Does SurtitleLive replace QLab?

No. QLab remains a show-control environment for sound, video, lighting, and cue playback. SurtitleLive focuses on subtitle-specific preparation, cueing, projection, and audience mobile delivery.

When can QLab be enough for surtitles?

It may be enough when surtitles are only a projected cue layer inside an existing QLab show file and the production does not need script review, language selection, or audience phone delivery.

QLab for Surtitles: Show Control or Dedicated Subtitle Workflow? | SurtitleLive Planning

Short answer

QLab is excellent show-control software. SurtitleLive is not trying to replace QLab for sound, video, lighting, or general projection design. The comparison is whether surtitles are just one cue type inside a show-control workspace, or whether the production needs a dedicated subtitle workflow with script preparation, multilingual review, mobile audience access, and cue recovery.

QLab is publicly positioned as macOS software for sound, video, light, and show-control cues. That makes it a familiar technical environment for many theatre teams. It can be part of a surtitles workflow when the need is cue-based text or video output.

Review scope: public QLab product and documentation pages reviewed in May 2026. SurtitleLive is not affiliated with QLab or Figure 53. This page compares workflow fit, not the value of QLab as a show-control system.

Workflow Comparison

Decision area	QLab may fit when...	SurtitleLive may fit when...
Core use	The venue needs cue-based playback and show control for sound, video, lighting, or related outputs.	The production needs subtitle preparation, review, live cueing, projection, and audience mobile delivery.
Subtitle preparation	Surtitles are already prepared and can be treated as part of a broader cue or media workflow.	The workflow starts from script intake, AI-assisted structuring, translation, review, and cue simulation.
Audience phones	Audience mobile subtitle access is not required.	The show needs viewer links and QR-code mobile browser access.
Operator model	The technical operator already works inside QLab and wants one backstage cue environment.	Subtitle operation needs jump recovery, blackout, projection/mobile coordination, and access-team handoff.

Where QLab May Fit Better

The venue already uses QLab as the show-control center for sound, video, lighting, or projection cues.
Surtitles are only one projected cue layer inside a larger technical design.
The technical operator is already trained in QLab and does not need audience mobile delivery.
The production wants a single backstage cue environment rather than a subtitle-specific workspace.
SurtitleLive may be more than the team needs if surtitles are only a simple projected cue layer inside an existing QLab show file.

Where SurtitleLive May Fit Better

The subtitle workflow starts with a script, translation, and review rather than a finished cue list.
The production needs language selection and subtitles on audience phones.
The operator needs subtitle-specific recovery, jump, blackout, and projection/mobile coordination.
Non-QLab users such as production managers, translators, or access coordinators need a browser workspace.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing

Are surtitles only one cue layer inside a larger show-control file, or are they a workflow that needs review and handoff?
Will translators, production managers, or access coordinators need to work outside the show-control workspace?
Does the production need QR-code audience access or only projection output?
What recovery path should the subtitle operator use if the live performance moves off the expected cue sequence?

Further Planning Reading

For small-crew operator planning, continue with How to Choose an Operator Workflow for Small Crews. For backup planning, continue with How to Plan Subtitle Backup and Fallback for Live Performance.