Teleprompter - Local-first teleprompter app for natural on-camera delivery

What Exactly Is Teleprompter (and Why Should You Care)?

Let me guess — you're a content creator, a course maker, or maybe someone who has to give presentations. And you know that feeling: you're recording, you want to look into the lens, but your eyes keep darting down to your notes. Or worse, you've memorized the first 30 seconds, then blank out and have to do Take #7.

It's frustrating. And honestly, it's the reason a lot of content never gets made.

The teleprompter apps out there? They're either expensive subscriptions, or packed with features you'll never touch, or they need a stable internet connection just to scroll text. One creator put it perfectly: "Every teleprompter I tried was either expensive or buried in features I'd never use. I wanted something that opened fast, kept scripts private on-device, and stayed out of the way while I recorded."

That's exactly where Teleprompter (Scrolling Scripts) comes in. Built by independent developer Wendy Zhang — who got tired of the same bloated, overpriced tools — this app is designed for one thing: helping you read scripts naturally without memorizing every line.

Here's the deal:

• Camera Mode overlays your script on the live camera viewfinder. You look at the lens, read the text, and record — all in one screen.
• Prompter Mode is a clean text scroller. No camera. Great for rehearsals, Zoom calls, or live streaming.
• It's local-first. No internet needed. Your scripts live on your device, period.
• It's free. No mandatory subscriptions, no paywalls.
• It works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a consistent experience.

So whether you're filming a TikTok, recording a full YouTube tutorial, or walking into a boardroom pitch, Teleprompter gives you the confidence to deliver your lines like you own them.

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What Can You Actually Do With Teleprompter?

Let's skip the feature list you'd find in the App Store description. Instead, here's what the app actually lets you do in your daily workflow.

Record Video While Reading Your Script (Camera Mode)

This is the headline act. Camera Mode layers your scrolling script directly over the native camera viewfinder on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. So while you're recording, you're reading the text that's right there — near the lens — which means your eyes stay looking at the camera.

You can switch between the front and back cameras with a single tap. Front camera for selfie-style talking head videos. Back camera for product demos or desktop recordings. Both work in portrait and landscape orientation.

Rehearse or Go Live Without a Camera (Prompter Mode)

Not every situation needs you to record video. Maybe you're practicing a speech, reading from notes in a Zoom meeting, or hosting a live stream and need a script reference. Prompter Mode gives you a clean, focused text scroller — no camera overlay, no distractions. Just your words scrolling at the speed you set.

Control Everything With Your Voice

Here's a neat one. In Prompter Mode, you can control the scroll without touching your screen. Just say:

• "Next" — scrolls down three lines
• "Previous" — scrolls up three lines
• "Pause" — stops the scroll entirely

Perfect for when you're live streaming and your hands are busy, or when you're recording from a distance.

Make the Text Look Exactly How You Want

One size doesn't fit all. Maybe you're on an iPhone and want a small text block near the top. Or you're on an iPad and want bigger text with generous spacing. Teleprompter lets you adjust:

• Text area position and size
• Text color
• Line spacing
• Scroll speed (fine-grained control)

You can tweak these to match your shooting angle, lighting, and personal reading pace.

Use It Across iPhone, iPad, and Mac — Seamlessly

The same app, the same interface, on all three devices. Shoot quick clips on your iPhone, record longer courses on your iPad, or use your Mac for Zoom calls and live streams. No learning curve when switching devices. And because everything is stored locally, there's no syncing to worry about.

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Who Actually Uses Teleprompter?

The short answer: anyone who needs to deliver scripted content naturally. But let's get specific, because there's a good chance you fit into one of these buckets.

TikTok & Reels Creators

You're shooting vertical video on your iPhone. The problem? Short clips need fast turnaround, but you keep stumbling over words and re-taking. With Camera Mode + front camera, the script is right there on the screen. You look at the lens, read naturally, and wrap up in one take.

YouTube Long-Form Creators

Long scripts are hard to memorize. Really hard. With an iPad in Camera Mode, you get a larger screen with more visible text, adjustable scrolling, and the ability to run through your entire script in one go. Fewer cuts, less editing, more natural delivery.

Online Course Creators

Precision matters when you're teaching. You can't afford to skip a key point. An iPad in landscape + Teleprompter lets you deliver your curriculum section by section, with full script visibility. Your students get a polished, professional course — and you spend less time editing out mistakes.

Corporate Speakers & Executives

Communication coach James Holloway uses Teleprompter with his executive clients: "My clients are executives who need to deliver prepared remarks without sounding like they're reading. This app lets them practice at the exact scroll speed that matches their delivery. The difference in confidence is immediate."

On a Mac or iPad, you can rehearse until the pace feels natural — then walk into the room (or hop on the call) knowing your lines are covered.

Live Streamers & Podcasters

When you're live, you can't pause to check your notes. Teleprompter's Prompter Mode + voice commands means you keep the script scrolling hands-free. Say "pause" when you go off on a tangent, say "next" to move forward. Your hands stay free for interaction.

Anyone Rehearsing a Speech

Traditional rehearsal means memorization or flipping through paper notes. With Prompter Mode, you read through your speech at your own pace, adjust the speed as you get more comfortable, and build muscle memory for your delivery. Less time rehearsing, better results.

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Getting Started: From Zero to Recording in 2 Minutes

No complicated setup. No tutorials you need to watch first. Here's how you start using Teleprompter.

1. Check your device — You need an iPhone (iOS), iPad (iPadOS), or Mac (macOS). That's it.

2. Download the app — Search for "Teleprompter - Scrolling Scripts" on the App Store and install it.

3. Open and paste your script — Type directly or paste your prepared text.

4. Choose your mode:

• Camera Mode — if you want to record video with the script overlaid
• Prompter Mode — if you're rehearsing or just reading without recording

5. Adjust your scroll speed — Start a little slower than your natural reading pace. You can always speed it up.

6. Hit record (or just read) — In Camera Mode, the video records with the script visible to you only. In Prompter Mode, just read and scroll.

Quick tuning guide:

• Text area: Keep it to 2-3 lines near the camera lens — smaller = less eye movement
• Scroll speed: Slower than you think. If it feels rushed, slow it down
• Practice once: One dry run in Prompter Mode will tell you if your speed and spacing are right

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Let's Talk About the Price (Spoiler: It's Free)

Here's where Teleprompter breaks the mold.

Most teleprompter apps hit you with a subscription model. You want Camera Mode? That's premium. Voice controls? Also premium. Remove ads? You guessed it — more money.

Teleprompter doesn't do that.

The app is completely free. No subscription required. No paywalls locking features. All the core functionality — Camera Mode, Prompter Mode, voice commands, custom layouts, offline use — is available to everyone who downloads it.

If you compare it to apps like BIGVU or ProPrompter, the value difference is stark. You're getting a fully capable, professional-grade teleprompter with zero recurring cost, zero ads, and zero compromise.

Wendy built this app because she was frustrated with how expensive and bloated the alternatives were. The pricing (or lack thereof) reflects that philosophy.

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Frequently Asked Questions