Short answer: PrayerKey Live is a free, browser-based verse projector that is great for trying automatic scripture display with no install. Pewbeam is a full desktop presentation app: it adds offline transcription, NDI output into ProPresenter, EasyWorship and OBS, AI lyrics, AI slide generation and 20 translations, with a free plan and paid plans from $14 a month.
At a glance
| Pewbeam | PrayerKey Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan (60 minutes of transcription, one-time); Plus $14/month or $144/year; Core $30/month or $300/year | Free, no account |
| Runs on | Windows 10+ and macOS 10.13+ desktop app | Chrome, Edge or Brave browser (Mac, Windows, Chromebook, Linux) |
| Automatic verse detection | Yes, including paraphrased verses | Yes, including paraphrases, with confidence colours |
| Works offline | Yes, on Plus and Core (on-device transcription) | Not stated |
| Output | HDMI display, plus NDI to ProPresenter, EasyWorship and OBS on paid plans | A fullscreen browser window you drag to a second display |
| Worship lyrics | AI lyrics that follow the singer line by line, including CCLI songs (Plus and Core) | Not offered (verses only) |
| Slide generation | AI slides from the sermon, notes or a prompt (Plus and Core) | Not stated |
| Bible translations | 20 (4 on the free plan) | 11 |
| Member follow-up | Pewnote app turns the sermon into notes, quizzes and devotionals | Not offered |
Where Pewbeam is stronger
- It plugs into a real production setup. NDI output sends verses straight into ProPresenter, EasyWorship, OBS or a switcher, so the verse lands in your existing look and your livestream.
- It keeps going without internet. On Plus and Core, speech recognition runs on the computer itself on Windows and macOS.
- It covers the whole service. AI lyrics follow the worship team line by line, and AI slide generation builds sermon-point and announcement slides from your notes or the transcript.
- More translations: 20 versus 11.
Where PrayerKey is the better fit
- Cost. PrayerKey is free with no paid tier. Pewbeam's free plan is a one-time 60 minutes of transcription, then it needs Plus to keep transcribing.
- Zero install. It runs in a browser tab, including on a Chromebook or Linux laptop, which Pewbeam does not support.
Which should you choose?
Choose PrayerKey if you want to try automatic verse display this Sunday on any laptop, with a single projector and no budget. Choose Pewbeam if verses need to reach your ProPresenter or EasyWorship look, your livestream or several screens, if your internet is unreliable, or if you want lyrics, slides and member follow-up in the same tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is PrayerKey really free?
Yes. PrayerKey states that PrayerKey Live is free with no subscription, premium tier, ads or account. Pewbeam has a free plan with 60 minutes of transcription, one-time, and paid plans from $14 a month.
Can PrayerKey send verses to ProPresenter or OBS?
PrayerKey opens a fullscreen verse window in the browser that you drag to a second display; its site does not mention NDI. Pewbeam's paid plans send verses over NDI to ProPresenter, EasyWorship, OBS and other NDI-capable software.
Does Pewbeam work offline?
Yes. On Plus and Core, Pewbeam transcribes on the computer itself on Windows and macOS, so detection keeps working when the internet drops. The free plan needs an internet connection for transcription.
More comparisons
Pewbeam vs TajiCast · Pewbeam vs SmartVerses · Pewbeam vs ProPresenter · Pewbeam vs EasyWorship
Sources
Competitor details were checked on their official sites on 24 September 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm on each site before you buy.