Ormilio vs FreeShow

FreeShow and Ormilio can look alike at first. Both can show a QR code, and both can open words in a phone's browser without an app. But they are built for different jobs. FreeShow runs the big screen from the church computer. Ormilio is made so everyone in the room can follow the words on their own phone, led from a phone.

Here is a simple, fair look at both, so you can pick what fits your group, or use them together.

What FreeShow is

FreeShow is free, open source presentation software. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux computers and puts songs and slides on the big screen.

FreeShow can also share to other devices. When you turn this on, the computer shows an address and a QR code. Phones and tablets on the same network can then open a Stage view or a Remote in the browser, with no app to install. Stage layouts can show the current and next slide, or a copy of what is on the big screen. The Remote is protected by a password, and there are also FreeShow Remote apps for Android and iPhone. An Output Stream can send the live picture to other devices. Because all of this runs on the local network, FreeShow's help pages cover things like firewalls and router settings.

What Ormilio is

Ormilio is a simple web app for showing the words of songs and readings. The leader picks songs from the free library of public domain hymns and royalty-free songs, or pastes in their own words. Each verse becomes a slide. Then the leader puts today's songs in order and moves forward from a phone. They can tap Next line by line, or set the seconds per line and let the words move on their own.

Everyone else joins by scanning a QR code, tapping a WhatsApp link or typing a short join number. There is no app to install and no account to make. The words open on each phone, on the same line as the big screen. Each person can make the letters bigger, switch to dark mode, scroll back, and tap to catch up. The big screen shows the same words full screen, easy to read from the back.

Ormilio shows plain lyrics and readings only, in any language and alphabet. There are no chords, no audio, no video and no backgrounds. It is free forever for up to 10 songs and 20 people at once. Ormilio Plus costs $10 a month, paid in your own currency.

The main differences

Same Wi-Fi or the internet. FreeShow's views work for devices on the same network as the computer. Ormilio works over the internet, so people can join on mobile data from a QR code, a WhatsApp link or a join number. Nobody needs the church Wi-Fi.

Who the phone view is for. FreeShow's Stage view and Remote are mainly for the team: the people on stage and the person moving the slides. Ormilio's phone view is made for everyone, with bigger letters, dark mode, scroll back and tap to catch up.

Computer or phone. FreeShow needs a computer running during the service. With Ormilio, the leader can do it all from a phone. FreeShow is free and open source and does more on the big screen. Ormilio does only the words, free for up to 10 songs and 20 people at once, and $10 a month after that.

Can you use both?

Yes. Keep FreeShow on the big screen and for your team on stage, and add Ormilio so everyone can read the songs on their own phone. This helps the back rows, visitors who are not on the Wi-Fi, and anyone who reads better up close.

They are separate tools. Today's songs go into Ormilio too, and someone moves the words forward in Ormilio while FreeShow runs on the computer. For a home group, a prayer meeting or a youth night with no computer, Ormilio can also do the job on its own.

Which one fits your group?

Choose FreeShow if you want free, open source software on the church computer to run the big screen, with views for your team on the same network.

Choose Ormilio if you want everyone to read the same words on their own phone, over the internet, with nothing to install, or if you lead a choir, a prayer group, a youth group or a home group. Choose both if you like FreeShow on the big screen and want the whole room on the same line.