace a streaming application.

Mobile control and messaging

The phone app provides access to program data and presentation controls, giving operators another way to manage a presentation. Telegram integration adds questions, polls, draws, chat synchronization and chatbot-based file transfer. Direct chat transfers are capped at 20MB; larger files can be shared through a Google Drive link, which adds a step for larger media or documents.

API and support

The Advanced plan includes an online API that lets other applications send HTTP requests to Holyrics over the internet. That makes the higher tier relevant to churches connecting Holyrics with other software; teams without that need may not benefit from paying for it. Video tutorials, tips and an FAQ cover both the software and app.

Pricing

Holyrics uses a freemium model, with a free desktop plan and paid monthly tiers. The free plan is a sensible starting point for a small setup, while computer and app caps determine when an upgrade is needed.

• Holyrics: free. The free plan is the no-cost option; the paid tiers set explicit caps of up to three or ten computers and 30 or 100 apps, respectively.
• Basic: $5 a month, for up to 3 computers and up to 30 apps. It suits smaller teams that need a paid tier but do not need the larger Advanced allocation.
• Advanced: $10 a month, for up to 10 computers and up to 100 apps. It is the better fit for larger operations or those that need the online API.
• Advanced + Worshipwide: $25 a month, including all Advanced benefits, the full gallery and new Worshipwide packs. Choose it when those gallery and pack benefits justify the higher monthly cost.
• Holyrics iOS app: $0.99, paid once. This is a separate one-time price for the iOS app.

The paid tiers scale by computer and app limits, and Advanced adds the API; the top tier adds Worshipwide content. There is no reason to pay for the larger caps or content unless the team needs them.

Platforms

The downloadable desktop program is available for Windows, Linux and Mac and requires Java 8; Java 9 does not work. That requirement is an important compatibility constraint for installations and maintenance. The mobile app supports Android and iOS, with the iOS app priced separately at $0.99, paid once.

The smartphone app states that it does not store or collect personal data. It uses camera access to read QR codes and microphone access to send audio in chat.

Who it's for

Holyrics is a strong match for churches that need lyrics and Scripture alongside media, stage content and multi-screen output, especially when operators want mobile presentation control or computer-to-computer synchronization. Telegram tools and the Advanced API can also serve teams that want messaging features or software integrations.

It is a weaker fit for churches that require direct streaming from the presentation software, complete synchronization of local settings, or desktop installation without Java 8. Its license is non-exclusive and revocable, and prohibits source-code modification and reverse engineering, so it is not intended for teams that need to alter the applications themselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Combines lyrics, Scripture, media, countdowns, alerts and stage content, reducing the need to split service presentation across separate tools.
• Pro: Mobile control and synchronization between computers support teams working with shared presentation data and media.
• Pro: Telegram integration includes interactive and file-sharing tools, while Advanced adds an online API for HTTP-based integrations.
• Con: Desktop installations require Java 8, and Java 9 is incompatible.
• Con: It does not stream directly, so streaming requires another program.
• Con: Cloud sync excludes local settings, and direct Telegram file transfers stop at 20MB.
• Con: Paid tiers impose computer and app caps, while the iOS app has a separate one-time charge.

Alternatives

VerseCAST is worth comparing for a church that wants a web option or a free Bible-presentation starting point; its free demo limits slide count and functionality, while its Monthly plan is $3.49 a month.

WorshipTools Presenter may suit teams that prioritize defined free cloud and service limits: its free plan includes 500 MB of cloud storage, 10 users and 15 items per service, with unlimited services and songs.

Church Presenter is a free alternative for teams seeking a GNU GPL v3 product with no subscription or seat limits.

VerseVIEW is another free option, with no ads and availability across desktop, mobile and web platforms.

EasyWorship is a paid alternative with a free trial; its Basic plan is $17.50 a month, billed $210 billed yearly, and includes a campus license.

OpenLP is a free alternative available across desktop, mobile and web platforms.

PocketWorship is a freemium alternative available on web, macOS and iOS.

Proclaim is a paid alternative available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Choose Holyrics if your church needs a broad presentation tool for worship content, with mobile control and shared data across computers. Its combination of service media, stage content and Telegram features is the main reason to pick it. Look elsewhere if direct streaming or Java-free desktop installation is essential, or if you need local settings included in synchronization.