Every teleprompter on this page works. The interesting question is which one fits your setup, because “free” means different things in each case: a browser tool with no account, a mobile app with a paid tier behind the free one, or a professional subscription with a trial.
This comparison is honest to a fault: we build NanoPrompter and it appears in the table, but we also say where the others win. Data comes from each product’s official site; features marked as free refer to what you can use without paying, as of the date below. Prices and limits change — check the official pages before deciding.
The five options
NanoPrompter — a web teleprompter. Works in the browser on any device: computer, tablet, phone. No installation and no account. Text stays in your browser unless you create a share link.
PromptSmart — a mobile app (iOS/Android) known for voice-tracking: the scroll follows your voice and pauses when you improvise. Free version with limits; Pro is a subscription.
Teleprompter Premium (Joe Allen Programming) — a polished teleprompter app for iOS and macOS, aimed at professional use. Paid app (one-time purchase or subscription, depending on platform); often appears in “free” roundups via its trial version.
BIGVU — a teleprompter plus recording studio with AI features (captions, translation, AI scripts). Freemium subscription: the free tier is limited in recording time and exports, and it requires an account.
CapCut — the free mobile/video editor from ByteDance includes a teleprompter mode in its camera. No teleprompter-specific payment; tied to the CapCut ecosystem and some features sit behind its Pro plan.
Side by side
| NanoPrompter | PromptSmart | Teleprompter Premium | BIGVU | CapCut | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Web (any device) | iOS, Android | iOS, macOS | iOS, Android, web | iOS, Android, desktop |
| Really free | Yes, entirely | Free tier with limits | Paid (trial available) | Free tier, limited | Free with CapCut account |
| Sign-up | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Control | Keyboard + gamepad | Voice-tracking | Remotes, foot pedals, keys | Touch, some hardware | Touch |
| Mirror mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | App-dependent |
| Share script | Yes, password + 24 h expiry | In-app options | In-app options | Cloud-based | Within the app |
| Interface languages | 9 | English mainly | Several | Several | Many |
| Offline | After first load | App | App | Partly | Partly |
| Best at | Zero-friction reading anywhere | Hands-free scroll that follows your voice | Pro AV workflows on Apple | All-in-one recording + AI captions | Quick social videos |
Where each one wins
PromptSmart wins at hands-free scrolling. Its voice-tracking is genuinely useful when you improvise: the script waits for you. If your style is to wander off-script and come back, that’s a real advantage over any fixed-speed scroll. Trade-off: it’s an app, its free tier is limited, and the best features sit in the subscription.
Teleprompter Premium wins on Apple hardware. Remote controls, foot pedal support and broadcast-grade options make it the tool for people who already produce on iPhones or Macs and want every bell. Trade-off: it’s paid — we list it here because its trial is usable and it dominates “teleprompter app” searches.
BIGVU wins when you want the whole package. Teleprompter, camera, captions, AI script help — one subscription covers a small studio. Trade-off: account required, and the free tier’s limits push you towards paying sooner than the others.
CapCut wins for social-first editing. If your video goes straight into CapCut anyway, recording with its teleprompter mode saves an export step. Trade-off: it’s an editor with a teleprompter inside, not a teleprompter — fine tuning the reading experience (speed keys, gamepad, mirror for glass rigs) is limited.
NanoPrompter wins at zero friction. Open a page, paste, read: no install, no account, no limits on use. Gamepad control, mirror mode, 9 interface languages and password-protected sharing are in the free web tool. Trade-off: it’s deliberately a teleprompter, not a studio — recording, captions and editing live elsewhere.
How to choose in 30 seconds
- “I want to read a script right now on whatever device is in front of me.” → NanoPrompter.
- “I improvise and need the scroll to wait for me.” → PromptSmart.
- “I produce on iPhone/Mac and need remotes and pro options.” → Teleprompter Premium.
- “I want teleprompter + recording + captions in one subscription.” → BIGVU.
- “My videos go straight to socials via CapCut.” → CapCut.
If your conclusion is “the web one, please”, you can start reading here — it opens with an empty editor and no questions asked. Depending on what you record, there’s a workflow page for you: content creators, teachers, podcasters, speakers, church teams, webinars and video marketing. And if what you need is hardware rather than software — glass rigs, hoods, remotes — see the tablet vs physical teleprompter guide and the recommended equipment below.
Last reviewed: August 2026. If a feature or price above has changed, the official sites of each product are the source of truth.
