System requirements for Windows and macOS
Which computer ChristChant needs for one screen, a main-plus-stage setup, or a whole building, on Windows and macOS.
On this page
ChristChant runs on Windows and macOS. This guide helps you decide whether the computer you already have is enough, or what to buy if it isn't. The short version: a single screen runs on an ordinary modern laptop, and it is the number of screens you drive, and whether you stream, that decides how much computer you need.
Operating system
| Platform | Supported | Not supported |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64-bit | Windows 7, Windows 8 and 32-bit editions |
| macOS | macOS 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple silicon or Intel | macOS 10.15 Catalina and earlier |
| Other | Not applicable | Linux, ChromeOS and virtual machines |
Virtual machines are not recommended because multi-screen output and video playback need direct access to the graphics hardware.
Pick the setup that matches your Sunday
Count the outputs you will drive at the same time, such as the congregation screen, a stage monitor, a lobby TV and a stream, then read the row that fits.
One screen
A lobby laptop or a small chapel with a single projector or TV.
| Spec | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 4 cores. Intel Core i3 (8th gen) or AMD Ryzen 3 and newer | Apple M1 or newer, or an Intel Mac from 2018 with a quad-core i5 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics | Integrated is fine | Built in |
| Storage | 5 GB free, plus room for your own media | 5 GB free, plus room for your own media |
| Displays | 1 output at 1080p | 1 output at 1080p |
Main screen plus stage
A congregation screen and a stage or confidence monitor, driven independently.
| Spec | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 6 cores. Intel Core i5 (10th gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 and newer | Apple M1 or M2 with 16 GB. Intel Macs need a 6-core i7 or better |
| Memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Recent integrated or entry discrete, with two video outputs on the machine | Built in |
| Storage | SSD with 10 GB free | SSD with 10 GB free |
| Displays | 2 outputs at 1080p, plus the controller display | 2 outputs at 1080p, plus the built-in display |
Whole building
Sanctuary, stage, lobby and overflow screens, with or without a live stream.
| Spec | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8 cores or more. Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 and newer | Apple M-series Pro or Max |
| Memory | 16 GB, or 32 GB if you stream | 16 GB, or 32 GB if you stream |
| Graphics | Dedicated GPU with a free port per output, such as NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX or AMD RX class | Built in. Pro and Max GPUs have the output count the base chips lack |
| Storage | NVMe SSD with 20 GB free | 20 GB free. Keep recordings on an external SSD |
| Displays | 4 or more outputs | 4 or more outputs |
Check your computer in a minute
The system requirements page (opens in a new tab) has a planner that shows the spec sheet for your platform and setup, and a button that reads your core count and memory from the browser. It cannot see your graphics card or displays, so treat the result as a first look.
On Windows
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Open the Performance tab.
- Read the cores under CPU, the total under Memory, and the GPU entry for your graphics card.
On macOS
- Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
- Read the Chip or Processor and Memory lines.
- Open System Settings, then Displays, to see how many screens the Mac currently recognises.
Gear that works with ChristChant
- SDI output: Blackmagic DeckLink cards can carry any output to broadcast and video-wall hardware.
- NDI: receive NDI sources and send outputs across your network. A wired gigabit connection keeps it steady.
- Cameras and capture cards: anything your operating system recognises. Allow camera access when asked.
- Microphone and talkback: any microphone your computer already recognises. On macOS, allow microphone access on first use.
- Phone remote: your phone controls ChristChant over local Wi-Fi, so it only needs to share a network with the booth computer.
- Projectors and screens: anything the computer sees as a display, whether HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C or a network extender.
What you do not need
- Microsoft Office or PowerPoint. Decks open natively.
- An internet connection on Sunday. Signing in and updates happen when you are online, and the service itself runs offline.
- A separate Bible app. Scripture is bundled and searchable.
- Extra video or audio plugin packs. The encoder and codecs ship inside the installer.
Common questions
Does ChristChant run on Linux or a Chromebook?
Not at this time. ChristChant is built for Windows and macOS only.
Do I need a powerful computer?
Only for bigger setups. A single screen runs on an ordinary modern laptop. The number of simultaneous outputs, and whether you stream, push the requirements up.
Can I run it on a virtual machine?
We do not recommend it. Multi-screen output and video playback need direct access to the graphics hardware, which virtual machines rarely provide.
My computer is below the spec for my setup. What now?
Try the next smaller setup first, for example run the stage screen from a second machine or drop the stream. If it still stutters, the usual fixes are more memory, an SSD, or a dedicated graphics card.
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More in Getting started
- Install ChristChant and put your first song on screenDownload the installer, sign in or try it as a guest, and get lyrics on your projector in about ten minutes.
- Find your way around the workspaceA map of the ChristChant window: where you plan, where you prepare, what goes live, what the congregation sees, and the controls along the top.
- Keyboard shortcuts and how to change themThe default keys for the app, the live controller and song sections, and how to remap any of them with Key Mapping.
- General settings: church profile, appearance, startup and auto saveWhere to set your church name and logo, switch between dark and light, start ChristChant with the computer, and let it save your service automatically.