DIY Teleprompter Setup on a Budget: Phone, Tablet & Monitor

You don't need a thousand-dollar studio rig to use a teleprompter. Here are three tiers of DIY setups — from completely free to under $200 — that cover everything from solo phone recordings to a proper glass beam-splitter.

Tier 1: Phone-Only ($0)

The simplest setup. Your iPhone or iPad is both the camera and the teleprompter. GoTeleprompter overlays your script on the camera viewfinder, so you read and record on a single device.

• What you need: iPhone or iPad + GoTeleprompter (free)
• Optional: A phone tripod ($10–20)
• Pros: Zero extra gear, portable, works anywhere
• Cons: Smaller screen than a tablet or monitor; can't use a separate camera
• Best for: TikTok, Reels, quick YouTube videos, on-location recordings

Tier 2: Tablet + Camera ($30–80)

Use a tablet (or laptop) as the teleprompter display and a separate camera (or phone) for recording.

• What you need: iPad or laptop running the web teleprompter, plus a camera or second phone for recording
• Optional: Tablet stand ($15), camera tripod ($20–40)
• Setup: Position the tablet directly below the camera lens. Tilt the tablet slightly toward you so you can read comfortably. The camera should be as close to the top edge of the tablet as possible to minimize the downward eye angle.
• Pros: Larger display, better camera quality, dual-device flexibility
• Cons: Slight downward eye angle (usually not noticeable); two devices to manage
• Best for: Sit-down YouTube, corporate video, Zoom presentations

Tier 3: Budget Glass Rig ($100–200)

A beam-splitter glass rig is what professional studios use. A piece of semi-transparent glass sits at 45° in front of the camera lens. The teleprompter text is reflected off the glass so you read it while the camera shoots straight through. The result: perfect eye contact.

• What you need: Budget prompter hood/rig ($80–150), tablet or phone as the display, your camera
• The trick: The text on your display needs to be mirrored (flipped) so it reads correctly when reflected. GoTeleprompter has built-in mirror mode — horizontal and vertical flip — for exactly this purpose.
• Pros: Broadcast-quality eye contact, professional look
• Cons: Bulkier, requires setup time, not portable
• Best for: Studio YouTube, corporate video, broadcast, stage presentations

For a deeper explanation of how mirror mode works, see our mirror mode guide.

Materials Checklist

Common DIY Mistakes

• Text too small. If you can't read comfortably without squinting, increase the font size. Use the font size calculator to find the ideal size for your distance and screen, or see our detailed font size guide.
• Wrong angle for Tier 2. The tablet should be almost directly below the lens, not off to the side. Side placement creates obvious lateral eye movement.
• Glare on glass rigs. Reduce ambient light hitting the glass. A hood or shroud around the rig blocks stray light.
• Forgetting mirror mode. If you're using a glass rig and the text looks backwards, turn on mirror mode in GoTeleprompter.