Free (cost = 0)
- Hydra — ojack.xyz/work/hydra / GitHub
- Olivia Jack, debuted at the 2017 International Conference on Live Coding. Browser-based live-coded VJ with WebGL and WebRTC; sharing a URL can set up a performance. Modular-synth-style framebuffer chaining. Fast to pick up with any coding background. Trade-off: elaborate output routing or MIDI/DMX needs workarounds.
- Shadertoy — shadertoy.com
- Pol Jeremias + Inigo Quilez, launched January–February 2013. A WebGL shader sharing platform with webcam, mic, video, VR, and multi-pass inputs. More often used as a learning field and source library than a live VJ rig, but code can be edited in-browser in real time.
- Butterchurn — butterchurnviz.com / GitHub
- By jberg: a WebGL 2.0 reimplementation of the classic MilkDrop Winamp visualizer. Installable via npm / yarn. Preset-based audio-reactive visuals — a fast path to a "music-responsive" layer.
- TouchDesigner Non-Commercial — derivative.ca
- 1280 × 1280 resolution cap. No Shared Memory OP, C++ OP, or SDI OP. Non-commercial only ("You are not receiving money or compensation"). Enough to learn the tool seriously before making the commercial switch. 10 keys per account.
- Notch Builder free trial — notch.one
- Windows, matches Indie features, 60 days. After expiry a license is required, but 60 days is enough to ship one real production.
Low-cost and subscription
- VDMX6 — vidvox.net
- Mac-only, macOS 13+. $199 perpetual (VDMX6 Plus: $349). A modular VJ mixer tuned specifically to macOS over many years. Education, hobby, and upgrade discounts. VIDVOX has a long record of free long-lifetime upgrades, which earns significant trust.
- MadMapper Rental — madmapper.com
- €39 / month (excluding tax) for full access, covering projection mapping, LED, and laser (with the MadLaser module). For short-run events, renting often beats buying outright.
- Resolume Avenue — resolume.com
- €299 perpetual (1 PC, 12 months of updates). The reference live VJ GUI. Lacks Arena-only features like pixel mapping but is plenty for straightforward live mixing. Free trial is indefinite (watermarked), so hands-on evaluation is easy.
- Modul8 — garagecube.com
- €299 perpetual; $199 education. Mac-only (macOS 10.9.5–15, Apple Silicon supported). Layer-based, intuitive UI with a gentle learning curve — especially rooted in European VJ scenes.
Pro tier (perpetual or subscription)
- Resolume Arena — resolume.com
- €799 perpetual. Advanced Output with pixel mapping, LED fixture integration, DMX, lighting-desk workflows, multi-output — the feature set live pros expect. A de facto live VJ standard at clubs, festivals, and commercial shows.
- MadMapper Perpetual — madmapper.com
- From €399 perpetual. MadMapper + MadLaser bundle at €599. The default in projection-mapping work.
- TouchDesigner Commercial / Pro — derivative.ca
- Official pricing has moved to per-quote from the public pages (the older public tiers were Commercial $600 / Pro $2,200). The deepest nodal environment for generative, installation, and interactive work. Steep learning curve, high ceiling.
- Notch — notch.one (subscription only)
- Indie (non-commercial) $279/year; VFX $117/month or $1,399/year; RFX (real-time, installation, interaction) $315/month or $2,589/year. All subscription, no perpetual. Strong in large tours, Broadway, AR/XR (U2, Foo Fighters, "Frozen").
- disguise — disguise.one
- Bundled hardware-plus-software media server. Pricing is an order of magnitude higher (used 4x4pro class still commands mid five-figure USD). Built around Sphere-scale LED operations — the top tier of the industry.
Fit by use case
"One browser, one HDMI, music-reactive visuals": Hydra or Butterchurn will carry you forever, cost zero. Browser-based automated VJ tools like AUTOVJCLUB sit on the same WebGL + Web Audio foundations.
"Live VJ for DJ events, pixel mapping included": Resolume Arena (€799) is the safest bet. Ubiquitous enough that handoffs and collaborations across venues and teams stay frictionless.
"Generative, interactive, sensor-driven artistic work": TouchDesigner. The learning curve is brutal but the ceiling is uniquely high. Non-Commercial is enough for years of study before any commercial switch.
"Arena-scale, Broadway, AR/XR": Notch + disguise. The price tier is different; by the time those jobs arrive, the tool question tends to answer itself.