I recently made some content for our social channels and was having trouble not stuttering or saying “um” when I knew what I wanted to say but couldn’t get the idea out. This led me to look for teleprompter apps which on first use, helped me make this video. I loved the instant jump-in quality of my talking but didn’t like the idea of an annual $80 payment to do so. That then started the rabbit hole of finding the perfect app for my company and figuring out others also needed help with this decision, which became this article. I found a lot of them were pretty similar and could have benefited from all of the information being in one place, so that is what this is. The following is a breakdown of the best free and cheap versions of teleprompter apps.
Free Teleprompter Apps
PromptSmart Lite
- Features: VoiceTrack technology that follows your voice, script import from various file formats, adjustable scroll speed, and mirror text for professional setups.
- Unique Aspects: The voice-activated scrolling makes it stand out as it automatically pauses when you pause, ensuring you never lose your place.
BIGVU Teleprompter
- Features: In-app editing, automatic captions, script import, and green screen capability.
- Unique Aspects: Offers a mix of teleprompter and video editing features, making it a comprehensive tool for video content creation.
Teleprompter for Video
- Features: Script scrolling, adjustable text size and speed, and the ability to use the front camera while reading the script.
- Unique Aspects: Simple and user-friendly interface, perfect for beginners who need a straightforward teleprompter app.
Oratory
- Features: Customizable script display, multiple script management, and speech recognition.
- Unique Aspects: Speech recognition helps to keep track of where you are in the script, similar to PromptSmart Lite but in a simpler form.
Elegant Teleprompter
- Features: Floating widget, adjustable text size and speed, and script import from text files.
- Unique Aspects: The floating widget allows you to use it with any camera app, providing flexibility in how you record your videos.
Cheap Teleprompter Apps
PromptSmart Pro
- Starter Pack
- Cost: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Features:
- Access to iOS and Android PromptSmart+ apps
- PromptSmart Studio Edition for Windows and MacOS
- Web-based document editing and cross-platform content sync
- View and control prompter text from mobile or web remote control solutions
- Suitable for solo users or smaller operations (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Team Plan
- Cost: $19.99/month or $199.99/year
- Features:
- Everything included in the Starter Pack
- Support for multiple, browser-based Remote Control Room sessions
- Up to 10 nested folders for organization
- Ideal for small to mid-sized collaborative teams (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Enterprise Plan
- Cost: Custom pricing (Contact PromptSmart for details)
- Features:
- All features from the Team Plan
- Mobile app management for iOS
- Admin panel for adding or removing sub-users with no limit on sub-users
- Best suited for large operations requiring detailed management and control (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Unique Features of PromptSmart
- VoiceTrack Technology:
- This patented technology scrolls the text as you speak, pausing when you pause, and resuming when you start speaking again, providing a seamless experience without the need for manual scrolling (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Cross-Platform Compatibility:
- Available on both mobile (iOS and Android) and desktop (Windows and MacOS), allowing for flexible use across different devices. It also supports cloud sync for cross-platform content management (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Customization and Accessibility:
- Users can customize font style, size, and color, making the text easy to read. The app also offers adjustable side margins to reduce eye tracking, ensuring natural eye contact with the camera (PromptSmart).
- Remote Control Features:
- Allows for remote control of the prompter from a mobile device or web-based control room, making it easier to manage multiple sessions and devices (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- High Volume Recording and Editing:
- Supports efficient, high-volume video recording, with features like Story Block and Selfie Mode for recording multiple videos in succession. It also includes in-app video editing tools (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Justification for Cost
- PromptSmart offers advanced features that justify its cost, especially for professional and collaborative environments:
- VoiceTrack Technology: Unlike many free apps that require manual scrolling, PromptSmart’s voice-activated scrolling ensures a smooth, professional delivery, enhancing the quality of your videos.
- Remote Control and Cross-Platform Sync: The ability to control the prompter remotely and sync content across devices saves time and increases productivity, making it a valuable tool for teams and businesses (PromptSmart) (PromptSmart).
- Customization and Accessibility: The extensive customization options make it accessible for users with different needs, ensuring that the text is readable and the delivery is natural (PromptSmart).
BIGVU Premium
BIGVU Offerings and Pricing
Free Plan
- Cost: Free
- Features:
- Teleprompter functionality
- Videos up to 9 minutes long
- HD video quality
- 3 AI-generated scripts in total
- WordTrim for editing scripts
- One video landing page
- Viewer access for collaborators
- Basic video styling options (BIGVU) (BIGVU Help Center).
Starter Plan
- Cost: $14.99/month or $149.99/year
- Features:
- Everything included in the Free Plan
- Automatic captions in up to 70 languages
- Greenscreen background replacement
- Logo, music, picture overlays, video cropping, and titling
- Unlimited video landing pages
- Social media sharing
- Shared workspaces for collaboration
- Editor access for collaborators (BIGVU) (BIGVU Help Center).
AI Pro Plan
- Cost: $49.99/month or $499.99/year
- Features:
- Everything included in the Starter Plan
- Videos up to 59 minutes long
- 4K video quality
- Unlimited AI-generated scripts, voice generator, and image generator
- AI auto-zoom and eye contact correction
- Subtitle translation with SRT files
- Live streaming capabilities
- Video analytics dashboard (BIGVU) (BIGVU Help Center).
AI Pro Team Plan
- Cost: Custom pricing (Contact BIGVU for details)
- Features:
- All features from the AI Pro Plan
- Enhanced support for teams and collaborative environments (BIGVU).
Unique Features of BIGVU
- Comprehensive Teleprompter Functionality:
- The teleprompter allows users to read scripts while maintaining eye contact with the camera, ensuring a professional and engaging video presentation (BIGVU).
- AI-Powered Tools:
- BIGVU offers an array of AI tools, including script generation, voice and image generation, auto-zoom, and eye contact correction, which streamline the video creation process and enhance video quality (BIGVU Help Center) (BIGVU).
- Cross-Platform Compatibility:
- BIGVU is available on iOS, Android, and web platforms, allowing users to create and edit videos seamlessly across devices (BIGVU) (BIGVU Help Center).
- Automatic Captions and Subtitle Translation:
- The app automatically generates captions in up to 70 languages and provides tools for subtitle translation, making videos more accessible and enhancing viewer engagement (BIGVU Help Center) (BIGVU).
- Advanced Video Styling and Editing:
- Users can add logos, music, overlays, and apply greenscreen background replacements to create polished, branded videos (BIGVU) (BIGVU Help Center).
- Live Streaming and Social Media Integration:
- BIGVU supports live streaming to social media platforms and offers tools for easy sharing and analytics, helping users expand their reach and track performance (BIGVU Help Center) (BIGVU Help Center).
Justification for Cost
BIGVU offers advanced features that justify its subscription cost, especially for professional and collaborative environments:
- AI-Powered Enhancements: The use of AI for script generation, voice and image creation, and eye contact correction significantly improves video quality and efficiency, making it a valuable tool for serious content creators.
- Comprehensive Video Production Suite: BIGVU integrates teleprompting, recording, editing, and sharing in one platform, eliminating the need for multiple apps and simplifying the video production process (BIGVU) (BIGVU).
- Accessibility and Engagement: Automatic captioning and subtitle translation make videos more accessible to a wider audience, enhancing engagement and viewer retention (BIGVU Help Center) (BIGVU).
Teleprompter Pro
- Pro Version:
- Cost: $12.99 (one-time purchase)
- Features:
- All features of the free version
- Unlimited script length
- Remote control access to start, stop, and adjust the speed of the script
- Mirror mode for professional teleprompter setups
- Enhanced customization options for text display
- No advertisements
- Cloud sync to save and access scripts across multiple devices
Unique Features of Teleprompter Pro
- User-Friendly Interface:
- Teleprompter Pro offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create and read scripts without distractions.
- Remote Control Access:
- The Pro version includes remote control functionality, allowing users to start, stop, and adjust the speed of the script from another device. This feature is particularly useful for solo video creators and presenters.
- Mirror Mode:
- Mirror mode is available in the Pro version, enabling users to reflect the script for use with professional teleprompter setups. This feature is essential for those using physical teleprompter hardware.
- Script Import and Export:
- Users can import scripts from various file formats, including .txt, .docx, and .pdf, making it easy to transfer content from different platforms. The Pro version also allows for cloud sync, ensuring scripts are accessible across multiple devices.
- Customization Options:
- Both free and Pro versions offer extensive customization options for text size, speed, and display settings. The Pro version includes additional customization features, providing users with more control over their script’s appearance.
- Ad-Free Experience:
- The Pro version provides an ad-free experience, eliminating distractions and allowing users to focus solely on their content.
Justification for Cost
Teleprompter Pro offers a range of features that justify its one-time purchase cost of $12.99:
- Remote Control Access: The ability to control the teleprompter remotely adds significant convenience and flexibility, especially for solo creators and small production teams.
- Mirror Mode: Essential for professional setups, mirror mode enhances the app’s functionality and makes it suitable for use with teleprompter hardware.
- Unlimited Script Length and Cloud Sync: These features ensure that users can work on longer projects without interruption and access their scripts from any device.
- Ad-Free Experience: Removing advertisements creates a smoother and more professional user experience, making it worth the investment for frequent users.
Video Teleprompter Premium
- Price: $5.99
- Features: Adjustable text size and speed, script import, and green screen support.
- Justification for Cost: The added green screen support and enhanced script management features provide a professional touch to your videos, justifying the low cost.
Parrot Teleprompter
- Price: $3.99
- Features: Script import, customizable display, and remote control support.
- Justification for Cost: The combination of affordability and essential features like remote control and customizable display make it a valuable tool for small businesses looking to enhance their video production without breaking the bank.
Comparing Free and Paid Versions
Many teleprompter apps offer both free and paid versions, each with unique features and capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the differences and similarities between the free and paid versions of some popular apps:
- PromptSmart Lite vs. PromptSmart Pro
- Similarities: Both versions feature VoiceTrack technology, script import capabilities, and adjustable scroll speed.
- Differences: The Pro version includes advanced VoiceTrack technology, remote control access, script mirroring, and cloud sync, which are not available in the Lite version. These added features make the Pro version suitable for professional-grade video production.
- BIGVU Teleprompter vs. BIGVU Premium
- Similarities: Both versions offer in-app editing, automatic captions, and script import.
- Differences: The Premium version includes full access to video editing tools, branding options, and unlimited script length. These premium features enable users to create more polished and branded content, justifying the subscription cost.
- Teleprompter for Video (Free) vs. Teleprompter Pro
- Similarities: Both versions provide script scrolling, adjustable text size and speed, and the ability to use the front camera while reading the script.
- Differences: The Pro version includes unlimited scripts, remote control access, and mirror mode, offering more flexibility and efficiency for frequent content creators.
Conclusion
I honestly haven’t picked which one we are going to stick with. I think the free versions are good enough for almost every application I have planned for them. I already have access to AI that writes copy I’m happy with and even if I wanted a long form video, odds are I’m not recording a speech more than 3 minutes at a time. If I did want a long form, I would put together multiple shorter clips. I am going to keep trying them all out and utilize as many of the free trials as possible. If we do find one that ends up really being the keeper, we will update this section to reflect it, until then let us know what apps you’re using and loving!
