Best Rundown Software for Live Productions in 2026 (Compared)

The rundown is the source of truth for a live show: who is on camera, which graphic rolls, and when the next cue fires. We compared the tools producers actually use in 2026 so you can pick the right one for broadcasts, esports, festivals, churches and corporate livestreams.

What makes great rundown software?

Live multiuser editing
Everyone works in the same rundown without conflicts or lag.

Reliability
Autosave, version safety and stable sync under show pressure.

Broadcast-native tools
Timing and over/under, a showcaller, a teleprompter, asset lists.

Simple but powerful
Feels like a spreadsheet, performs like a pro system.

Pro tip: judge tools on outcomes (on-time shows, fewer errors, faster prep) rather than raw feature checklists.

Top rundown tools in 2026

1) Google Sheets (Free)

Pros: Free, familiar, instantly shareable.

Cons: Not built for broadcast: no timing cues, fragile collaboration, easy to overwrite mid-show.

Best for: tiny teams just getting started.

2) Lasso (formerly ShoFlo)

Pros: Established in corporate AV, timing features, widely adopted by event producers.

Cons: Higher cost, heavier interface, can feel rigid for fast, digital-first shows.

Best for: traditional corporate events with larger budgets.

3) Rundown Creator

Pros: Script workflows, used in some news and broadcast environments.

Cons: Legacy interface, steeper onboarding, less flexible for mixed crews.

Best for: newsrooms or tightly scripted shows.

4) Rundown Studio

Pros: Clean modern interface, real-time collaboration, popular with streaming and event teams.

Cons: Fewer live-show controls once the clock is running, and timing tools are lighter than a dedicated showcaller.

Best for: small to mid-size event and streaming teams.

5) Cuer

Pros: Real-time multiuser sync, a showcaller that records how every segment actually ran against the plan and shows over/under at a glance, a built-in teleprompter, an AD view for the director, read-only share links with optional passwords, comments and @mentions on any cell, Cuer AI for templates and edits, Blueprints that turn a rundown into graphics and asset lists, CSV import, saved layouts, and full iPad and phone support. Available in ten languages with two-factor authentication.

Cons: A newer entrant than the legacy tools, though it now runs shows from the Esports World Cup to weekly church services.

Best for: modern productions that need speed, clarity and collaboration without enterprise pricing. Cuer is broadcast rundown software for live production, and the free plan is genuinely free.

Comparison at a glance

Software	Free Tier	Live Editing	Showcaller Tools	Teleprompter	Pricing	Best For
Google Sheets	✅	✅ (fragile under load)	❌	❌	Free	Beginners, ad-hoc shows
Lasso (ShoFlo)	❌	✅	✅	❌	Paid	Corporate AV
Rundown Creator	❌	✅	Partial	✅	Paid	Newsrooms
Rundown Studio	Limited	✅	Partial	❌	Free to paid	Streaming and event teams
Cuer	✅	✅ (real-time)	✅ (integrated, with recorded timing)	✅	Free to paid	Esports, festivals, studios, churches

Feature availability summarised at a high level. Evaluate against your own workflow and crew size.

Why Cuer leads in 2026

Live multiuser sync: producers, directors, TDs and clients collaborate on one rundown with no delay.
A showcaller that keeps the record: over/under, cue-by-cue alignment, and the actual start and end of every segment under the plan, so the post-show review is already written.
Built for the whole room: teleprompter, AD view, and read-only links mean talent, the director and the client are all reading the same page.
Modern and accessible: works on iPad and phone, ten languages, two-factor authentication, and a free plan that does not expire.

Bottom line

Spreadsheets are fine until the clock starts. Legacy tools are capable but heavy. If you want a rundown that keeps everyone in sync and tells you exactly where the show stands, start with Cuer.

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