Choosing Your Gear

Prompter vs Prompter XL: What’s the Difference

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Both Prompter and Prompter XL help you read scripts, stay connected with your audience, and look natural on camera. They share the same single-cable setup, work with Camera Hub, and integrate with Stream Deck for easy control.

The main difference comes down to scale. Prompter is compact and designed for desktops, while Prompter XL brings a larger screen, longer reading range, and support for heavier cameras and lenses.

Let’s take a closer look.

Prompter vs Prompter XL

At a glance

  Prompter Prompter XL
Best for Desks and small rooms; solo creators Desks, studios, meeting rooms, and multi-person setups
Display 9" built-in, 1024 × 600 px 15.6" detachable, 1920 × 1080 px
Comfortable read range At your desk 3–15 ft (0.9–4.6 m); still clear on a desk with smaller text
Camera support Webcams, smartphones, action cams, DSLR and mirrorless DSLR, mirrorless, and pro rigs with longer lenses
Max lens length Up to 11 cm Up to 22 cm
Mounting 2 × ¼" threads; top cold-shoe mounts 2 × ¼" + 1 × ⅜" threads; reinforced bracket and accessory rail
Connection and power Single USB 3.0 cable USB-C 3.2 with 15 W power delivery
Software Camera Hub Camera Hub
In the box Prompter, 9 rings, 3 backplates, USB-C to USB-A cable Prompter XL, detachable display, bracket, 2 backplates, 9 rings, USB-C to USB-C cable

Display and readability

Prompter features a built-in 9-inch display that is easy to read at arm’s length. It is compact, quick to set up, and ideal for solo creators who record at their desks.

Prompter XL scales up to a 15.6-inch Full HD display with 600 nits of brightness. Text stays crisp and readable up to 15 feet away, making it great for studios, group recordings, or presentations. If you are using it at a desk, you can simply reduce the text size for comfortable viewing.

Both models use real 70/30 beamsplitter glass to ensure clear, reflection-free visibility.

Cameras, lenses, and mounting

Both Prompter and Prompter XL include nine step-up rings (49–82 mm) and interchangeable backplates that fit a variety of lenses and camera types.

Prompter supports webcams, smartphones, and mirrorless cameras, making it a flexible choice for most setups.

Prompter XL introduces a reinforced aluminum bracket and a larger universal shroud that can handle heavier rigs and longer lenses up to 22 cm. It also adds a ⅜-inch mounting thread and a top accessory rail for attaching microphones, tally lights, or transmitters.

Unlike Prompter, which can hang directly from a lens, Prompter XL must be mounted on a tripod or stand using its camera bracket. This makes it more stable for professional setups.

Power and setup

Both connect and power with a single cable.

Prompter runs on USB 3.0 and draws power directly from your computer. It is lightweight, easy to position, and ideal for close-distance shooting.

Prompter XL uses USB-C 3.2 with 15-watt power delivery. The single cable provides both power and video, and it can also connect through a powered hub or Thunderbolt dock.

Set up for both is quick. Attach your camera, plug in the cable, open Camera Hub, and you are ready to start prompting.

Software and Stream Deck Control

Both models use Elgato Camera Hub, a free desktop app that gives you full control over teleprompting and display settings.

With Camera Hub, you can:

  • Load and edit scripts.
  • Adjust font size, scrolling speed, and brightness.
  • Drag and drop any window or app onto your teleprompter like an extra monitor.
  • Use Voice Sync to scroll automatically as you speak (requires NVIDIA RTX GPU or Apple Silicon).
  • View Twitch chat or video call participants directly on-screen.
  • Control everything from Stream Deck with one tap.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Prompter if you work at a desk, sit close to the camera, or want a compact, all-in-one solution that fits into any workspace.

Choose Prompter XL if you need a larger screen, want to read from farther away, or use larger cameras and longer lenses. It is also ideal for multi-person setups, studio shoots, or professional presentations.

Both deliver clear, reliable teleprompting with real eye contact and a clutter-free setup.

Final Thoughts

Prompter keeps things simple and compact, perfect for creators who film up close. Prompter XL builds on that simplicity with a bigger display, longer read range, and pro-level camera support.

Both make it easy to look straight into the lens and speak naturally, helping you connect better with your audience.

Explore both Prompter and Prompter XL on elgato.com

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