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Religion · head to head

OpenLP vs PastorsLine

OpenLP logo

OpenLP

Religion

Free, open-source presentation software for churches

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PastorsLine logo

PastorsLine

Religion

Text messaging and communication platform for churches

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenLP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenLP there is no standalone mobile app; the Android and iOS apps are remote controls for a desktop running OpenLP; PastorsLine no pricing details published on main landing page
  • They diverge on capability: OpenLP covers Presentation, PastorsLine covers SMS Messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenLP and PastorsLine actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenLP and PastorsLine differ
AttributeOpenLPPastorsLine
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, LinuxWeb, Mobile
Founded20042005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Religion).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in OpenLP

  • Presentation
  • Lyric Display
  • Media Playback
  • Bible Display
  • Theme Support
  • Plugin System
  • Custom Layouts
  • Scripture Integration

Only in PastorsLine

  • SMS Messaging
  • Email Integration
  • Contact Management
  • Scheduling
  • Church Management
  • Email Services
  • Contact Lists
  • Analytics

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

OpenLP

  • Member managementnot PastorsLine
  • Donation trackingnot PastorsLine
  • Event planningnot PastorsLine
  • Volunteer schedulingnot PastorsLine
  • Communicationnot PastorsLine

PastorsLine

  • Two-way SMS and voice communication with a church congregationnot OpenLP
  • Text-in keywords and automated follow-up for church guestsnot OpenLP
  • Group texting tied to church management system contactsnot OpenLP

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

OpenLP

  • There is no standalone mobile app; the Android and iOS apps are remote controls for a desktop running OpenLP
  • Only the most recent Fedora release and Debian unstable are supported on those distributions
  • The Flatpak build is experimental and the OpenLP team states it does not support its use
  • Requires macOS 10.15 or higher and Windows 10 or higher

PastorsLine

  • No pricing details published on main landing page
  • Pricing information references external Text In Church pricing page
  • Free trial option mentioned but no pricing tiers or amounts disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenLP

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Full features
    • No restrictions
    • Community support

PastorsLine

On request
  • Starter$29/month
    • SMS messaging
    • Up to 1000 contacts
  • Professional$99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Unlimited contacts
    • Email integration

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenLP if

  • You need presentation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux.
  • You also want lyric display.
OpenLP review

Choose PastorsLine if

  • You need sms messaging.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want email integration.
PastorsLine review

Questions people ask

Is OpenLP or PastorsLine better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenLP starts at Free and PastorsLine at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenLP or PastorsLine?
OpenLP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenLP and On request for PastorsLine.
Does OpenLP or PastorsLine run on more platforms?
OpenLP runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. PastorsLine runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use OpenLP for free?
Yes. OpenLP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PastorsLine starts at On request.
What is OpenLP best used for?
OpenLP is most often used for member management, donation tracking, event planning, volunteer scheduling. Of those, member management and donation tracking are not what PastorsLine is typically brought in for.
What can OpenLP do that PastorsLine cannot?
OpenLP covers Presentation, Lyric Display, Media Playback, Bible Display. PastorsLine covers SMS Messaging, Email Integration, Contact Management, Scheduling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenLP: How much does OpenLP cost?

OpenLP is completely free to download, install, and use. Being open source means OpenLP is free forever with no licensing or subscription fees.

Source
PastorsLine: How much does Pastorsline cost?

Pastorsline does not publish pricing details on its main page. The landing page references Text In Church pricing and encourages users to start a free trial, but specific pricing tiers and amounts are not disclosed.

Source
OpenLP: Can I install OpenLP on multiple computers for free?

Yes, OpenLP can be downloaded, installed on multiple computers, and distributed to others at no cost.

Source
PastorsLine: Does Pastorsline offer a free trial?

Yes, Pastorsline offers a free trial option. Users can proceed through 'Step 1: Start Your Free Trial Today' to begin.

Source
OpenLP: What platforms does OpenLP support?

OpenLP is free for Windows, Mac, Linux, and FreeBSD platforms with no platform-specific licensing costs.

Source
PastorsLine: Where can I find Pastorsline pricing information?

The landing page references a Text In Church pricing page for actual pricing tiers and costs. Customers should visit that page or contact the company directly for current rates.

Source
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