Choosing a prompter
Manual vs. voice-activated teleprompter: which should you choose?
Manual and voice-activated teleprompters take different approaches to pacing. Consider your setting, privacy needs and how much you plan to improvise.
Updated August 23, 2026
01
When manual scrolling helps
Manual scrolling moves at a speed you choose. It is predictable in noisy rooms and does not need microphone access. Pause or adjust the speed as your delivery changes.
teleprompter.wtf uses manual scrolling. Set a speaking rate to estimate duration, then tune the scroll speed during practice.
02
When voice activation may help
Some products attempt to follow the speaker. Results depend on the room, accent, microphone and the product. Check whether speech processing happens on the device or through a service.
03
Practice with your setup
Try a short passage at the distance and font size you will use. Add line breaks at natural pauses, then rehearse with the controls you will use during the presentation.