A practical guide for church teams
Live captions for church services
Live captions turn the words being spoken into text that people can read during the service. Logos Translate provides AI captions for English and Romanian speech, with viewers following through the browser on their own phones.
For people who find speech difficult to hear or follow, readable captions can be a useful additional way to participate. Ask congregation members what works for them, and keep other accessibility arrangements available: automated captions will not meet every person’s needs.
Captions, translated text and translated audio
These are different outputs. Knowing which one your congregation needs helps you choose the right setup and avoid paying for features you will not use.
- Source captions
- Text in the language being spoken. An English service produces English captions; a Romanian service produces Romanian captions. These are included in the standard free trial and every paid plan.
- Translated captions
- Text in another supported language. Paid plans include English-to-Romanian and Romanian-to-English translation. Additional target languages use optional monthly slots.
- Translated audio
- When enabled by the church, this optional feature reads translated output aloud in the viewer browser. Listeners opt in and use headphones. It is separate from source captions and has metered pricing; check availability on the pricing page.
What your church needs
- A Windows computer running the approved Logos Translate operator app.
- A clear speech feed from your church sound system into the computer, using an appropriate audio input or interface.
- A stable internet connection for the operator and the congregation’s viewing devices.
- A church workspace with available caption hours, and someone to check the preview during the service.
Viewers do not need the Windows app, a viewer account or a dedicated receiver. Share the reusable church link or QR code so people can open captions on a phone, tablet or computer.
Prepare the captions before Sunday
Check the audio at the source
Connect the speech feed, select the correct input and speak into the service microphone. Check the operator’s input meter and preview. A direct speech feed is usually clearer than a microphone listening to the whole room. Avoid clipping, unnecessary music and overlapping voices.
Choose the spoken language
Select English or Romanian for the speaker. Source-language captions remain available. If you have a paid plan, select the paired translation and any additional languages covered by your purchased slots.
Test the congregation’s experience
Open the church viewer link on a phone using the connection people will use during the service. Check that captions arrive, the selected language is correct and the text is comfortable to read. Test with the people who will rely on it when possible.
Share the link and keep monitoring
Display the reusable QR code and offer the link for anyone who cannot scan it. Explain that captions are automated and may contain mistakes or delays. Keep an operator checking the output and clarify important errors verbally.
English and Romanian services, with more translation options
English and Romanian are the supported spoken sources. On a paid plan, an English sermon can be translated into Romanian, and a Romanian sermon into English. The additional targets are Ukrainian, Spanish, Polish, Italian, Hungarian. These additional languages are translation outputs, not spoken inputs.
Extra simultaneous target-language slots are priced by base plan from A$5 per month, up to 5 slots. Operators can change the language assigned to a purchased slot between services. See the language overview.
What captions cannot promise
AI can mishear names, Bible references, accents and theological language. A clear audio signal helps, but no setup guarantees error-free output. Singing, multiple speakers and background sound can be particularly difficult.
Captioning software does not certify that a church has met an accessibility obligation, and automated translation is not a substitute for qualified interpretation where it is required. Discuss individual needs with the people you serve. Read the AI translation notice and limitations.
Try captions before choosing a monthly plan
A new eligible church receives 4 free hours of English or Romanian source captions to use within 30 days, with no credit card required. The standard trial excludes translated text and audio and does not automatically start a paid subscription.
Monthly plans start at A$25 in Australian dollars and include unlimited viewers, source captions and English–Romanian translation. Choose the hours your church needs, then add optional languages. Compare every plan and allowance.
Start free or ask Logos Translate support about your church’s setup.